On November 21, 2024, celebrated bassist and composer Vincent Hsu will perform his acclaimed work, “Music for the River Jazz Suite, The Spirit of Love River & Mississippi River”, at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (NJMH), New York. This eagerly awaited performance will mark the launch of Hsu's U.S. tour. Through this suite, Hsu pays homage to two rivers that hold special significance: Taiwan’s Love River in Kaohsiung, his hometown, and the Mississippi River, which is integral to New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Following the performance in New York City, Hsu and his ensemble will continue their tour with stops in Houston and New Orleans.
The tour stems from a digital collaboration initiated during the pandemic between the Taipei Cultural Center in New York (TCC), Vincent Hsu Ensemble, and NJMH. Their virtual project, “Jazz Changed, Jazz Changes, Jazz Changin”, was recorded across scenic Taiwanese landscapes and reached a global audience of over 1,900 viewers during Rhode Island’s FirstWorks Festival. This performance introduced international audiences to Taiwan’s vibrant jazz scene, combining Hsu's original compositions with engaging interviews exploring jazz’s cultural legacy.
The musicians include Vincent Hsu on double bass, Donald Harrison on alto saxophone, Alex Norris on trumpet, Ivan Renta on tenor saxophone, Zaccai Curtis on piano, and Joel Mateo on drums. This remarkable collaboration with esteemed U.S. musicians transcends borders as they come together to perform “The Spirit of the River”, which DownBeat Magazine recognized as a 2023 Editors’ Pick and awarded a stellar four-star review.
The performance will also feature Hsu’s latest work, “Bulan Purnama (Full Moon)”, inspired by the traditional Indonesian gamelan music of Bali and infused with Latin jazz rhythms. This composition reflects Hsu’s exploration of rhythmic and harmonic connections between Taiwan and other cultures, showcasing his innovative contributions to contemporary jazz.
NJMH’s invitation to the Vincent Hsu Jazz Band underscores a growing cultural exchange that highlights the unique contributions of Taiwanese jazz to the global music community. This tour promises to bring the beauty and depth of Taiwanese jazz to U.S. audiences, bridging cultures and continents through music. Join this evening of vibrant jazz, where Afro-Cuban rhythms and Taiwanese elements converge for a performance that celebrates the shared currents of music and spirit.
Performance Details:
Music for the River Jazz Suite: The Spirit of Love River & Mississippi River
Date: November 21, 2024, at 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Location: National Jazz Museum in Harlem(58 W 129th St Ground Floor, 2203, New York, NY 10027, USA)
Tickets: https://jmih.org/event/vincent-hsu-sextet-with-special-guest-donald-harrison%e3%80%8amusic-for-the-river-jazz-suite-the-spirit-of-love-river-mississippi-river%e3%80%8b/