Born in Illinois from Taiwanese and East Timorese parents, Jen Shyu is a vocalist, composer, improviser, multi-instrumentalist (piano, moon lute, er hu, and violin), and dancer. She is currently a core member of saxophonist Steve Coleman's Five Elements. As a soloist and bandleader now based in New York City, Shyu has focused on expanding the possibilities of voice and dance in the improvisational, experimental jazz, and creative music worlds. She also continues a dying Taiwanese folk tradition on the 2-stringed Taiwanese moon guitar, recently named the first "Ambassador of Hengchun Folk Music" by Hengchun's mayor.
Reservations are must, cover charge is $10 plus a one drink minimum. For reservations call 212-989-9319 or visit http://www.corneliastreetcafe.com.
The Cornelia Street Cafe is located at 29 Cornelia Street between West 4th and Bleecker Sts, Greenwich Village, NYC, New York. Take the 1 Subway to Sheridan Square; A, C, E, B, D, V, F to West 4th St.
Her work is influenced by collaborations with Asian Improv aRts artists during her 3 years in the Bay Area after graduating from Stanford University, her work with the late great poet Sekou Sundiata, duo projects with pianist Dave Burrell, bassist Mark Dresser, guitarist Miles Okazaki, Beijing-based guqin player Wu Na, dancer Satoshi Haga, actress Soomi Kim; playing with a wide range of artists on the burgeoning improvisational scene and her band members Thomas Morgan, David Binney, Shane Endsley, Dan Weiss, and David Bryant. Shyu is deeply influenced by folk and aboriginal music of Taiwan, research in Cuba and Brazil, and a lifetime of classical training in piano, violin, ballet, and opera. She has been awarded fellowships/commissions from the MacDowell Colony, Asian Cultural Council, Jerome Foundation, Roulette Space, Jazz Gallery, and the Bronx Council on the Arts.
For more information visit http://yoonsunchoi.com/ or http://www.jenshyu.com/.
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