Most of the selections on this CD (including "A Night In Tunisia," "Never Give Up," "Butterfly Lovers Song" and the four-part "Concerto for Jazz Ensemble and Taiko") had been recorded on pianist Jon Jang's previous Never Give Up! on the AsianImprov label. However, these renditions were cut live, and after two more years of familiarizing themselves with the music, Jang's Pan-Asian Arkestera was able to perform versions that were generally superior to the earlier effort. Consisting of three reeds, trumpeter John Worley, ...
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Most of the selections on this CD (including "A Night In Tunisia," "Never Give Up," "Butterfly Lovers Song" and the four-part "Concerto for Jazz Ensemble and Taiko") had been recorded on pianist Jon Jang's previous Never Give Up! on the AsianImprov label. However, these renditions were cut live, and after two more years of familiarizing themselves with the music, Jang's Pan-Asian Arkestera was able to perform versions that were generally superior to the earlier effort. Consisting of three reeds, trumpeter John Worley, trombonist Jeff Cressman, bassist Mark Izu, drummer Anthony Brown and Susan Hayase on taiko (a Japanese drum) along with the pianist/leader, the Arkestra displays a highly original sound, blending together advanced jazz with strong hints of traditional Chinese music. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi
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