The Taipei Cultural Center in New York and FirstWorks will present a live performance film created by Taiwanese jazz artist Vincent Hsu (徐崇育) and his ensemble, Soy La Ley Afro-Cuban Jazz Band (Soy La Ley古巴爵士樂團).
The band's newest program of 《Jazz Changed, Jazz Changes, Jazz Changin'》live performance film will be streaming at FirstWorks' Facebook on Nov. 12, 8 PM ET.
"How has jazz changed the world? How is it changing the world? How has jazz itself changed?" Reflecting on these questions, Hsu's film is a thrilling tribute to a uniquely African American art form, and an acknowledgment of the indelible impact jazz has left on people and societies around the world.
Featuring impeccable sound and spectacular settings unique to this island nation, the performance film reflects both the everyday and traditional life in Taiwan, while showing that jazz is alive and well beyond its birthplace.
Interview clips with prominent musicians and scholars are also featured, including with Hsu's mentor, the legendary bassist Cecil McBee, historian Loren Schoenberg, drummer and educator Jerome Jennings, and poet and writer Naomi Extra.
Formed in 2010, Vincent Hsu & Soy La Ley Afro-Cuban Jazz Band aims to infuse their Taiwanese roots to the practices of jazz and Afro-Cuban music style, leading audiences to experience the unpredictability of jazz improvisation through Afro-Cuban rhythms.
Born in Changhua, Taiwan, Hsu is an award-winning bassist and composer who fuses jazz and Afro-Cuban music with his Taiwanese roots. He has been leading the band and touring worldwide, including Madrid International Jazz Festival, Busan Jazz Festival, Taichung Jazz Festival, National Theater & Concert Hall Summer Jazz Festival, and Macau Jazz Festival, among others.