Jen Shyu - For Now (2002)

From Dr. Herb Wong in "Jazz Perspectives," International Association for Jazz Education Journal, November/December 2002: 'JEN SHYU. "For Now," 4AM Music ANA2002. A new singer meriting close attention, Jen Shyu's jazz craft and sensibilities are contagious without pause on "For Now." With blithesome warmth she establishes a personal code of prompt connection and spirit. On this CD of 11 cuts, she draws on color, novel treatments, instrumental soloists, and energy of the total group. Their rapport shows up the effects of playing together as a collective for some two years in various configurations. Saxophonist Francis Wong, the lone horn player, is highly reputed for his captivating improvisations; he is responsible for motivating Shyu to sing in an open manner on Lover Man, deserting the straight-ahead stance she previously adhered to on the tune. An unbounded mix of songs offers a spread of sources and challenges, illustrating Shyu's versatility and adventuresomeness. Some highlights include the percussive flavors on Caravan, an atmospheric Nature Boy without signs of tethering to form but revea! ling Shyu's radar sensitivity to its lyric line and space, and the strong rhythmic feel of Summertime sticking out among countless other versions. Germane to her Asian cultural ties, her gentle voice is haunting on Spring Flowre Waiting For Dew. Again was catapulted as a 1954 Vic Damone hit ercord from the flick "Roadhouse"; Shyu does the tune more than justice. Complemented by a band of San Francisco Bay Area stalwarts--percussionist Jimmy Biala, bassist John-Carlos Perea, pianists Dee Spencer and Art Hirahara, plus Francis Wong, Jen Shyu meshes her soulfulness with integrity and élan. "For Now" is a bright forecast for later!' ~Dr. Herb Wong in "Jazz Perspectives," International Association for Jazz Education Journal, November/December 2002

Born from immigrant parents of East Timor (an island off the northwest coast of Australia) and Taiwan, Jen Shyu dances, plays piano and violin, and sings jazz, opera, Cuban, new music, and other styles throughout the Bay Area. Jen studied opera at Stanford University (B.A. '00), Lake Placid Institute in New York, Oxford University, and the Mozarteum in Austria. She performed the 3rd movement of Tschaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1 at age 13 with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. She released her debut jazz album "For Now" in May 2002 and has performed at the San Jose Jazz Festival with Jimmy Biala's Con Alma and the Asian American Jazz Festivals in San Francisco and Chicago. As a dancer, Jen started ballet training at age 5 with the Peoria Ballet Company in her home state of Illinois and was "en pointe" at age 13, dancing roles such roles as Clara in the Nutcracker. She studied jazz dance under Robert Moses and contact improvisation under Tony Kramer at Stanford. She has ventured into flamenco and studied salsa dance, piano, and singing through Plazacuba.com. She currently works with Gathering of Ancestors, Francis Wong, Jon Jang, Lewis Jordan, Doug Yokoyama, Art Hirahara, Dee Spencer, among many others. She is a 2002-03 recipient of the California Arts Council Next Generation grant under Asian Improv aRts. Shyu is currently traveling between Taiwan and Cuba doing research on Taiwanese folk and aboriginal music as well as the Chinese community in Cuba.