Breath of Joy
2. Encounters
3. Little Sunflower
4. Moon Represents My Heart
5. The Running Stream
6. Anhui
7. Jasmine Flower
8. On and On
In the vibrant cabarets and nightclubs of 1920s Shanghai, jazz came alive—swinging with the energy of American big bands while weaving in the soulful melodies of Chinese folk traditions. A century later, that captivating fusion continues to evolve, and today, we honor that legacy with Jasmine Jazz's Breath of Joy.
Winner of the 2023 Western Canadian Music Instrumental Artist of the Year Award, Jasmine Jazz reimagines the exquisite interplay between traditional Chinese and jazz instruments, blending them into a rich, contemporary sound. Led by Juno-nominated bassist and composer Jodi Proznick, this extraordinary ensemble brings together three acclaimed musicians from the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble—Jirong Huang (erhu), Sarah Yusha Tan (guzheng), and Zhongxi Wu (suona)—alongside some of Vancouver’s finest jazz artists: Bill Coon (guitar), James Danderfer (clarinet/sax), and special guest percussionist Liam MacDonald.
Jazz is interpreted through traditional Chinese instruments; traditional and contemporary Chinese music is given a new life through jazz.
According to Proznick, Jasmine Jazz is “… all about musical conversations, an east meets west experience, full of beauty, harmony, mutual respect, and interplay.
Click on image for musician bios
01
No Right Turn
Composer: Jodi Proznick
No Right Turn is a new composition written by Jodi Proznick. She used a crazy time signature creating an off-kilter feeling. It explores the idea of questioning what is right and the radical acceptance of what is, leaning into its limitations.
"Writing for Chinese instruments presents challenges with limited scales but offers polyrhythmic opportunities. It's not just a problem; it's an opportunity, mirroring life's complexities." --Jodi Proznick
02
Encounters
Composer: James Danderfer
Encounters is melodically inspired by Chinese Traditional music, rhythmically inspired by 12/8 Afro-Cuban music, and all wrapped up in the most essential song form of jazz music, the blues.
03
Little Sunflower
Composer: Freddie Hubbard
Arranger: James Danderfer
Trumpet player Freddie Hubbard wrote Little Sunflower for his 1967 release of Backlash (Atlantic). Vocalist Al Jarreau later wrote haunting lyrics and recorded another version with Hubbard.
Glowing like a sun
Warming everyone
Will you walk with me?
Rain and winter snow
Only help you grow
Won’t you walk with me
More and more each hour
Like a precious little flower.
04
Moon Represents My Heart
月亮代表我的心
Lyrics by Sun Yi (孫儀)
Music by Weng Ching-hsi (翁清溪)
Arranger: Bill Coon
Moon Represents My Heart was first performed by Chen Fen-lan (陳芬蘭) in 1972 or 1973 but was made famous by Teresa Teng later in 1977. For several decades until the late 1970s, foreign music had not been allowed into mainland China. "The Moon Represents My Heart" became one of the first popular foreign songs, known as "gangtai" (港台), under China’s new Open Door Policy.
05
The Running Stream
Arranged by Sarah Tan
"The Running Stream" is a famous folk song from Yunnan, China. It paints a peaceful and beautiful scene of a bright moon, a gentle breeze, and a flowing river, expressing a longing for a simple and pure life.
I remember one night during my trip to Yunnan, walking through an alley lined with ancient architecture, yet filled with modern bars on both sides.
The atmosphere was both quiet and lively, blending tradition with modernity, as if history and the present met in that moment.
This is exactly why I chose to adapt this song—bringing vibrant colors into its melody and giving this ancient poetic beauty a new expression within the rhythm of modern city life.
06
Anhui
Composer: James Danderfer
My original "Anhui" was inspired by a rather long bus trip I took through Anhui province, China. I had just visited the famous Yellow Mountain and was on my way back to Shanghai when I was duped into paying the 3 hour "express" bus price for a 10 hour (really not express) bus trip which weaved throughout many small villages in the countryside before arriving at my intended destination. Once I got over my initial frustration (and it took a while), I was able to appreciate the incredibly unique experience. Not only witnessing the beautiful countryside throughout the day, but also seeing farmers till their fields with water buffalo, families waiting patiently by the side of a dirt road to send off loved ones to the "big city," and strangers striking up conversation and laughing to pass the time. When I finally arrived in Shanghai, it was nightfall, and I felt that I'd seen a beautiful, unhurried movie of life outside of the city. -- James Danderfer
07
Jasmine Flower 茉莉花
Traditional
Arranger: Jodi Proznick
This popular Chinese folk song dates back to the 18th century. In time, many regional variations were created, and the song gained popularity both in China and abroad. It has been used during events such as 2004 Summer Olympics, 2008 Summer Olympics and 2010 Shanghai Expo opening ceremony, and controversially during the 2011 Chinese protests.
08
On and On
Composer: Jodi Proznick
Bassist Jodi Proznick wrote On and On on a fall afternoon during the pandemic. The 3/4 time and guitar ostinato was meant to give a sense of the earth spinning - a fact that remains true no matter what is happening in our life. Life does go on and on. Jodi penned haunting poetry to go with the melody.
Sunny days/ Simple ways/ To make myself feel better/ Leaves are falling/ Heart is opening today/ Cup of tea/ You see me/ Sitting on the couch dreaming/ where do we go from here?/ where do we go from here?/ life goes on and on/ life goes on and on/ life goes on and on/
I see you/ feeling blue/ I feel your heart that’s broken/ sunny days/ simple ways/ have ended/ look at me/ you will see/ I want you to fly/ where do we go from here?/ where do we go from here?/ life goes on and on/ life goes on and on/ life goes on and on/ -- Jodi Proznick
09
Breath of Joy
Composer: Bill Coon
This composition aims to express the feeling I have while doing the pranayama practice called Breath of Joy. Three smaller sips of air followed by a long exhale while exclaiming ha! creates a wonderful flow of energy. Do this a number of times and you will feel ready for anything! I will admit that sometimes my writing tends towards the introspective, often creating a reflective mood, so instead my purpose for this commission was to create music that gives the listener a lift and a surge of positive energy.
The overall form of this piece is ABC. The first A focuses on building energy through rhythm. Because I can’t seem to completely abandon the idea of presenting at least one slower, introspective element, the guzheng begins with a short, out-of-time, improvised section. Soon however, the guzheng plays a steady repeated figure. The guitar answers with a similar melody, and as more of the instruments are added, an insistent forward momentum is created. The rhythmic texture continues to build as the bass enters, and then a rising line played by the clarinet and erhu finally breaks the tension and brings us into a new key center.
The middle B section is written in a more traditional song form in ¾ time. There are improvised solos by clarinet and guitar. Afterwards the melody is reprised by the sheng and the erhu.
During the final C section, the guzheng plays a slightly altered version of the repeated figure we heard at the beginning, with the guitar joining in the conversation. The other instruments are added, creating an increasingly busier texture, reminiscent of the A section. The erhu and clarinet play a rising line with the guzheng having the final word. It is a true pleasure to write music for this unique ensemble that is a collaboration of Chinese and Jazz sensibilities.
10
Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
Arranged by Zhongxi Wu
As a new immigrant, when you just come to a new land where you don't know anyone, maybe don't have any friends, sometimes you feel you have a hard time at work or normal life. I remember sitting in Washington Park in New York when I just came to North America, watching kids with their families and friends, talking and laughing, and missing my home. This song brings up some of those feelings of being disconnected and disoriented, like a motherless child.
11
Dreams Link
(Fantasies Behind the Pearly Curtain)
Arranged by Jirong Huang
"Dreams Link" is a well-known classic song that touches the soul. It was written by the famous Taiwanese novelist Qiong Yao and composed by Liu Jiachang. First released in 1974, this song depicts a poignant and romantic picture through its melodious and affectionate melody, which has become an impressionable memory in the hearts of many people.
This piece transcends time because of its beautiful and mournful melody. It also deeply explores the common emotional experiences in human nature - loneliness, desire, love, and dreams. Everyone may have a dream hidden in their heart. It may be an unfulfilled wish or an unspeakable love. These dreams constitute the softest part of our hearts. "Dreams Link" uses music as a bridge to connect every soul that desires to be understood, allowing people to find resonance in listening and feel the warmth of being understood.
12
Contemplation
Composer: McCoy Tyner
Arranger: Jodi Proznick
This composition is from McCoy Tyner’s critically acclaimed 1967 album The Real McCoy (Blue Note Records). There is a meditative energy to the album and a reverence for life itself. McCoy describes Contemplation as:
“… the sound of a man alone. A man reflecting on what religion means to him, reflecting on the meaning of life."
It seems fitting to bring this song to this beautiful garden - a place designed for humans to taste this deep tranquility, contemplation and beauty.
13
Autumn Leaves
Composer: Joseph Kosma Lyrics: Johnny Mercer
Arranger: Bill Coon
The classic jazz standard Autumn Leaves was originally a 1945 French song, "Les Feuilles mortes" (literally "The Dead Leaves"), with music by Hungarian-French composer Joseph Kosma . This piece was derived from a ballet called Rendez-vous, written for Roland Petit. It was partly borrowed from Poème d'octobre by Jules Massenet with lyrics by French poet Jacques Prévert. The English lyrics were penned by the great Johnny Mercer.
14
Yago
Composer: Bill Coon
Practicing Yoga has been a great help to me over the years. Yago in my musical tribute to this ancient mind-body practice. Over time, I have been able to understand that Yoga is not just about practicing poses but also about practicing self-reflection, gratitude, living in the moment, and loving kindness. Yago is a slow, thoughtful, meditative song that reminds me to take time to simply be. I dedicate this version to my long-time yoga teacher and friend Shannon Piedt. -- Bill Coon
15
Ye Shanghai
夜上海
Composer: Chen Gexin （陳歌辛
Arranger: James Danderfer
"Ye Shanghai" was less of an arrangement, as it was taken straight from the original recording, and more of an interpretation, especially during the solos which took on a more New Orleans type of feel. I was introduced to this song by Shanghai singer Jasmine Chen with whom I used to play at a club on The Bund (a well-known historical part of Shanghai). To me, the song conjures images of Shanghai in the 20s, still very new to Western influence but embracing it with zeal.
-- James Danderfer
