Stephanie Chou: Comfort Girl Album Preview
https://publictheater.org/productions/joes-pub/2024/s/stephanie-chou/
Time & Location
Apr 05, 2024, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003, United States
About the event
COMFORT GIRL is an 80-minute song-cycle inspired by true stories of Asian "comfort women" abducted into sexual slavery by the Japanese army during WWII. It is not only a groundbreaking fusion of East-West musical traditions, but has also sparked public dialogue on a formerly taboo subject that still resonates globally for women today. Based on survivor testimony, the jazz-opera/song-cycle gives voice to the 200,000+ women and survivors who were silenced for 50 years.
Created/composed by Stephanie Chou, an American jazz composer/saxophonist/singer who blends influences from her Chinese heritage with Western jazz and pop to create a bracingly original sound.
“A stunning work that not only shines light on a dark chapter of history but also feels inspirational for contemporary listeners.” – DownBeat
COMFORT GIRL had its world premiere in March 2019 at Joe's Pub. Tonight we will preview the release of the recorded album version - the full realization of the piece!
Stephanie Chou - voice, alto saxophone, compositions
Lito Villareal - voice
Andy Lin - erhu, viola, violin
Or Matias - piano
Dave Hertzberg - bass
Ronen Itzik - drums, percussion
Originally commissioned by the American Composers Forum, with additional support from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council; Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship; OPERA America, American Opera Project.
Tonight's concert is supported by a 2023 grant from Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects program, funded through the generosity of The Howard Gilman Foundation, for the Comfort Girl studio recording.