Blood

"Blood," the 2018 release from violinist and composer Jason Kao Hwang, is a captivating journey into the realms of free jazz and avant-garde music. Recorded over two days in March 2018, this album is a testament to Hwang's enduring presence in New York's Lower East Side avant-garde scene. With a multicultural ensemble featuring Taylor Ho Bynum on cornet and flugelhorn, Joseph Daley on tuba, Andrew Drury on drums, Ken Filiano on string bass, Sun Li on pipa, Steve Swell on trombone, and Wang Guowei on erhu, "Blood" is a sonic exploration that defies conventional boundaries.

The album, released on True Sound, is a single, continuous piece of music lasting 47 minutes, divided into five distinct sections for convenience: "Breath Within the Bomb," "Surge, Pt. 1," "Surge, Pt. 2," "Evolution," and "Declarations." Hwang's compositions are both captivating and demanding, inviting listeners to engage with a rich tapestry of sounds that blend jazz with traditional music from various cultures. The ensemble's interplay is intuitive and cohesive, with unison themes and collective improvisations that create a dynamic and articulate musical experience. "Blood" is not just an album; it's a bold statement from one of the most original voices in contemporary jazz, pushing the boundaries of what the genre can be.