Live On is a live concert recording dedicated to the life and memory of Joshua Bell (1996-2021). It consists of original compositions and arrangements of Jazz standards. Listeners are taken on a journey through time, space, rain and pain, emerging joyously in a dance that celebrates life. Special thanks to my trio partners, Ori and Mitch, without whom these compositions and performances would not be what you hear today.
Live On – Joy Yang
2024
Executive Producer: Tatsu Aoki
Producer: Joy Yang
Production Coordinator: Rika LinRecorded on April 21, 2022. 7:30 pm at Smith Memorial Hall, Room 25, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign by Graham Duncan
Mixed and Mastered by Graham Duncan
Video by Graham Duncan
Photography: Andy Zalot
Drawing of Joshua Bell: Josh Bell (Mercy, Mercy, Mercy), 2021 by Kinsey FitzgeraldGraphic Design by Al Brandtner, Brandtner Design
Special thanks to Professors Tatsu Aoki, John “Chip” Stephens, Jason Finkelman, Jim Pugh, Craig Deets, Joshua Bell, Ori and Mitch for making this possible.
Compositions Tracks 1,2,3,6 and 8 © 2021 Joy Yang
Compositions Track 4 © 1965 & 1970 Alan Jay Lerner & Burton Lane.
Compositions Track 5 © 1932 WB Music Corp, USA
Compositions Track 7 © Chip Stephens
Tracks Published by Yang Yang Music - ASCAP
Album Published by Asian Improv Records1. JOY YANG (b. 1994) - Wake Me Again
2. JOY YANG - CAN U C M3?
3. JOY YANG - Parallel Universe
4. BURTON LANE (1912-1997) - On a Clear Day
5. COLE PORTER (1891-1964) - Night and Day
6. JOY YANG - Brief
7. CHIP STEPHENS (b. 1964) - Lover’s Rain Dance
8. JOY YANG - DANCE!Joy Yang - piano
Mitchell Maftean - double bass
Ori Sergel - drum set“Wake Me Again…wake me again…again…again..
If you’d be the one…Wake Me Again”
A frozen heart, slowly defrosting.
CAN U C M3?
“The window, an eye, into the soul, looking out, or looking in?
The curtains of your eyelids, Can U C M3?”
Parallel Universe, like Wake Me Again, is based on a twelve tone row. Parallel Universe uses twelve notes formed into four modules of three-tone clusters each using half steps intervals of 024. The chords from these formed the basis of this composition. I am fascinated by the parallel worlds of experiencing music, time, tonality and harmony in both the jazz and classical world. The spiritual element is also something that Josh and I shared in common. In the B section, the same twelve tone row appears in order, but in a more spacious, floating, weightlessly-free way. Whether we are working with a determined descending bass line, or (day) dreaming, these universes share the same elements. The C section, an unexpected third world, foretelling my more recent fascination with third culture liminal identity, is the waltzing glue that ties these two contrasting worlds together.
On a Clear Day was selected for brilliant pedagogue, trumpeter and mentor, luminescent urbanessence Tito Carrillo. Tito and Josh both ooze joy, sass, and swing.
Josh was a spirited musician, friend, educator, composer, run club, workout and study buddy, writer..I miss Josh dearly, but his passion for learning, for integrating life, nature, spirituality and music, his dedication to excellence, his deep, inquisitive mind and compassionate open heart will always be with us.
Night and Day, you are the one…
Studying the Great American Songbook with Dr. Jeffrey Magee and arranging tunes with Josh was a transformative semester for me. Listening to Josh’s playing daily during the pandemic and composing a piano duo with him inspired my musical growth and brought us closer together.
“I think of you, night and day…”
Josh was known for how he could shred rhythm changes on the piano and melodica. Brief, a rhythm changes tune, was one of the first compositions I wrote in Champaign whilst studying with Jim Pugh. The live recording date marks the date that my mother first arrived in Sydney, Australia from China in 1990, and also the date our family immigrated from South Africa to Australia in 2001.
Lover’s Rain Dance, a standard in the Jazz Real Books, is dedicated to my jazz piano professor, John “Chip” Stephens. Chip provided me the opportunity to change paths from the DMA in Classical Piano Performance and Literature to pursue the Doctor of Jazz Piano Performance. Josh and I were both doctoral jazz piano students under Professor Stephens, who profoundly affected us both. Thank you, Chip Stephens, for being my encourager, guide and light in dark times, who taught me to “find myself” in the music, and play to the “spirit and integrity of the piece.”
No matter what, we always need to DANCE! In rain, in life, in grief, in joy, in pain. This was my exploration of Tumbao rhythms that Josh showed me, because no matter what, we always had fun together!
When Professor Stephens asked me why I wanted to learn Jazz Piano in 2018, I replied, “because I like playing with other people, and improvising.” There’s more to it now, but the core hasn’t changed. Thank you to my trio partners, Ori and Mitch, without whom these compositions and performances would not be what you hear today. With your expertise, honest feedback and input, and original ideas, you’ve brought these compositions to life, and I always love playing with you both.
Written by Dr. Joy Yang, Champaign, Illinois, December 2023
Edited by Professor Amy Hassinger and Dr. Jeffrey Magee, Champaign, Illinois, February 2024