Jason Kao Hwang
Within Moments

Jason Kao Hwang is a composer, violinist and educator, has created works ranging from jazz, classical, "new" and world music.
Asian Improv Records recently released EDGE, a CD of Mr. Hwang's new jazz quartet. His chamber opera, The Floating Box, A Story in Chinatown (2005, New World Records), was named one of the top ten opera recordings of 2005 by Opera News.

Mr. Hwang's seminal ensemble (1990-2004), The Far East Side Band, featuring taiko, kayagum, tuba and his violin, released two CDs of his compositions, Urban Archaeology (1996, Victo Records) and Caverns (1994, New World Records). The Far East Side Band performed at the Beijing International Jazz Festival, Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival, Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art, Whitney Museum, Asia Society, Freer Gallery, Visions Festival, World Music Institute (NYC), Jazz Spektakel Wuppertal (Germany), Jazzgalerie Nickelsdorf Konfrontationen (Austria), duMaurier Ltd. International Jazz Festival (Vancouver), International Festival Musique Actuelle (Victoriaville), and many other stages. Mr. Hwang also recorded with his trio, Unfolding Stone (1990, Sound Aspects) and quartet, Commitment (1981, Flying Panda). His scores commissioned by the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, have premiered at the New Jersey Performing Art Center and Baruch College. His composition Flight of Whispers, commissioned and performed by Music for Homemade Instruments, can be heard on eXchange: China (1999, CRI), a compilation CD of Chinese American composers.

Mr. Hwang has received support from Meet the Composer, National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Rockefeller Foundation, the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust and others.

jasonhwang.com

Within Moments (2008)
For baritone (voice) and saxophone quartet

Quasar and Thomas Buckner gave the premiere of Within Moments on Jason Hwang on April 6 2008 in Montreal.