'OR' by Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra

The path to Tracy Yang's 'OR' has genuinely proved to be a compelling and fascinating journey.  

Having initially committed to a career in Medical Imaging of Technology and Radiology in her native Taiwan, Yang would eventually make the decision to fully embrace her passion for jazz by moving to New York some ten years ago in a bid to immerse herself amidst the city's revered and thriving scene.

For many, the act would serve as a courageous gamble but when regarding Yang's successes since 2013, there was perhaps only ever going to be one outcome...

Tracy Yang's accomplishments have consistently been rooted within excellence.  From her achievements within the medical profession to the accolades and distinctions that followed with her move to New York - including having been awarded the Benny Golson Award from her time at Berklee and obtaining a Master's in Jazz Composition from Queen's College.  But even beyond that, the pianist and composer can further boast winning SWOJO’s 2018 women's composition contest, having been featured in the JEN Young Composers Showcase in 2019, securing a commendation by the Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize in 2021 and earning an honourable mention at the 2023 Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble Prize.

...Who in their right mind could bet against such boundless levels of beguiling talent and determination?!

Tracy's inspired imagination sees her enthralled with every individual and intricate puzzle piece fully understanding its unique and distinctive place amongst the make-up of her musical collage.  From her proficiency as a pianist to her finesse as a photographer - or whether we're regarding her ability to lead smaller ensembles like her Tracy Yang quartet or her ability to conduct a 17-person orchestra - Yang's multi-faceted and analytical perspective considers the whole process somewhat effortlessly slotting everything in its right place like a seamlessly-solved Rubik's Cube.

The eight compositions that comprise the Tracy Yang Jazz Orchestra's debut release, 'OR', place Yang's talents front and centre as a writer, arranger and composer.  With pieces that thrive off their cinematic scope, the music is exquisitely brought to life - at times intimate in their nature and at others bursting with scintillating life and personality.   

Tracy Yang has unveiled a full-length that does justice to the years of study and dedication that have ultimately brought her to the hallowed walls of her own re-imagined Operating Room.  A fantastic and captivating mind that opted not to ponder life's "what ifs" but instead boldly decided to ask the question "why not".