Formosa Spring from Rising by Mavis Pan Quintet

While modern jazz has embraced global influences, I used Coltrane’s modal tune “Impression” as the basic harmony outline and infused it with oriental melody. However, the compositional structure is extended beyond two simple dorian Modes. I took on a nostalgic journey back to my homeland Taiwan while incorporating a traditional Taiwan Folksong “Oyster Lady” with reharmonization and syncopation in the development section. The use of a mixed meter also suggests its modernity, progressing away from the typical straight ahead jazz. It has been a long and tough musical journey as an immigrant, nevertheless the American society is constantly evolving and hopefully so is jazz.

Mavis Pan is a composer, pianist, singer who presents a blend of East and West, Classical and Jazz, Sacred and Secular. Her travels throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States have gathered flavors of a multitude of cultures, now blended into her compositions, which range from popular to avant-garde, from ballad to art song, from solo instrumental to full orchestra.