Today we’d like to introduce you to Li Liu.
Li Liu’s passion for jazz led her from Taiwan to the heart and soul of the music – the southern United States, the birthplace of jazz. Before moving to the United States, Li had already crafted a successful career as a jazz vocalist in Taiwan. She performed in major venues, toured with professional jazz musicians, recorded an album, and appeared in the TV programs Chinese Million Star and University.
However, in her heart, she strove for more. She wanted to explore the roots of the music she loves, so she left her comfortable life in Taiwan and dove headfirst into the Texas jazz scene. At the University of North Texas, she studied with some of the best jazz educators in the United States, and she continues to perform in the bustling music scene of the night clubs and bars of the downtown Dallas. Since moving to Texas Li has found a passion for singing gospel music in Texas Churches. This gospel sound has inspired her scat singing and compositions.
Li Liu is a risk-taker when improvising. She regards every solo opportunity as her last chance to express herself. Li has a strong sense of projection and loses herself in the pleasure of sharing music with her audiences. Her latest original Chinese jazz project – Song Dynasty creates a unique sound by fusing playful Chinese lyrics with jazz-rooted compositions. She has toured the east coast of Canada, the United States Pacific North West and Taiwan. She is looking forward to releasing her debut album with Song Dynasty in winter 2018.
Li has a passion for teaching, and she is always looking to develop her teaching skill. After receiving her master’s degree of Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas in 2018, she participated in the vocal pedagogy conference LoVetri’s method Somatic Voicework™ at Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. She is certified in all three levels. Li maintains a small studio with dedicated students.
Song Dynasty is a collaborative project between Taiwanese vocalist Li Liu and Canadian guitarist Ben Holt that combines elements of western music with Chinese lyrics.
Inspired by jazz, blues, funk and the lyrics of the Classical Chinese poet Li Qing-Zhao Song Dynasty began in 2015 while Liu and Holt were graduate students at the University of North Texas’ prestigious Jazz Studies Program. Since the project’s inception, they have been traveling the world sharing this unique brand Chinese jazz with both English and Chinese speaking audiences to equaled success.
In 2018 Song Dynasty toured both Canada, Taiwan and the American Pacific Northwest playing with many top jazz musicians. Song Dynasty has allowed their travels to enrich the music and creating a unique blend East and West that intrigues and delights audiences everywhere!
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
With my band Song Dynasty, I create music that blends music from Chinese culture and my native Taiwan with western musical styles. My music combines the East with the West.
I combine lyrics from ancient Chinese poetry and my own experience with modern jazz, R&B, pop, hip hop, I love the feeling of freedom associated with jazz improvisation, the rhythmic grooves of R&B/Hip Hop, and the beautiful words and stories of China and Taiwan.
My band’s setlist includes our unique renditions of popular songs Taiwanese and Chinese songs, classic jazz songs with original lyrics in Chinese, and original songs that draw from our life experiences and blend our favorite musical styles.
Our band’s current lineup includes some of DFW’s top players including guitarist Ben Holt, saxophonist Julian Sutherland, keyboardist Dan Porter, bassist Mike Luzecky, and drummer Jonny Harmon.
My desire for this band and this music is to form a bridge between the East and the West. I want my music to open doors for listeners and pique their interest in a music and culture that is not their own. I saw this dream come to fruition first hand while on tour in 2018. In Taiwan we played American blues and jazz inspired tunes that connected with our audiences through our Chinese lyrics. In Canada we this music experiment was tested when we performed 8 concerts to an audience that had no knowledge of the Chinese language. The Canadian tour was a huge success. We learned that music can bridge the language gap and audiences where drawn in by the exotic sounds in out music.
I hope that my music will bridge gaps and bring people together.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
For musicians, the best thing you can do is go out and see shows. Support other artists and they will support you.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Our website is: Songdynastyjazz.com
Facebook/Instagram/youtube: Songdynastyjazz
Upcoming performances:
April 9th 11am – 1pm TCCD Trinity Rivers
April 13 8-11pm Two Corks and a Bottle (Uptown)
Contact Info:
- Website: Songdynastyjazz.com
- Email: songdynastyjazz@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/songdynastyjazz/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/songdynastyjazz/
Image Credit:
Willy Chen
Jessica Waffles
Ethan Phoenix
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
