Wu Fei
Encyclopedia
Wu Fei is a composer
, performer, and improviser from Beijing, China. She mainly performs on the ancient Chinese zither called guzheng
, and also sings and plays the piano.
She studied composition at the China Conservatory of Music
and Mills College
(U.S.). She has appeared on Fred Frith
's albums Eye to Ear II
and Eye to Ear III
, as well as his soundtrack for the PBS documentary film Thirst and his record, The Happy End Problem
.
In Fall 2007, Wu Fei's debut solo record "A Distant Youth" was released on Forrest Hill Records. The records also features Fred Frith
(guitar), Carla Kihlstedt
(violin), and Helge Andres Norbakken (percussion).
In October 2008, Wu Fei released a CD entitled "YUAN-缘" produced by John Zorn
for Tzadik Records
of her chamber compositions to be released in fall 2008. One major piece "She Huo-社火" featured on this new record was premiered at the Forbidden City Concert Hall(Beijing) with Percussions Claviers de Lyon in Spring 2007. In 2008, she relocated to New York
.
In October 2009, a music DVD "Shan Qi" was released (Ozella Music, Germany), filmed in the Italian Alps and highlighting Wu Fei and several outstanding European musicians, including Guo Yue, Giovanni Amighetti (producer), Guido Ponzini, and Helge A. Norbakken.
Wu Fei was the curator for The Stone (NYC) in October 2008.
In March 2011, Wu Fei gave a live performance on guzheng and voice at the Hermès
fashion show during Paris fashion week
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, performer, and improviser from Beijing, China. She mainly performs on the ancient Chinese zither called guzheng
Guzheng
The guzheng or "gu zheng", also called zheng is a Chinese plucked zither. It has 18-23 or more strings and movable bridges....
, and also sings and plays the piano.
She studied composition at the China Conservatory of Music
China Conservatory of Music
The China Conservatory of Music is a music conservatory in Beijing, China. It was established in 1964....
and Mills College
Mills College
Mills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...
(U.S.). She has appeared on Fred Frith
Fred Frith
Fred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
's albums Eye to Ear II
Eye to Ear II
Eye to Ear II is a studio album by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith. It is a collection of film music composed and performed by Frith, and is the second of three Eye to Ear albums dedicated to his work for short films...
and Eye to Ear III
Eye to Ear III
Eye to Ear III is a studio album by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith. It is a collection of film music composed and performed by Frith, and is the third of three Eye to Ear albums dedicated to his work for short films...
, as well as his soundtrack for the PBS documentary film Thirst and his record, The Happy End Problem
The Happy End Problem
The Happy End Problem is a studio album by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith, and is the fifth of a series of Music for Dance albums he made...
.
In Fall 2007, Wu Fei's debut solo record "A Distant Youth" was released on Forrest Hill Records. The records also features Fred Frith
Fred Frith
Fred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
(guitar), Carla Kihlstedt
Carla Kihlstedt
Carla Kihlstedt is an American violinist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist from Lancaster, Pennsylvania currently living in Oakland, California....
(violin), and Helge Andres Norbakken (percussion).
In October 2008, Wu Fei released a CD entitled "YUAN-缘" produced by John Zorn
John Zorn
John Zorn is an American avant-garde composer, arranger, record producer, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist. Zorn is a prolific artist: he has hundreds of album credits as performer, composer, or producer...
for Tzadik Records
Tzadik Records
Tzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases...
of her chamber compositions to be released in fall 2008. One major piece "She Huo-社火" featured on this new record was premiered at the Forbidden City Concert Hall(Beijing) with Percussions Claviers de Lyon in Spring 2007. In 2008, she relocated to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
In October 2009, a music DVD "Shan Qi" was released (Ozella Music, Germany), filmed in the Italian Alps and highlighting Wu Fei and several outstanding European musicians, including Guo Yue, Giovanni Amighetti (producer), Guido Ponzini, and Helge A. Norbakken.
Wu Fei was the curator for The Stone (NYC) in October 2008.
In March 2011, Wu Fei gave a live performance on guzheng and voice at the Hermès
Hermès
Hermès International S.A., or simply Hermès is a French high fashion house established in 1837, today specializing in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery, luxury goods, and ready-to-wear...
fashion show during Paris fashion week
Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week is a famous fashion week held semi-annually in Paris, France with Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter events held each year. Dates are determined by the French Fashion Federation...
.
Discography
- Yuan – November 2008, Tzadik RecordsTzadik RecordsTzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases...
(US) - A Distant Youth – September 2007, Forrest Hill Records (Italy)
As guest musician
- Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
: Clearing CustomsClearing CustomsClearing Customs is a studio album by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith. It is based on a week of recordings and performances in November and December 2007 at a New Jazz Meeting at SWR, a German radio station in southwest Germany. Two hour-long national broadcasts were made...
– February 2011, Intakt Records (Switzerland), a project under Germany's SWR "New Jazz Metting" - Abigail WashburnAbigail WashburnAbigail Washburn is an American clawhammer banjo player and singer. She performs and records as a soloist, as well as with the old-time bands Uncle Earl and Sparrow Quartet.-Biography:...
: City of Refuge – January 11, 2011, Rounder RecordsRounder RecordsRounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
(US) - Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
: Eye to Ear IIIEye to Ear IIIEye to Ear III is a studio album by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith. It is a collection of film music composed and performed by Frith, and is the third of three Eye to Ear albums dedicated to his work for short films...
– November 2010, Tzadik RecordsTzadik RecordsTzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases...
(US) - Various artists: Shan Qi (DVD) – November 2009, Ozella Music (Germany)
- Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
: The Happy End ProblemThe Happy End ProblemThe Happy End Problem is a studio album by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith, and is the fifth of a series of Music for Dance albums he made...
– December 2006 - Fred FrithFred FrithFred Frith is an English multi-instrumentalist, composer and improvisor.Probably best known for his guitar work, Frith first came to attention as one of the founding members of the English avant-rock group Henry Cow. Frith was also a member of Art Bears, Massacre and Skeleton Crew...
: Eye to Ear IIEye to Ear IIEye to Ear II is a studio album by English guitarist, composer and improvisor Fred Frith. It is a collection of film music composed and performed by Frith, and is the second of three Eye to Ear albums dedicated to his work for short films...
– 2004, Tzadik RecordsTzadik RecordsTzadik Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in avant-garde and experimental music. The label was established by the eclectic composer and saxophonist John Zorn in 1995; Zorn is the executive producer of all Tzadik releases...
(US)
External links
- Official Website
- Wu Fei page at All About Jazz