Helen Sung - Quartet+

Quartet+ is music composed and arranged by women, made possible by a NYC Women's Fund grant. Largely conceived during the Covid-19 pandemic, it celebrates the dynamic creativity of the city I call home, a place that I still find magical, where wonderful things can happen that probably aren't possible anywhere else - like this project! In addition to my compositions, I am delighted to present new arrangements of works by landmark women in jazz: Mary Lou Williams, Geri Allen, Marian McPartland, Carla Bley, and Toshiko Akiyoshi, true pioneers and giants all. I also loved writing for strings and recording in this "double quartet" format, getting the chance to draw from my years of studying classical violin. Looking back over the past year or so, if I remember anything, it will be the bittersweet reminder of the impermanence of all things. I imagine this is why musicians make records - in live performance once the last note is played, the moment is over and everyone moves on... at least until the next concert where we do it all over again. May there be many more such concerts, and let us keep coming together to share music whenever we can - hopefully in person again, very soon! -Helen Sung (NYC, 2021)