The music of Jason Kao Hwang (composer/violin/viola) explores the vibrations of his history. His compositions are often narrative landscapes through which sonic beings embark upon extemporaneous, transformational journeys.  His most recent releases, Book of Stories, Uncharted Faith, The Human Rites Trio, Conjure, and Blood, have received critical acclaim. Raised during the “melting pot” era of assimilation, Mr. Hwang did not learn Chinese from his immigrant parents, only English. When his parents spoke in Chinese to each other, he would listen intently to glean meaning from the inflection, pitch, rhythm, and timbre of their phrases.  Mr. Hwang imagines this musical experience of the Chinese language as the foundation of his creative instincts. In addition, amongst his many musical inspirations are the Chinese erhu and pipa, as well as the Korean gayageum. In 2020, 2019, 2018, 2013 and 2012, the El Intruso International Critics Poll voted him #1 for Violin/Viola.  In 2017 Downbeat Magazine named his quintet Sing House as one of the best CDs of the year. The 2012 Downbeat Critics’ Poll voted Mr. Hwang as Rising Star for Violin. The first Burning Bridge was one of the top CDs of 2012 by both Jazziz and the Jazz Times. In 2011 he released Symphony of Souls performed by his improvising string orchestra, Spontaneous River. In 2010, the New York City Jazz Record selected Commitment, The Complete Recordings, 1981-1983 from a collective that was Mr. Hwang’s first band, as one of the 2010 Reissued Recordings of the Year. His quartet EDGE released, EDGE (2006), Stories Before Within (2008), and Crossroads Unseen (2011), all of which appeared on many top ten of the year lists. His chamber opera The Floating Box, A Story in Chinatown was one of the Top Ten Opera Recordings of 2005 by Opera News. Mr. Hwang has received a 2023 Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. He has received past support from Chamber Music America, NEA, Rockefeller Foundation, NY Community Trust, NYSCA, US Artists International, Meet the Composer, and others. As violinist, he has worked with Henry Threadgill, William Parker, Anthony Braxton, Butch Morris, Reggie Workman, Pauline Oliveros, Steve Swell, Taylor Ho Bynum, Tomeka Reid, Billy Bang, Leroy Jenkins, Patrick Brennan, Will Connell, Jr., Zen Matsuura, Oliver Lake, Jerome Cooper and others.