COMFORT GIRL is an 80-minute song-cycle inspired by true stories of Asian "comfort women" abducted into sexual slavery by the Japanese army during WWII. It is not only a groundbreaking fusion of East-West musical traditions, but has also sparked public dialogue on a formerly taboo subject that still resonates globally for women today. Based on survivor testimony, the jazz-opera/song-cycle gives voice to the 200,000+ women and survivors who were silenced for 50 years.

Created/composed by Stephanie Chou, an American jazz composer/saxophonist/singer who blends influences from her Chinese heritage with Western jazz and pop to create a bracingly original sound.

“A stunning work that not only shines light on a dark chapter of history but also feels inspirational for contemporary listeners.” – DownBeat

COMFORT GIRL had its world premiere in March 2019 at Joe's Pub. Tonight we will preview the release of the recorded album version - the full realization of the piece!

Stephanie Chou - voice, alto saxophone, compositions
Lito Villareal - voice
Andy Lin - erhu, viola, violin
Kelly Lin - piano
Dave Hertzberg - bass
Ronen Itzik - drums, percussion

Originally commissioned by the American Composers Forum, with additional support from Lower Manhattan Cultural Council; Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship; OPERA America, American Opera Project.
Tonight's concert is supported by a 2023 grant from Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects program, funded through the generosity of The Howard Gilman Foundation, for the Comfort Girl studio recording.

COMFORT GIRL 是一部80分鐘的連篇歌曲，靈感來自真實的亞洲「慰安婦」故事，她們在第二次世界大戰期間被日本軍隊綁架成為性奴。這不僅是東西方音樂傳統的突破性融合，而且引發了對一個過去禁忌但至今仍對當代女性產生全球共鳴的議題的公眾對話。根據倖存者的證詞，這部爵士歌劇/連篇歌曲為20萬多名被沉默了50年的婦女和倖存者發聲。

由 Stephanie Chou 周紹慈 創作/作曲，她是一名美國爵士作曲家/薩克斯手/歌手，將她的中國文化遺產與西方爵士樂和流行音樂融合，創造出一種令人振奮的原創聲音。

“A stunning work that not only shines light on a dark chapter of history but also feels inspirational for contemporary listeners.” –DownBeat

COMFORT GIRL 於2019年3月在 Joe's Pub 世界首演。今晚，我們將慶祝錄製的專輯版本的發行-這是作品的完整實現！

Stephanie Chou 周紹慈 - 聲樂，中音薩克斯，作曲
Lito Villareal - 周紹慈
Andy Lin 林維洋 - 二胡，中提琴，小提琴
Kelly Lin - 鋼琴
Dave Hertzberg -低音
Ronen Itzik - 鼓，打擊樂器

最初由 American Composers Forum 委託，另外得到 Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship, OPERA America 和 American Opera Project 的支持。Stephanie Chou 周紹慈項目獲得了2023年由 Chamber Music America’s Artistic Projects program 的資助，資金來自 The Howard Gilman Foundation，用於 COMFORT GIRL 的錄音工作室。

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Photo Credit: John Abbott