chris wong in sync

Two weeks ago Vancouver's Orchid Ensemble was at the U.S.-Canada border, on the way home after playing some shows in Seattle. When the Canadian customs officer asked what the musicians did in Seattle, Orchid Ensemble member Jonathan Bernard said the group was "representing Canadian culture". Bernard was partially joking, which was brave considering how humourless customs officers can be (especially these days). But even though the players in Orchid Ensemble come from Taipei, Beijing and Montreal, he was accurately describing the trio.

Orchid Ensemble — Lan Tung on erhu (two-string fiddle), Mei Han on zheng (multi-stringed zither) and Bernard on marimba and other percussion-has a clear focus on material rooted in traditional Chinese music. But the group, which Tung started in 1997, is anything but a traditional Chinese music ensemble. Its unique instrumentation, commitment to commissioning original pieces by Canadian composers, growing emphasis on improvisation, and ability to blend music from different cultures distinguish Orchid Ensemble from other Chinese groups. "We're representing something that was born out of our cultural environment," says Bernard about how Orchid reflects Vancouver's east-west milieu.

The trio will definitely cross cultures during its next concert, Ten Thousand Miles to Kashgar, Oct. 27 at Capilano College Performing Arts Theatre. Kashgar-an oasis in China's Taklimakan Desert — was an important hub on the ancient Silk Road. It's now a bustling city in northwestern China's Xinjiang province, where the Muslim Uighur minority lives.

Orchid Ensemble included an arrangement of a traditional tune from the Uighur, "Shepherd Girl", on the group's satisfying Heartland album. The group engagingly combined its Chinese essence with other elements, such as Persian influences, on the beguiling song. In the concert, Orchid Ensemble will feature songs shaped by cultural influences that spread through the Silk Road.

The group commissioned Moshe Denburg to write material. No doubt Denburg's "The Road to Kashgar", which Orchid will premiere, will be as captivating as his many other compositions that integrate music from the Middle East, India and elsewhere. Another highlight will be hearing Alan Kushan, the brother of the great traditional Persian musician Amir Koushkani. Kushan, who lives in San Francisco, will play santur (hammer dulcimer) on one solo piece and perform together with Orchid Ensemble.

Aside from spending more than a year organizing this concert, which will also feature more traditional Chinese tunes, the group members have been busy. They toured across Canada last summer. (September performances at the Detroit Festival of the Arts and the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. were cancelled because of the attack on America.) Tung plays with musicians ranging from sitar player James Hamilton to the improvisers in New Orchestra Workshop. Han has also sat in with the NOW crowd and collaborates with her husband Randy Raine-Reusch. Bernard is an active classical musician.

Within Orchid Ensemble, I'm especially impressed by how all three of them can draw from extensive classical training, a considerable awareness of world music and experience exploring new sounds to create affecting music. If you're interested in Chinese music but have hesitated from embracing purely traditional Chinese sounds (as I have), then check out Orchid Ensemble.

Call (604) 990-7810 for tickets to Orchid Ensemble's Cap College show.

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No one could accuse Vancouver's New Orchestra Workshop Society of being lazy. The NOW folks, including some of our city's boldest improvisers, have a full schedule. NOW commissioned a new work by clarinetist François Houle. The 15-piece NOW Orchestra will perform the piece, "Stirrings Still", Oct. 20 at the 10th Avenue Alliance Church (11 W. 10th Ave.). The orchestra will also play other pieces by Houle and material by René Lussier. Call (604) 254-5016 for tickets.

NOW is also presenting monthly double-bills at the Havana Gallery, including both established working bands and improvising ensembles bring together established and emerging players. The next one on Nov. 4 will include an early show (8 p.m.) with improvisers Kenton Lowen, Paul Blaney, Masa Anzai and Kevin Elaschuk. The late show (9 p.m) will feature the Stellar Saxophone Quartet: Coat Cooke, Daniel Kane, Bob Walker and Graham Ord. Admission is $6 at the door. The last double-bill will be Dec. 2.

Finally, NOW presents a series of improvised music workshops at the Western Front (303 W. 8th Ave.) Upcoming workshops will feature multi-instrumentalists Randy Raine-Reusch (Oct. 15) and Pepe Danza (Oct. 22). The series will culminate Dec. 3 with a concert featuring workshop instructors and participants. All workshops, every Monday (4-6 p.m.), are free and open to amateurs and professionals.

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Two musicians named Buddy will soon play in Vancouver.

Buddy Greco's main claim to jazz fame comes from a stint in the '50s as pianist, singer and arranger with Benny Goodman. Greco and his trio will perform Oct. 15-17 at Rossini's Gastown. Call (604) 408-1300 to make reservations.

Buddy Montgomery and his brothers, Wes and Monk, performed at a Vancouver jazz club called the Cellar 40 years ago. Buddy, a fine vibraphonist and pianist with a melodic and hard-swinging style, will play Oct. 26-27 at the current Cellar's first anniversary celebration. The 71-year-old will perform in the rescheduled shows, which were originally booked for mid-September, with pianist Chris Sigerson, bassist Darren Radtke and drummer Dave Robbins. Call (604) 738-1959 for reservations.