Francis Wong is one of the most accomplished musicians. The late jazz critic Phil Elwood called him “one of the great saxophonists his generation.” Wong, a prolific recording artist, is featured on over forty titles as both a leader or sideman. He has been performing his unique brand of jazz and creative musical music for audiences across North America, Asia and Europe for over 20 years. To simply call Wong a musician would ignore his leadership role in Northern California communities. Wong’s creative career includes many roles, including those of performing artist, youth mentor and composer, as well as artistic director, community activist manager, consultant, music producer and academic lecturer. His key vehicles are Asian Improv aRts which he co-founded along with Jon Jang, and his role as Senior Fellow at Wildflowers Institute. Wong was also a California Arts Council Artist-in-Residence from 1992 to 1998 and a Meet The Composer Resident 2000-2003. He was a Rockefeller Next Generation Leadership Fellow in 2000-2001. He was also a guest faculty member at San Francisco State University (1996-1998) and at University of California at Santa Cruz (1996-192001). “I chose to do my work to build community, and to find ways that I, as an artist, can address the challenges our community faces. The biggest problem facing the Asian American community is continuity and assimilation. Music is my way of achieving continuity through the integration between tradition and innovation. from http://www.franciswong.net
