A distinctly American art form, jazz has a rich history in Asia. Hong Kong’s lively jazz scene has launched the career of jazz vocalist Sherine Wong, who recently released her first album for American audiences, “3 & More,” via Universal Music Hong Kong.
Wong is enamored by the Great American songbook. On her third album, “3 & More,” she interprets ten standards taken from the timeless catalogue. At the core of the collection is Wong accompanied by an acoustic jazz trio. However, on some tracks, her accompaniment swells instrument by instrument, maxing out at ten pieces.
Launching the album with a concert performance at Hong Kong’s Fringe Club, Wong employed the same concept in her performance as exhibited on the album, starting with tunes on which a trio backed her. As she went deeper into her setlist, one by one she brought out an additional musician that added another instrumental voice until her ensemble grew to ten players illuminating her renditions of songs penned by iconic composers George & Ira Gershwin, Richard Rogers, and Bill Evans while reimagining songs made famous by such legendary jazz figures as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Nancy Wilson, Fred Astaire, Mel Tormé, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Julie London.
Choosing the Fringe Club was strategic as the venue’s mission aligns with Wong’s own mission to win the hearts of American jazz fans. The Fringe Club’s mission is “to help emergent artists, promote Hong Kong artists abroad through cultural exchange and overseas touring, and conserve and develop Hong Kong cultural heritage.”
Expanding her reach after delivering two albums for the Hong Kong market to targeting the global audience, Wong surrounded herself with world-class producers, musicians, arrangers, and engineers to fulfill her vision for “3 & More.” Thelonious Monk International Jazz Guitar Competition winner Jesse van Ruller, Japanese vocalist and flugelhornist TOKU, trombonist Dree Peremans, guitarist Eugene Pao, trumpeter, flugelhornist, and drummer Stéphane Belmondo; and Paul Pouwer (Power Sound Studios) were part of Wong’s team to craft the new album that was mastered by three-time GRAMMY® winner Bernie Grundman. The results are exquisite. Each track is arranged to be warm, open, and airy, even as the orchestrated layers of instrumentation thicken. The production is masterful, embellishing Wong’s urbane yet impassioned singing, marked by poised delivery, dexterous control, and genuine emotion.
Three singles, “On Green Dolphin Street,” “Tenderly,” and “Moonglow,” previewed the arrival of “3 & More.” In conjunction with the album’s release date in Hong Kong, Wong performed at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Jazz Festival on a festival marquee topped by GRAMMY-winning pianist Herbie Hancock. She participated on an extensive Hong Kong media tour, appearing on various television and radio programs in addition to being featured in multiple print and online publications. Now, her sights are set on cracking the US market and getting the opportunity to sing in American clubs, theaters, concert halls, and performing arts centers.
Wong studied, trained, and learned the art of jazz singing from top musician mentors in Hong Kong, Japan, Europe, and New York City, leading to the release of her self-titled debut album in 2018. Three years later, she returned with her sophomore set, “Two For The Road (Duo Concept Album),” a project primarily composed of duets. Upping the focus to trios and beyond, “3 & More” showcases Wong’s evolution as an artist.
The Hong Kong-based Wong is from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is a former Miss Malaysia Universe winner. A model and an actor, she has been the face in print and television ads for such global brands as HSBC, Vidal Sassoon, Levi’s, Samsung, Shiseido, and the Malaysian Tourist Board.
For more information: https://www.sherinewong.com https://umhk.lnk.to/3andMoreOD?lf_source=qr
https://lnk.bio/umhkinternational.
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