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Multi-instrumentalist, writer, jewelry maker is bringing her jazz combo to Oregon district
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Cincinnati's Liz Wu weaves her many interests and talents into an eclectic career. Music, art and writing are at the center of Wu's professional life, sometimes blurring together and often taking unconventional forms.
Primarily a vibraphonist, Wu plays various percussion instruments, sings and also performs occasionally on trumpet. She is a 2002 graduate of University of Cincinnati, where she studied jazz performance and journalism. Wu is active with several ongoing projects and bands, which is also an outlet for her composing interests.
"I'm really focusing on specific groups right now, says Wu. "After having spent years of doing pickup gigs, I've found that to grow as an ensemble is something that helps you grow as a musician and build your own voice."
Wu's latin jazz group, Poco Loco, will perform in Dayton this Friday evening at the Jazzy Java Café in the Oregon District. The group also includes Cesar Vanegas (congas), Josh Moore (bass), A.J. Braman (piano/keyboard), Chris Barick (timbales) and Scott Jones (sax).
"We play a lot of Latin jazz standards—things by Tito Puente or Cal Tjader, for instance—and also some originals," says Wu. "It's a new band. We started about a year ago, but it went through a few personnel changes and the current group has been together since June."
Wu also performs with The Sapphires, an all female trio that combines ukulele, cello, vibraphone and 3-part vocal harmonies. Their eclectic repertoire covers folk, country, rock, jazz and original songs. Another of Wu's ensembles is Acarya, which is an acoustic rock group that focuses on original music.
Despite her busy schedule as a musician, Wu is also quite active as a writer. She contributes regularly to CityBeat, CincyChic, and Soapbox Cincinnati on music and arts. Wu also has a children's book to her credit, "Rosa Farm," published by Knopf Books.
"(Writing) is probably the main way I make a living," Wu says. "Music and writing have always been passions of mine since I was a child."
"Rosa Farm" was inspired by Wu's extensive travels, especially a summer she spent in Portugal. It was there that she also learned another trade: jewelry making. Wu's wire-wrapping skills allow her to apply her creativity in a visual format, and also served her well financially as she traveled.
Wu spent several years in Europe and Central America, sometimes writing and sometimes making jewelry. Music was mostly on the backburner, though, as vibraphones are not the most portable of instruments. Wu returned to the U.S. in late 2006 to pursue her desire to play music, which she admits is often a labor of love.
"There really are a lot of sacrifices that (musicians) make to do what they love," she says. "But, there's no complaining to be done when you choose your profession."
Matt Warner is a contributing writer on music for the Dayton Daily News. He can be reached by e-mail at warner.matt@mac.com. Jazzbeat appears every Sunday.
How to go
What: Latin jazz with Liz Wu and Poco Loco
When: Friday, 8:30 to 10 p.m. and 10:30 to midnight
Where: Jazzy Java Café, 438 E. Fifth St., in Dayton's Oregon Historic District
Cost: $7 cover
More info: (937) 938-9103
