Peter Lin AAPI Jazz Collective: Identity

Taiwanese-American trombonist Peter Lin formed the New York-based AAPI Jazz Collective in 2018 to amplify the voice of jazz musicians of Asian American and Pacific Island lineage. Identity, the group's debut album, confirms that those voices are essentially strong, clear and eloquent.

AAPI's core quintet places Lin out front with alto saxophonist Erena Terakubo, adeptly escorted by pianist Mike Bond, bassist Daseul Kim and drummer Wen-Ting Wu. Guest trumpeter Brandon Choi sits in on four numbers, vocalist My Tam Huynh on three. The ensemble is tight as a proverbial drum, the soloists (especially Terakubo) consistently sharp and engaging.

AAPI hits its stride (as in "Emperor's Stride") about thirty-five seconds into Bond's lively opening number, unlimbering its impressive chops to undergird intrepid solos by Bond (whose lineage is Chinese), Terakubo and Lin. Lin's seductive arrangement of the lovely "Alishan Girl" is next, followed by the graceful waltz, "A Town with an Ocean View," on which Choi introduces himself via the first of his eloquent solos while Terakubo moves to flute.

Wu arranged the the colorful folk song "City of Sadness," which leads to the first of Huynh's splendid vocals on the spunky "Anh Dau Em Do" (she sings again on "Moonlight Densestu" and the elegant finale, "Beo Dat May Troi"). Kim's arco bass unlatches the tasteful ballad "Dahil Sa Iyo," on which he solos with Erakubo and Lin, who arranged the Korean favorite, "Magpie's New Year's Day," an up-tempo romp with robust solos courtesy of Terakubo, Bond and Wu.

Terakubo's dancing flute leads the way on the delicate "Ringo Oiwake," which precedes the charming "Moonlight Densestu" and another super-charged flag-waver, the well-named "Tank!," wherein the ensemble roars behind fiery statements by Terakubo, Lin, Choi, Bond and Wu and a high-flying coda from Choi who solos with Huynh on the closing "Beo Dat May Troi." It's a marvelous way to anchor an excellent premiere recording by the unique and talented AAPI, one that reaffirms jazz's stature as a universal language.

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