Presented by Lan Su Chinese Garden and PDX Jazz.

Pianist and provocateur Connie Han has created an edgy blend of modern and traditional jazz with her incendiary Mack Avenue Records debut Crime Zone. “This record is really meant to be a statement about being rebellious but within the tradition,” Han explains. “Even though jazz is meant to be fearless in its creative limits, I strongly believe in preserving the musical foundation. I want to show that it is possible to create infinite fresh ideas without having to deconstruct the building blocks of the jazz language. To me, that language is universal.“

According to DownBeat Magazine, Han at 23 has “already absorbed the post-bop piano masters” with “all the technical mastery she’ll ever need.” The New York Times describes her as “the rare musician with fearsome technical chops, a breadth of historical knowledge and enough originality to write tunes that absorb your ear easily.” Influenced by post-bop masters Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, and Kenny Kirkland, Han brings a fire, passion, and maturity that belies her youth. All About Jazz states, “With this album she’s booking a place as a star in the jazz firmament of tomorrow. Watch out for Connie Han, the face (and shape) of jazz to come.”