The new album is the long-awaited follow-up to her 2017 debut recording, Ee-Ya-Gi, which featured veteran tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, who played with the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. Personal reflection and resilience after a major loss, are the main themes of Things Will Pass. Helping Hong craft those evocative sound pictures are some of New York City’s finest musicians who comprise the Jazz Orchestra. They include: tenor saxophonists Perry and Quintin Nachoff; alto, baritone and soprano saxophonists Alejandro Aviles, Andrew Hadro and Ben Kono; David Smith on trumpet and flugelhorn; trombonist Mike Fahie; guitarist Matt Panayides, pianist Broc Hempel and vocalist Aubrey Johnson. Hong is a master at evoking a number of jazz moods and grooves, from the bouncy, backbeat of “Road to Hana” and “We Will Meet Again,” the reminiscence of “Waltzing with Dad,” and the mid tempo cadence of “Treasure Hunt,” to the tenor saxophone feature on “Night Climbing,” mysterious and slightly frightening “Dance with Dracula,” and the wistful, Asian atmosphere on “Memories of Ladies” and “Raindrop’s Journey.”
Hyeseon Hong Jazz Orchestra live at Culture Lab LIC