Wing Tung Liu

At first this may seem like an immigrant’s story. But that is not what I am trying to get to, as there is nothing special in coming to America while million others have done the same. The differences between immigrants’ stories are perhaps the attitudes they took while they faced challenges. Yet this can be applied to any situation, not just immigration.

When I came to New York City at the age of twelve, I was facing new challenges just as my parents were. Ever since I graduated from elementary school, I felt my parents could no longer guide or help me with the work in school. My parents had never studied in America so they had no idea what it was going to be like. But I understood my obligation as a daughter. My parents came here with me because they wanted me to have a better life than they had. There was really no other reason they should come since they had decent jobs back in Hong Kong. Therefore, I quietly learned by myself and tried my best to speak English like I was born here. I do not know if I succeeded, but I know people would not judge me as a mere immigrant. (However it is not to say that I had lost my Chinese skills. I maintained it and it is as good as my English.)

My path continues onto college and soon onto my career. I am aiming to achieve more than I had. Or I should say, I am not allowed to do less because there is a family behind me.  If I can safely go through this first semester, I believe I will have a greater chance succeeding in college. This first semester is critical and all I can do right now is grip on the chances.

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This is “Deep into the Night” by Hiromi Uehara (keyboardist). Hiromi Uehara is a rising star in Jazz and is getting recognitions from famous Jazz pianists such as Chick Corea and Oscar Peterson.

Almost everyone around me does not listen to Jazz. It is often hard to discuss pieces like this when no one around me appreciates them. (When I show people around me Uehara’s songs, their reactions are mostly “It just sounds like a bunch of noise to me. I don’t seem to hear a melody.” I find that very depressing) Therefore the only way to express my love for this piece is to post it up here, where maybe someone will be able to understand it.

The only people who agree with me are those on Youtube leaving comments. One person said this piece was “intensely relaxing,” which I found very true. This is probably one of my favorite songs from Uehara for its structure of freedom. Music, in general, is structured. No matter how one wish to improvise, there is still a tempo, a key, or even a chord. Yet one can develop freely around these things and create something extraordinary, as in the case of “Deep into the Night.”

Whoever that is reading this, please enjoy!