Based in Taipei, Taiwan, ZY THE WAY 中庸 is a pioneering jazz ensemble redefining the landscape of improvised music. This dynamic group seamlessly blends the rich cultural heritage of ancient Chinese poetry with contemporary jazz, creating a unique and compelling sound. Drawing from the “Book of Songs (Shijing 詩經)”—a seminal text compiled by Confucius 3,000 years ago—ZY THE WAY weaves these timeless verses into modern musical compositions. Their innovative approach bridges historical and musical traditions, offering a fresh perspective on one of the world’s oldest literary works. The ensemble’s creative fusion of ancient and modern elements reflects their commitment to exploring and expanding the boundaries of jazz, delivering a rich auditory experience that is both culturally significant and artistically groundbreaking.
Jazz feels like one of the many genres experiencing a renaissance right now, and Zy The Way adds to the ever-evolving landscape with the stunning and sentimental “Blue Collar” single. The subtle whimsy of the vocals elevates the nimble wind instruments and cascading keys, creating a kaleidoscope effect of jazz influences quickly filtered through the band’s refreshing perspective. Moments of nostalgic jazz are evoked from the ripping and enticing piano solo, while the flutes harken back to the spiritual jazz of Pharoah Sanders. “Blue Collar” creates a universe of colors and sounds to get lost in. Zy The Way is a graceful single that allows you to escape to a mystical place of soft tones and ever-growing melodies as the band employs an infectious syncopation to deliver a jaw-dropping performance.
To deepen your listening experience, the band included an insightful analysis and English translation of the poem by Dr. Annie Luman Ren from the Australian National University, which enhances the connection between the ancient text and our contemporary sound. You can find Dr. Ren’s work below.
“This is a captivating love song between two young lovers. Unlike the contemporary association of “blue collar” with manual laborers, in Imperial China, the term refers to young scholars donning blue collars. In Chinese, the color ‘qing’ 青, which can mean both green and blue, evokes a sense of youth, freshness, and vigor. Though the exact context remains an enigma—perhaps the young student had been away to face the trials of examinations or was visiting family in the countryside—the pangs of separation and the fervent yearning to be reunited transcend the boundaries of time and language through this powerful and evocative narrative.”
Translated lyrics:
Ou with the blue collar,
How my heart yearns for you,
Though I cannot go and visit,
Why won’t you write?
You with the blue sash,
How I constantly think of you.
Though I cannot go and visit,
Why won’t you come to me?
Eagerly I search for you,
Pacing to and fro –
Atop the city wall.
A day without seeing you,
Feels like three months.
