A collection of works and musical diary addressing key moments in Wong’s long career as a musician and person of conscience.

Francis Wong’s work spanning nearly five decades as a musician, activist, youth mentor, consultant, and academic lecturer in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond has lifted and inspired various Asian American collectives to build and work for a just and equitable society.  His music is deeply influenced by the music and perspective of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians as well as his colleagues in what is known as the Asian American jazz movement.

Wong has specialized in the fusion of free jazz and Asian musics, working with the likes of Glenn Horiuchi, Jon Jang, Tatsu Aoki, Mwata Bowden, Ed Wilkerson Jr., John Tchicai, James Newton, Cecil Taylor, Joseph Jarman, and others.  He is also known for his collaborations with San Francisco poet laureate Genny Lim, United States poet laureate Juan Filipe Herrera, choreographer Lenora Lee, taiko artist and culture bearer Melody Takata and Genryu Arts, and the traditional Chinese instrument ensemble Melody of China.  Most recently he has pursued collaborations with Karl Evangelista, David Boyce, PC Muñoz, Erika Oba, Scott Oshiro, and Chris Trinidad.

PERSONNEL: Francis Wong: tenor saxophone, Karl Evangelista: guitar, Chris Trinidad: bass guitar, synth bass, bass ukulele, Jimmy Biala: drum set, percussion

GENRES: Asian American Jazz, Avant-Garde, Free Jazz

INFLUENCES: Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, Max Roach, Fred Anderson

RELEASE YEAR: 2025

ALBUM CODE: IRK 2025 03