Student Lilian Wu, Finds New Tune in Jazz Drumming

GOLDEN GATE XPRESS -- At center stage in a dimly lit auditorium, formally trained piano player Lilian Wu riffs and shuffles smoothly into her drums, giving music lovers an afternoon of jazz drumming masterpieces. Wu, who is receiving her Bachelor of Music in jazz performance, grew up playing classical piano and began playing the jazz drums just five years ago. She presented her senior recital for family, friends and former teachers as the first jazz drummer at SF State April 12. “Jazz really challenges every part of you because as a human being and a musician, it takes an incredible about of work,” Wu said. Andrew Speight is lecturer in the School of Music who has been teaching for the past 15 years. He said he cannot recall another female drummer in the SF State jazz band, a music performance ensemble available to music students.