Commissioned by the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art, Stephanie Chou presents original scores to two early Asian American–focused silent films

The Tong Man
Director: William Worthington. Released: 1919. Country: US. Length: 58 min. Format: DCP. Silent with English intertitles.

Sessue Hayakawa, the first Asian American actor to achieve fame in Hollywood, stars in this crime drama as a hit man for a Chinatown gang. His bosses order him to kill an opium smuggler impinging on their turf. The only problem is the smuggler is the father of the woman he loves. Hayakawa was known for his energetic, macho acting style, and his performance here doesn’t disappoint.

New Score Composed by Stephanie Chou
Project info: https://www.stephaniechoumusic.com/si...

Performed at Joe's Pub at the Public, NYC
May 7, 2026

Stephanie Chou - voice, alto saxophone, compositions
Andy Lin - erhu, viola
Hyuna Park - piano
Matt Aronoff - bass
Ronen Itzik - drums, percussion

Special thanks to Tom Vick and the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

"A Wonderful Trip Through History...
Chou’s composition leans heavily on older jazz palettes, with appropriate film noir ambiance during the scenes of criminals scheming and hanging out in alleyways. She also sings an excellent number during the climactic last sequence, with the film playing an excellent accompaniment to her performance of the song.
Both compositions matched the films quite well – a more grounded jazz set for the crime thriller, and then a much more psychedelic suite for the mysterious horror film. And both times, the soundtrack steals the show."
-Broadway World


Video edit by George Mantzoutsos

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