Jeff Tang

Creative Arts & Culture Producer // Opera • Jazz • Music & Wellness • Public Programming & Live Conversations • Multimedia Narrative Features • Podcasts • Education

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

About

I produce bold cross-disciplinary projects that unite artists, institutions, and communities to shape transformative cultural experiences. My workfellows include the Metropolitan Opera, the Kennedy Center, National Sawdust, San Francisco Opera, the Sound Health Network, musicians, poets, filmmakers, artists, architects, scientists, and jugglers.

Experience

  • Senior Producer & Strategic Advisor • Foundations and Futures at UCLA Asian American Studies Center
    Feb 2025 - Present · 1 yr 6 mos

    Coming Soon! "Foundations and Futures: Asian American and Pacific Islander Multimedia Textbook," produced by the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, is the most comprehensive, scholar informed, online history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This collection redefines the American narrative for high school, college and lifelong learners, opening unlimited possibilities for building a more inclusive, equitable and democratic future for all.

  • Executive Creative Producer • Real Magic at ... (Iphigenia) a new opera by Wayne Shorter & esperanza spalding
    Jan 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 7 mos

    Co-founder of Real Magic with 5x-Grammy Award-winning composer, bassist, and vocalist esperanza spalding. Real Magic was created to produce "... (Iphigenia)," a new opera created by spalding with 11x-Grammy Award-winning jazz icon Wayne Shorter, and scenic design by luminary architect Frank Gehry. Sold out 5 city tour completed in 2022. Future performances to be announced.

  • Executive Producer • Optimistic Chaos at Optimistic Chaos, a documentary film
    May 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 3 mos

    An independent documentary film directed by Jon Fine, currently in production. Executive producers include Carolina Shorter, esperanza spalding, and Mika Shino. Legendary saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter, in his mid 80’s and facing seemingly insurmountable health challenges, calls on his closest friends including acclaimed jazz artist esperanza spalding and iconic architect Frank Gehry to help him finish his grand opus - the opera he’d started writing at age 19. Racing against time, they leap headfirst into the unknown for Shorter’s final creative act in this profound portrait of intergenerational collaboration and friendship.

  • Lumahai Productions (10 yrs 3 mos)
    • The San Francisco Opera • Producer
      Jan 2023 - Present · 3 yrs 7 mos

      • Produced the symposium "Beyond Innocence: The Power of Community and the Arts & the Prevention of Gun Violence" with national advocacy partners including Live Free USA, GIFFORDS, W. Kamau Bell, and more (May 2024), coordinating teams from artistic, marketing, operations, and diversity, equity & community • Consulting Producer for "In Song," a Webby Award-winning digital performance and artist portrait series

    • The Cleveland Orchestra • Consulting & Content Producer, In Focus
      Sep 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 11 mos

      Feature producer for digital content including artist interviews, behind-the-scenes features, visual sequences, and more. Artists include John Adams, Thomas Adès, Gabriella Smith, Carlos Simon, and more.

    • NationalSawdust+: performance & conversation • Producer
      May 2016 - Present · 10 yrs 3 mos

      Producer and co-programmer for Elena Park's lively performance & conversation series bringing together luminaries from across disciplines who share their passion for music, and explore ideas and current issues, making surprising connections. Participating artists: Yo-Yo Ma, Ava DuVernay, Esperanza Spalding, Laurie Anderson, Carrie Mae Weems, Patti Smith, Caroline Shaw, Pussy Riot, Julie Taymor, Min Jin Lee, Radiolab's Jad Abumrad, and many more.

  • Producer • Little Amal, Queen of the Monarchs at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
    Jun 2023 - Nov 2023 · 6 mos

    Lead producer for a free public social impact event featuring Little Amal (a 12-foot puppet of a Syrian refugee girl, on her tour walking across America) directed by Debbie Allen, featuring over 150 student dancers from 13 Los Angeles schools. Liaised with Beverly Hills City Council, The Kia Forum, and multiple stakeholders and community partners.