To say that Jay Pun is a busy guy is an understatement. The musician, restaurateur, educator, and father of two recently authored a children’s book, Som Tum and Sticky Rice, and co-founded VeryAsian VA, which in turn launched the VeryAsian VA Celebration. The fourth annual music event takes place on Friday, May 9, at Ting Pavilion, where Pun will perform with Afro Asia, one of his two bands. (His other act is the well-known duo with wife and musical partner, Morwenna Lasko.) Pun took a break from his schedule to field some questions in
the HotSeat ahead of the next task on his list.
Name: Jay Pun
Age: 44
Pronouns: he/him/that Thai noodle guy
Hometown: C’ville!
Job(s): Musician, educator, restaurateur, community organizer
What’s something about your job that people would be surprised to learn? We are good friends with all the other Thai restaurants and want each other to succeed and coexist. It doesn’t hurt our feelings if someone likes a dish better at another one of our friends’ places. Taste is subjective and we hope to have something for everyone.
What is music to you? Music is the deepest way to connect to anyone and everyone, no matter what differences people may have.
First concert you attended: UB40 at U-Hall when I was 10 years old.
Last concert you attended: Albemarle High School Jazz Band directed by Andrew LaPrade at the Paramount. He’s keeping the tradition of jazz education alive and well!
Why is supporting music education important? Music education helps guide students to listen to others and themselves often. It ultimately helps students realize that there are different perspectives, but they can make something beautiful together. It also helps understand other subjects more easily.
What are you listening to right now? Salin (Afro beat Thai funk), Butcher Brown, Lizzy McAlpine, and Maggie Rogers.
Favorite performance venue: The Paramount (we’ve only played there once, but hope to again!).
Favorite musician/composer: Morwenna Lasko, Pierre Bensusan, and Joni Mitchell
Go-to karaoke song: I don’t sing, but if I did, it’d be “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson.
Are there any superstitions you abide by? Nope.
Best advice you ever got: Work on being the best person you can be, everything else will follow.
Proudest accomplishment: Being a dedicated dad.
Best part of living here: The vibrant music history and connections I’ve made with people here and traveling through Charlottesville.
Worst part of living here: The food scene still doesn’t focus on or celebrate ethnic chefs or cuisine as much as Southern American cuisine. People also being reluctant to confront real problems like housing, equity, and inclusion.
Favorite Charlottesville restaurant: Biased but Chimm and Thai Cuisine & Noodle House. One that isn’t ours, probably Taste of China or Lampo.
Favorite Charlottesville venue: WTJU Offbeat Roadhouse stage
Favorite Charlottesville landmark/attraction: Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
Bodo’s order: Lox with herb cream cheese, on plain (dark bagel) with egg, cucumber, red onion, and tomato, cut in half.
Describe a perfect day: Wake up and have a cup of French-press coffee (Stumptown), a nature walk with the kids, a bowl of noodles for lunch, play on the beach in the afternoon with the kids, dinner (Thai or Italian), play a great show with Morwenna at a beautiful venue, then bath and stories before bed with the kids.
If you could be reincarnated as a person or thing, what would you be? Whatever is meant to be.
If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? 1) Our human race to actively start taking care of the Earth. 2) Good health care for everyone. 3) Understanding and acceptance of others who have varying views/lifestyles.
Most embarrassing moment: July 2002 opening up for Dave Matthews Band on the sidestage in Boston. I grabbed the mic to talk, lost my balance, and almost fell off the stage.
Do you have any pets? Romeo, a King Charles spaniel
Favorite movie and/or show: Coming to America (movie) and “Treme” (TV).
Favorite book: Questlove’s Mo’ Meta Blues
Who’d play you in a movie? Bruno Mars
What’s your comfort food/meal? Som Tum (Thai papaya salad) and sticky rice
Subject that causes you to rant? Cultural appropriation, specifically food, when people say they are going to “elevate” a culture’s food.
Best journey you ever went on: Morwenna’s and my 2015 tour for our album The Hollow, all over Italy including C’ville’s sister city, Poggio a Caiano. The audiences were so enthusiastic.
Next journey: Thailand!
Favorite curse word or favorite word: Serendipitous
Hottest take/most unpopular opinion: Personally, I’m okay with not being paid from my music being streamed (even 1 million times) … it’s my art that I gift to the world. The benefits of its reach outweighs trying to convince people to buy physical media, which could ultimately mean not having someone hear it.
What have you forgotten today? Where I parked!
Jay Pun performs with Afro Asia at the fourth annual VeryAsian VA Celebration on Friday, May 9, at the Ting Pavilion, with Prabir, Downbeat Project, Sylvia Chong, Laughing Dragon Kung Fu, and Hiromi Johnson. Supplied photo.
