In a groundbreaking performance at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey, a symphonic jazz masterpiece titled ‘O God… Beautiful Machine’ captivated an audience of 1,200. The event, held on a vibrant Saturday evening, brought together an orchestra, jazz ensemble, choir, and Chinese instrumentalists in a harmonious blend of languages and musical timbres. The performance, a collaborative effort by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa and composer Vince di Mura, explored the delicate relationship between humanity and the Earth. The concert, presented by the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, was dedicated to the late Trenton arts advocate Larry Hilton, whose vision and encouragement were instrumental in bringing this unique project to life. Hilton’s sister, Karen Hilton, shared heartfelt remarks about his belief in the unifying power of art. The evening featured a standout Chinese-language section, ‘The Cassowary,’ which showcased the pipa and Chinese percussion, described by di Mura as a tribute to his Chinese friends and inspired by traditional Chinese melodies. The performance also highlighted the talents of Chinese and Chinese American musicians, including soprano Lina Zha, violist Jing Yang, and pipa soloist Yang Jin, whose careers have bridged Eastern and Western musical traditions. Narrator Bill Engst added a bilingual gravitas to the event. The music, a seamless dialogue between improvisation and structure, Western harmony and Eastern lyricism, left the audience in a prolonged standing ovation, many feeling a profound connection across cultures and traditions.