May jazz festival, JQ to Yangshuo, James Danderfer concert
Here is an article I wrote for Smart Shanghai about the Jazzy Shanghai festival that will be happening this week at Fuxing park.
I’m going out of town myself until thursday, so I will miss Lisa Ono (that’s ok, it’s sold out anyway) but I hope to check out at least some of Thursday’s show. I won’t get to see much, though, because we have the Norwegian organ trio “Solid” joining us at JZ the same night…and although it is not the same organist we have played with before, it is the same drummer from a recent concert I played with Steinar together. I believe this organist will borrow Steinar’s rig for Thursday’s concert. It will be a fun show, as Alec and I will play with the three of them together, making quite a unique quintet.
Where am I going? You ask. I am heading down to the beautiful faraway location of Yangshuo. For a gig? Well, sort of. It’s sort of a gig/holiday, where Andy Hunter and I have been kindly invited by the fantastic folks down at Chinaclimb to play some music at their bar, the Lizard Lounge, in exchange for some help with our plane tickets, a place to stay, free drinks, and some free rock climbing. It promises to be a relaxing few days, which I am more than ready for at this point…so, if you happen to be headed that way yourself for the May holiday, come down and say hi! The bar has been there for quite a while so you won’t have any trouble finding it, plus the added sounds of brass music coming out the door should be enough of a cue.
Also happening tonight (Monday 30th) at JZ, which I will unfortunately miss, is a very special concert put on by James Danderfer. This concert is a culmination of a project he has been working on for some months now, music he has been composing through the graces of Canadian support for the arts. Entitled “Accelerated Development,” the music is all inspired by Shanghai and the crazy pace that it moves. Here’s the official blurb he sent me (a long time ago already, sorry James):
James Danderfer’s “Accelerated Development” Project
…the Vancouver-Shanghai connectionCanadian jazz clarinetist/composer James Danderfer has been called “One of the best kept jazz secrets in Canada,… a truly remarkable musician.” (-Bill King, Jazz Preview, Jazz FM91.1). The Canada Council For the Arts recently awarded James with an artist’s grant to support his most recent musical project: the study of Chinese culture, language, and music in Shanghai. James’ “Accelerated Development” project will team up six of the finest young talents from Canada and China to bring you a musical portrait inspired by modern Shanghai, a juggernaut of development and a city of contrast.
Also here’s the ad for the show. Check it out! It’s going to be fantastic!
Then, after I get back from my short trip down south, I’ll play with Lawrence Ku’s Septet at the festival on Friday. I will also join the JZ All-star Big Band for their set on Saturday afternoon. Lots more happening next month, including a jazz festival in Beijing and the first of a monthly concert series put on by JZ School and a few art galleries. I will write about them when I get back. Really, I promise…
May 1st, 2007 at 3:14 am
Would love to hear more about later May. I’ll be in town the 17th, 18th, 29th and 30th of May. Probably some early June, too…
May 9th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Hi J.Q,
I’m Eugene from bconnected swiss jazz band. I red with carefully yours all comments about the artist performed at Jazz Shanghai last week. I’d like to let you know that I just red a positive comment about your performance with Lawrence Ku, maybe its because you play in that band ?! I think personnaly you are a little frustrated as a musician. Its pitty thats your comments were very negative for all bands (not only bconnected…)
You should try to found your own band and touring around the world as we are doing with bconnectedand others bands playing at that festival…., and maybe we can talk again in few years if you are agree !!??
Best to you.
Eugene
May 10th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Hi Eugene, thanks for the feedback. Maybe I was unfairly negative in my comments about many of the groups who played at the festival. However, I try to frame these types of comments as my personal opinion and not necessarily the objective quality of the bands’ music. So I hope that readers who have also been to the festival can express their own opinions too (which a few have).
What did you think of the other bands at the festival? How many of them did you get to check out? I’d like to hear your opinion too.
Good luck on the rest of your tour! Cheers,
JQ