Archive for the ‘upcoming events’ Category

Jazz Piano Recital by Franck Amsallem, France

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
September 28, 2008
7:45 pmto9:45 pm

Was browsing the culture.sh.cn site and happened across this jazz piano recital coming up at the Oriental Arts Center at the end of the month.  Sounds interesting, judging from the pianist’s bio it should be a good concert as he has played with many great musicians and lived and worked in New York for many years.  Hopefully he will come jam at the club after his gig, then we can hear him really tear it up with a rhythm section.

Details:

Jazz Piano Recital by Franck Amsallem
Sept. 28th, 2008 19:45 (Sun.)
Venue:
Shanghai Oriental Art Center – Performance Hall
Ticket Price (RMB):
300, 180, 120, 60 Yuan

David Friesen solo concert with Lawrence Ku

Thursday, September 11th, 2008
September 14, 2008
3:00 pmto5:00 pm

The next in the series of concerts put on by JZ at the Pudong Oriental Arts Center, the David Friesen show promises to be quite a bit different than the others.  Solo bass, especially upright bass, seems like the most difficult sort of instrument to perform solo on.  Let alone entire concerts!  But I have faith that it will be good, since he is known as a master of the instrument and his solo concerts are purported to be phenomenal.

Plus he’s got Lawrence Ku joining him, so that should change things up a bit as well.  If you didn’t know, Lawrence Ku is Shanghai’s jazz guitar guru whose skills are unparalleled in China.

Friesen will also be performing at the Shanghai Jazz Festival the following weekend, and will give a master class at JZ School. More on that once the times are announced.

For more information, check the JZ Club website or call 021-5403-0187.  For tickets, call 962388.

David Friesen solo bass concert
Sun, Sep 14 at 3:00PM
At: Shanghai Oriental Art Center
Tickets from 100-200 RMB

A month of big jazz concerts

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
September 6, 2008
8:00 pmto10:00 pm

George Benson and Al Jarreau this Saturday


If you haven’t heard about this concert yet, then you probably don’t ride in taxis, watch TV, browse any of Shanghai’s bigger magazines or websites, and don’t have friends who are into this kind of music. Either that or you’re really good at ignoring advertising and your friends. In any case, it’s likely to be a good show since either of these two individually put on a great show as it is, at least according to everyone I know who have seen either of them live before.

I’ve got my tickets already. You can get yours from a few places, including mypiao and Smart Shanghai. Or call mypiao at 400-620-6006.

George Benson and Al Jarreau
Saturday, September 6, 8:00pm
YunFeng theater, 1700 Beijing Xi Lu near Jiaozhou Lu
ticket prices: 480rmb-1280rmb

And of course, the Shanghai Jazz Festival

This jazz festival, great as it’s going to be, won’t actually feature so much jazz as it does other kinds of music. But that’s the beauty of a good outdoor music festival, variety to keep the ears feeling fresh. From world-renowned DJ Gilles Peterson to Taiwanese jazz-pop singer-songwriter Joanna Wang, as well as the best of Shanghai’s own jazz groups like Abraham Carmona, Coco Zhao’s Possicobilities, and the Lawrence Ku trio, the festival should be a great couple of days.  Check out the detailed schedule here.

For tickets to the Shanghai Jazz Festival, call 021-962388 or online at Smart Shanghai. For general information about the festival, call 021-54030187 or check the festival website.

The 2008 Shanghai Jazz Festival
September 19-21
Jing An Park, with gates on Nanjing lu, Huashan lu, and Yan’an lu
Tickets: 100rmb/day (70rmb/day for students)

Jasmine and Steve CD release this Friday

Tuesday, August 26th, 2008

The new duo album
Concert promoting “The Color of Love” at twocities gallery

I’m a big fan of the music Steve and Jasmine have done on this album, which I’ve had the privilege of listening to in pre-release form. All the music on there is fantastic, and it’s a surprise that such simple instrumentation can still create the range of sounds they do on this recording. But also, as much as I dig the album, hearing their live performance of the music is sublime. I think it’s because one can see how the music is affecting everyone else, which makes it affect yourself even more!

And of course, every concert I’ve been to at twocities gallery has been great. I would even venture to say it is personally my favorite venue in town to play at, because everyone is there just to hear the music, and it’s not formal and uptight like a concert hall. Nearly every other venue in town that has regular jazz is still mostly about drinking and socializing, with jazz as a sort of background to create an atmosphere. Having the audience’s devoted attention really makes the musicians give extra-special performances.

Details:
Friday, August 29 7:30pm – 9:30pm, free entry
twocities gallery, 50 Moganshan Lu, Building 0, 2nd floor

for more info contact twocities:
52521518 or info@twocitiesgallery.com