shanghai jazz scene .com

Yes, it is true. The gorgeous bright orange lane house that has been the home of Shanghai’s jazz education nexus for most of the last two years will soon cease to be such, and the jazz school will move to a larger space in the same neighborhood. The new location, which is is still undergoing renovations, is located in a lane off Wukang rd near Hunan rd. It has more space than the current location, including more large rooms for ensemble classes, rehearsals, kids classes, and even a larger room for student concerts which will double as a dance studio.

There are beautiful green tree views from many of the windows, and the charm of the French Concession is just as strong as the old JZ School’s lane house. The new space will be open just in time for the fall semester to begin, and of course that will mean lots of great back-to-school packages and class offers.

The new location is Wu Kang Rd Lane 280 - No.12, which is between the Hunan Rd junction and Ferguson lane. A good reference point is the Elementary School on the corner of Wukang Rd and Lane 280. They’ve just torn down some old ugly buildings in front of it and renovated it.

For other news about new classes and events for fall 2008 at the school, check the school’s website.

This piano man, who has been gracing Shanghai with his musical and educational presence increasingly over the last few years, will return to Shanghai next week. He’ll run two more jazz piano master classes at the JZ School, as well as performing at JZ Club for a Monday night trio show on the 24th. He will have a few special guests joining the trio as well, so come check it out, especially if you missed him last time he was around.

Here’s the entire schedule of Burnett’s clinics and performances:

March 23, 2008, 2:00pm: Jazz Piano Master Class at JZ School, 270 Wuyuan rd near Yongfu rd. Admission: free (but call 5403 6475 to reserve a seat beforehand)

March 24, 2008 10:00pm: JZ Club. Burnett Thompson, Pianist; EJ Parker, Bassist; Chris Trzcinski, Drums. Performing original works from the “Creation Jazz Suite” and the “Planet Suite”. Admission: free

March 30, 2008, 1300h Jazz Piano Master Class at JZ School, 270 Wuyuan rd near Yongfu rd. Admission: free (but call 5403 6475 to reserve a seat beforehand)