Shanghai Music Preview: JZ Festival

By Erica Martin, October 10, 2017

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Founded back in 2005 by Ren Yuqing, the garrulous owner of JZ Club and former bassist for Cui Jian’s band, JZ Festival is a classic annual event that’s become in some ways an essential component of Shanghai’s identity. Spread out over two days, it makes for a relaxing and memorable weekend.

Price

RMB260 per day presale, RMB320 per day at the door.

Details

When: October 14-15, 11am-10pm.
Where: Expo Park, see event listing.

Line-up Highlights

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The heavy hitters of this year’s line-up are a bit more throwback than in previous years: seminal 80s funk troupe Kool & the Gang will headline, along with former Police guitarist Andy Summers and his band The Blue Falcons.

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Chucho Valdes, the veteran Cuban pianist and bandleader who’s got five Grammys to his name, is another main headlining act.

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Fresher blood includes acclaimed Danish vocalist Sinne Eeg, who’ll perform with jazz pianist and fellow Dane Jacob Christoffersen, and Avishai Cohen Trio, led by the celebrated Israeli bass player who blends elements of the traditional folk music of his home region into his work. 

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Theo Croker

There's also Tia Ray, a Hunan-born vocalist who found fame after competing on The Voice of China and Singer, who'll be performing a set with notable New York trumpet player Theo Croker, who was formerly based in Shanghai.



Coco Zhao and the JZ Big Band performing ‘Shanghai Shanghlow’ (video by Nicky Almasy)

JZ’s main strength has always been its lovably curated local line-up – don’t miss performances by lynchpins of the Shanghai jazz scene like soaring vocalist Coco Zhao (who's performing this year as part of a Dutch collaboration project called the Shanghai-Amsterdam Express), the quintet led by jazz trumpeter Li Xiaochuan, veteran Shanghai-based electronic jazz fusion band Ttechmak, and lots more.


Full Line-up

(If you can only make it one of the days, note that most of the headliners are playing both Saturday and Sunday)

Saturday, Oct 14:


BMW Jazz Master Stage
13:00-14:15  Chris Dave and the Drumhedz
15:30-16:45  Avishai Cohen Trio
18:00-19:00  Till Brönner and A Bu
20:00-21:15  Chucho Valdés and Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trance

Stella Artois The River Stage
14:00-15:00  Nils Landgren Funk Unit
16:00-17:00  Andy Summers and the Blue Falcons
18:00-19:15  Theo Croker+袁娅维 Tia Ray
20:30-21:45  Kool & the Gang

Stella Artois Jazz Harbor
13:00-14:00  Eric Legnini Quartet
15:00-16:00  Karima Quintet
17:00-18:00  Tina May
19:15-20:30  Jeff Lorber Fusion

TME&SME Power of China Jazz
12:30-13:30  詹小栎 Zhan Xiaoli
14:00-15:00  Mr. Miss
15:30-16:30  依克拉木与爵士大叔 Ekram & Uncle Jazz
17:00-18:00  丝竹空爵士乐团 SIZHUKONG
18:30-19:30  李晓川五重奏 Li Xiaochuan Quintet
20:00-21:00  顾忠山“亚洲限定版三重奏”Lawrence Ku Trio featuring Michael Ning & John Thomas

JZ Superman Stage
12:00-13:00  Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra and Friends
14:00-15:00  李婕五重奏 Jade Lee Quintet
15:30-16:30  朱莉叶 Juliet Zhu
17:00-18:00  武汉爵起JZ Wuhan |Orinote
18:30-19:30  新蓝草乐队TOM PENG NEW GRASS BAND
20:00-21:30  Marutyri

JZ Solo Stage
14:00-15:00  Dolce Wang
15:30-16:30  Crobbs Beatbox
17:00-18:00  Yordan Kosotov
18:30-19:30  汪文伟 Wang Wenwei
20:00-21:00  Yannick Barman

Sunday, Oct 15:

BMW Jazz Master Stage
13:00-14:15  Till Brönner and A Bu
15:30-16:45  Avishai Cohen Trio
17:45-19:00  Chris Dave and the Drumhedz
20:00-21:15  Chucho Valdés and Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trance

Stella Artois The River Stage
14:00-15:00  Nils Landgren Funk Unit
16:00-17:00  Andy Summers and the Blue Falcons
18:00-19:15  Theo Croker+袁娅维 Tia Ray
20:00-21:45  Kool & the Gang

Stella Artois Jazz Harbor
13:00-14:00  Jocelyn B. Smith
15:00-16:00  Antonio Lizana Trio
17:00-18:00  Sinne Eeg with Jacob Christoffersen Trio
19:15-20:30  Jeff Lorber Fusion

TME&SME Power of China Jazz
12:30-13:30  张雄关四重奏Zhang Xiongguan Quartet
14:00-15:00  张乐五重奏 Zhang Le Quintet
15:30-16:30  J3 Trio
17:00-18:00  麦先生电力公司 TTechmak
18:30-19:30  上海-阿姆斯特丹专线  Shanghai Amsterdam Express
20:00-21:00  秦四风 Sedar Chin

JZ Superman Stage
12:00-13:00  Jazz Association Singapore Orchestra and Friends
14:00-15:00  Sambazz Quartet
15:30-16:30  Mads Mathias Quartet
17:00-18:00  广州爵起JZ Guangzhou | And Beat & 罗璟田爵士三重奏 Jingtian Luo Jazz Trio
18:30-19:30  Starlight Astronauts
20:00-21:30  Galen Weston Band

JZ Solo Stage
14:00-15:00  石磊
15:30-16:30  CK
17:00-18:00  安尼沃尔·哈力汗 Anuar Kaldekhan
18:30-19:30  汪文伟 Wang Wenwei
20:00-21:00  Yannick Barman


Bonus show info:

Oct 13: JZ Festival Kickoff Party

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The night before the festival kicks off, UNICO hosts the official opening party with performances by two notable jazz musicians and their bands. Belgian jazz pianist Eric Legnini will play with his quartet, while renowned Italian jazz vocalist Karima will perform with the backing of her quintet.
Oct 13, 10pm, RMB100. Unico Shanghai, see event listing.


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