While we're still reeling from the news that JZ Club will be closings the doors to its iconic Fuxing Lu location on May 14 (don't worry they're opening a bigger place this year), the JZ folks are living by the motto, "the show must go on." Their annual JZ Spring Festival takes over Jing'an this May holiday with free concerts held throughout Jing'an Park, Jing'an Temple Square, Jing An Kerry Centre and other locations. As per tradition, each night caps off with a Shanghai Centre Theatre show featuring an international stalwart. On April 30, the festivities kick off with a When Jazz Meets China concert bringing award-winning trumpeter Gast Waltzing with JZ staple Li Xiaochuan. Before the concert, we got a few minutes with Waltzing.
You recently performed at JZ Club with Li Xiaochuan for some preview shows. How was the experience and what can people expect from this upcoming shows?
It was a wonderful experience to play with Li Xiaochuan and his fellow Chinese musicians at the JZ Club in Shanghai, and it was particularly interesting to witness how musicians from two very different corners of the world can communicate with one another on a musical level so easily.
Why did you decide to work with Li Xiaochuan and are there any other Chinese jazz artists you would like to work with in the future?
As artistic director of the Festival International Echternach, I had invited Li Xiaochuan to perform with Luxembourgish jazz musicians. After the successful concert, plans to further a partnership were made while having Chinese food and the idea of a symphonic project was born. I recently met Le Zhang, a fantastic Chinese jazz singer, which led to possible collaborations in the future.
What are your thoughts on Shanghai’s jazz scene and what is its reputation like in Europe?
I think there is a very vital emerging jazz scene in Shanghai, which needs to be made know throughout Europe by means of getting Shanghai jazz musicians to play more over here.
You’re very well established in Luxembourg. What is Luxembourg’s jazz scene like these days and do you feel like interest in jazz is growing?
The jazz scene in Luxembourg has been growing steadily over the course of the past 30 years, which is mainly due to the success of the jazz department of the Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg.
You won the Best World Music album for your contributions to Angélique Kidjo’s album. Why did you decide to work with Angélique and what interests you in these sorts of collaborations?
The main reason for the collaboration with Angélique Kidjo is that I absolutely love her approach to African music. By putting her music in a symphonic setting, I wanted to show that there are no real boundaries between European classical music and the African musical heritage with its traditional instruments and rhythms.
How have your past shows in China been like and do you envision coming here more regularly?
I have been lucky to play in many Chinese cities, from Harbin to Fuzhou, via Beijing and Shanghai. As long as I get invited to play in China again, I will be delighted to come back.
Following this concert are there plans to continue this collaboration with Li Xiaochuan?
Yes. Absolutely.
Following your China shows, what are your plans?
Just back from Australia, where I performed with Angélique Kidjo at the WOMADelaide festival, I will conduct the Orchestre Philharmonique Luxembourg on May 4th, followed by a concert with the Orchestre Régional Bayonne Côte Basque in Biarritz, France, then with Angélique Kidjo on an open-air stage in Luxembourg, and in Prague, Czech Republic, with the National Czech Orchestra.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I absolutely love Chinese food!
Apr 30, 8pm, RMB180-880. Shanghai Centre Theater, tickets.
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