Dear Amber - Jazz and China from a Different Perspective

Chinese braille... fascinating stuff.  I've been asked about that subject by my American friends and family more than once, so now I'll have an answer.

I've found these translations of braille at www.yellowbridge.com:

点字diǎnzì

用盲字印yòngmángzìyìn
盲人用点字法mángrén yòng diǎnzì fǎ

Which would be the most common term to use in conversation?

A charming visit with two interesting guests. There are so many talented musicians in China and I think that it is only a matter of time before we see some great fusion and new, original music coming out of China. You are a refreshing hostess, Amber.

Good show! The JZ Club is a great place to check out jazz in Shanghai.  They have different styles and often bring in some well-known international acts.  Aside from Beijing, it seems likes most other cities I've been to in China have almost no jazz scene.  For most Chinese, Kenny G may be the only jazz they know. (If I never have to hear Songbird  again in China, I'll be happy for the rest of my life.)

A good blog for finding out about Shanghai jazz:

http://shanghaijazzscene.com/blog/ 

Amber's super-Canadian moment from this podcast:

Oh, that's true, hey? (13:25)

:)

BTW, I had an interesting talk with Anthony when he visited ChinesePod. Here's a picture of his PDA, which I found fascinating:

Dude! Murray James!! I met you in Chengdu when you first came to China a few months ago. My name's Josh and we got real saxy together at the Bookworm. I still have your weird cleaning lady business card. Write me a message if you see this!

Foleaudu (and anyone else interested)- the jazz scene in Chengdu is decent, if you can find it... (The Music House in Yu Lin Sheng Huo Guang Chang 玉林生活广场 most nights) As for any aspiring musicians, I think you will find Chengdu a great city to play in. I'm a sax player in pretty much Chengdu's only jazz band and I have had a great experience since I came over from the U.S. a few months ago. Except for a period of time after the earthquake I have enjoyed a steady supply of gigs, warm, receptive audiences, and met a really friendly (although small) community of fellow musicians.

If there are any fellow jazz musicians in China reading this send me a message!

I'm curious about jazz at the Peace Hotel 和平饭店 in Shanghai.  I saw a group of elderly Chinese playing jazz there in 1983. Supposedly they were the same musicians from the early years. The hotel was closed for renovations when I visited Shanghai last year.

-Steve

Could anyone recommend some good Chinese jazz artists?

As for Braille, the term I learned while working with blind children in 宁夏 (Ning2xia4) was "盲文 (mang2wen2)"

Hi kimgibbier,

I'll check out the scene there next time I'm in Chengdu.  Actually, I should've plugged myself and my city.  I am in a jazz/funk band here in Suzhou (I play keyboards) and we occasionally play gigs at J&J's cafe.  We met through the Suzhou Bookworm at their weekly Wednesday night open mic's.  While I've met a lot of musicians, I've met few who are familiar with jazz.   If anyone is in Suzhou and plays music (or just likes to listen) , come out to Wednedays at the Bookworm :)

Hi daofeishi,

Coco Zhao and the Possicobilities are a good place to start.  The singer is very well-known around China (and internationally I believe).

Also, just saw that there will be a jazz festival in Shanghai from Sept. 19 - 21.  A great way to check out the local musicians...

Thanks foleaudu. Since you're in the funk scene yourself, do you know about any Chinese funk/jazz-rock that would be worth checking out?

Hi Joachim,

I'm not sure of the technical requirements for that, but I will ask Anthony to come and let us know how he uses the site!

Hi daofeishi,

I don't know of any Chinese funk bands.  The Chinese bands in my area are mostly hard rock or pop-ish.  I definitely plan to go to the Shanghai jazz festival, and it looks like there might be a few local bands that fit into the jazz-rock mold.  Maybe a Shanghai or Beijing resident could let us know about some more bands and artists to check out?

Hi Joachim,

Update from Anthony on your question.  This is what he says:

A musician worth mentioning in this context is Steve Sweeting. He's a Jazz piano teacher/player from NYC living in Shanghai teaching Jazz, and he's also active in the Shanghai concert scene. Last year, I produced a CD with Coco and Steve, which was a fusion of Chinese traditional folk songs and Jazz. It was made to be a wedding gift for my wife. We compiled:

Hua Fei Hua, Xiao He Tang Shi, Ali Shan, Zai Na Yao, Ming Yue Qian, Wei Shenme, Tai Yang, Hong Cai Mei Mei, Pao ma Liu Liu. You may want to listen to my favorite track here:

http://quosdorf.net/HuaFeiHua/

Frank

Amber I love your podcast but the background highhat throughout the entire show kinda gets to your head after a while.

Thanks s0395617.  That's gorgegous music.  I would love to get a copy if it is available.  Do the two of them perform live at all?

yes, they do. Next time is Sunday, August 10th, 3pm, at Shanghai Oriental Art Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu, near Century Blvd. More information is available here: http://www.shanghaiexpat.com/Channels-events.phtml

I'm sure Steve and Coco will have copies with them on Sunday.

Frank