All that jazz
Jazz aficionados and novices alike are in for a treat as the third Hong Kong International Jazz Festival kicks off on October 3. 'The Old, the New and the Chosen Few' is the theme of the programme, which will include a mix of young Chinese and Asian talents as well as internationally renowned musicians. More than 10 groups will perform in six concerts and there will be a number of workshops during the six-day event.
Setting the stage at the Piazza in the Cultural Centre next Sunday will be the Australian group Logic (below) and The Buzz Bros Band from Holland, whose music has been described as 'adventurous, freely interpreted, electric, acoustic funky jazz'. They'll be followed by the Sylvain Gagnon Quintet, who promise 'well-seasoned' music, and the Renfrew Group, comprising local players who attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Other highlights include Rusconi, a trio from Switzerland, the Joey Calderazzo Quartet and Stanley Jordan, both from the United States. Rusconi deliver a lively, quirky fusion that has been called the future of jazz. Their performance will include music from their latest album, It's a Sonic Life, which was inspired by rock group Sonic Youth.
Jazz pianist Calderazzo is a member of Branford Marsalis' group but he also leads his own quartet in addition to a solo career.
Jordan is known among jazz fans for his electric guitar technique call 'tapping' and his interest in music therapy and sonification.
The rest of the festival line-up includes Wild Grappa Fruit from France, Pekka Pylkkanen Global Unit (apparently featuring the only acoustic-electric bass player in the jazz world, Ronan Guilfoyle) and the John Thomas Trio from Malaysia.
