Canto-jazz is a unique fusion of the two musical styles
Light jazz is breathing new life into the formulaic world of Canto-pop, creating a fresh sound with a uniquely local flavour, writes Rachel Mok
Music lovers, critics as well as performers, have long complained about a soulless Canto-pop scene, where "k songs"- numbers created with karaoke renditions in mind - have come to define the genre. But in recent years, the rise of independent bands such as Chochukmo and singer-songwriters like Khalil Fong Dai-tung has given some much-needed variety and a bit of edge to the scene.
Local artists have been turning to jazz to add a touch of class to their music - and finding success. Established stars such as Jacky Cheung Hok-yau and Karen Mok Man-wai have respectively released jazz albums Private Corner and Somewhere I Belong, and younger artists including Ivana Wong Yuen-chi, Eman Lam Yee-man and Kay Tse On-kei haven't been far behind in using jazz arrangements.
Bianca Wu Lam has perhaps made the most headway in the genre. Since returning from the US about six years ago to launch a music career, Wu has released five original albums. Her 2006 debut Love Notes was marketed as "pop jazz", a term rarely used then.
She has also made three albums of covers - Bianca Sings Timeless, Jazz Them Up and Bianca Sings Tess - featuring a selection of standards, Canto-pop and classics from the late Taiwanese songstress Teresa Teng Li-jun.
Wu often hears industry professionals describe jazz as tough to produce and market. She disagrees.