Hong Kong's jazz apex returns for its ninth edition
Outside of Peel Fresco's Sunday sessions, and the Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra's monthly gigs at the Fringe Club, Hong Kong has few dependable jazz events that feature local and international talents. The Hong Kong International Jazz Festival is counted on year after year to remedy this deficiency. This year's edition is no exception, and, now in it's ninth edition, the event is bringing a slew of great vocalists to the forefront.
Brazilian cellist Dom La Nena studied the cello all her life, and has rapidly made a name for herself with five releases in just over two years. Her debut album Ela in 2013 was hailed by NPR as a 'sonic masterpiece', and her most recent album, 2015's Soyo, includes songs written in four different languages, all by the cellist herself. Wed Sep 14, Hong Kong City Hall
Drummer Fabio Accardi is coming into the fragrant harbour from the Italian peninsula. Studying with the great Elvin Jones, Accardi's steadily rising career is into its second decade. He's also recorded widely with Bill Holman's Great Big Band and dozens of other Italian jazz artists, and will be in Hong Kong with his quintet in tow. Hong Kong City Hall, Tue Sep 13
Keeping the good grooves flowing out of the Han River are HG FunkTronic. The Korean funk quintet, led by Kim Honggie on drums, bring their unique brand of jazz, dubbed 'K-jazz', to Hong Kong stages for the festival, still hot off their 2015 release Ready For Change. Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sun Sep 11
Hitting this side of the Pacific are American fusion trio Idiot Fish 3. Consisting of Wally Schnalle on drums, Hristo Vitchev on guitar and Dan Robbins on bass, the group is Schnalle's brainchild and has been active for but the last 6 years. Together, the musicians strive to integrate technology with the ultimate sonic experience. Hong Kong Cultural Centre (Sep 11), Hong Kong City Hall (Sep 12)
Local singer Jolie Chan collaborates with the nine-strong Great Gatsby Band. Chan first arrived on the scene off a collaboration with Cantopop star Hacken Lee and has since delved into jazz and songwriting in addition to her cantopop activities. Hong Kong City Hall, Mon Sep 12
Soul power quartet Sonderins takes the stage with 2013 Yamaha Asian Beat Band Comeptition Best Vocalist Sonia Raphael, keyboardist and composer Ricky Wong, bassist Marcus Ho and rising drummer Dean Li, to collectively blow minds one tune at a time. Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sun Sep 11
Terry Yau brings straight-ahead jazz to the stage with his quartet. Yau brings musical acumen to the stage, as the Berklee alum and guitarist has studied with Richie Hart and Tomo Fujita, among others. Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sun Sep 11
Heavily influenced by the likes of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Elis Regina, Brazilian duo Veronica Nunes and Ricardo Vogt bring the unique combination of ukulele and guitar to the jazz stage. Returning from last year's festival, expect only the best Brazilian grooves. Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Sun Sep 11
Baltic guitarist Vladimir Vasileski is collaborating with drummer Benno Sattler, bassist Dionis Stratrov, and local pianist Patrick Lui to give us the best of the 70s, as he hears it. Critics note influences from Quincy Jones, Earth Wind and Fire, as well as acid-jazz band Jamiroquai. Hong Kong City Hall, Wed Sep 14
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