LCSD launches online music programme “Jazz Un-cancelled”

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has launched an online jazz music programme "Jazz Un-cancelled", an online site-specific project held at the Kwai Tsing Theatre. The four-episode project aims to explore music improvisation with surprise elements, integrating different parts of life (such as meditation and coffee making) with different genres played out in various spaces of the theatre (such as the dressing room, loading bay, foyer, etc) to expand the possibilities of staging.

     The first two episodes are available for viewing online and others will be released very soon. Discussion sessions are conducted in Cantonese. Programme details are as follows:

First episode: "Jazz, World Music & Percussion"
Content is from Hong Kong-born drummer Anna Fan, who holds a music degree from the Hong Kong Baptist University, majoring in percussion. In 2008, she studied jazz drumming at the Berklee College of Music in the US. She also formed the band Da Jian, which focuses on mixing jazz with ethnic rhythms. Their performance is held at the theatre's loading bay, where they explore some vigorous, powerful and energetic rhythms.
Da Jian band members are Anna Fan (drums), Perkin Yu (low tom) and Tracy Lam (snare, repique).
Guests are Kenny Lin (saxophone), Kaho Wong (saxophone, flute), Joey Wong (percussion) and Jason Leung (percussion).

Second episode: "Jazz & Mindfulness"
Content is from Angelita Li, who is regarded as one of the most prominent singers of jazz and Brazilian music in Hong Kong. She is also a certified yoga instructor and meditation practitioner. Backed by soft jazz played by Alan Kwan and friends at the foyer of the Kwai Tsing Theatre, the alluring voice of famed jazz singer Li creates a meditative space that lures the audience in.
Band members are Angelita Li (vocal), Alan Kwan (guitar), Scott Dodd (upright bass) and Dean Li (drums).

Third episode: "Chamber Jazz & Hand-Drip Coffee"
Content here comes from a cup of good coffee, and is the creative drive behind Teriver Cheung and his musicians that make up Ensemble Transience. In this performance, they invite Vincent Hung, an outstanding barista in Hong Kong, to share the "stage" with them. Vincent has been featuring live jazz at his cafés to promote music culture in Hong Kong. The sounds of making coffee and jazz come together to create some amazing music.
Band members are Teriver Cheung (guitar, composition), Rebecca Li (cello), Bowen Li (keyboard) and Samuel Chan (drums). The guest barista is Vincent Hung.

Fourth episode: "Jazz & Ambience"
Content is from Mike Yip, who is more than just a traditional jazz musician, is deeply fascinated by the sounds and textures of the modular synthesiser and is keen to explore the ambience that it brings. In this new project with fellow musicians Vic Tsui, Olivier Cong and special guest Nelson Hiu, he and the band have transformed the theatre's dressing room into a performance space filled with a unique sound and ambience.
Thisisthewaytheworldends band members are Mike Yip (eurorack synthesiser, electric guitar), Vic Tsui (percussions, synthesiser) and Olivier Cong (voice, electric organ). The guest is Nelson Hiu (keyboard).

     To view the online programme, please visit the LCSD's one-stop Online Resources Centre at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/onlineresources.html. For programme enquiries or more information, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp.