Online Jazz programme “Jazz Composers’ Lab” launched

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has launched an online jazz programme, "Jazz Composers’ Lab", featuring jazz guitarist, composer and producer Alan Kwan. In eight episodes, Alan has invited four local jazz musicians, namely Lui Ngao-yuen, Sharon Lui, Victor Chu and Ted Lo, to share their original compositions. Kwan will also introduce different jazz styles and approaches to appreciating music.
 
     Details of programme are as follows (discussion sessions are conducted in Cantonese):

Episode 1 (released)
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Lui Ngao-yuen
Topic: Milky Way
Content: When Miles Davis, renowned American jazz trumpeter, formed The Second Great Quintet, he made extensive use of non-functional harmony in his compositions, reducing the need for orderly frameworks and allowing his personal style to shine through. The works of local jazz double bassist and composer Lui Ngao-yuen also share similar elements. His "Milky Way" was conceptualised from his experience with the starry sky.
 
Episode 2
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Lui Ngao-yuen
Topic: A Simple Word Between You And Me
Content: American saxophonist Dave Liebman once said that when people who play or study jazz get to a certain level of proficiency, playing free jazz is inevitable if they want to start doing it professionally. Local jazz double bassist and composer Lui Ngao-yuen debunks the myth that free jazz has no sheet music with "A Simple Word Between You and Me".
 
Episode 3
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Sharon Lui
Topic: Sakura and…
Content: Sharon Lui, one of the few women and jazz violinists in the local jazz scene, steps into an exotic fantasy to a 5/4 signature with "Sakura And…" to introduce gypsy jazz compositions.
 
Episode 4
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Sharon Lui
Topic: Valse du Cambodge
Content: With its swinging rhythms, jazz was originally music for dancing and entertainment. "Valse du Cambodge", which incorporates waltz, is a work by local jazz violinist Sharon Lui.
 
Episode 5
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Victor Chu
Topic: Momentum
Content: Local jazz guitarist Victor Chu excels at a variety of musical styles, from rock and roll, blues, to jazz. In this episode, he will share with the host, Alan, his career as a composer and talk about the different musical styles which have influenced his work. "Momentum" is one of his signature fusion jazz pieces.
 
Episode 6
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Victor Chu
Topic: Flashback
Content: For guitarist Victor Chu, studying music in the United States was a truly enlightening experience. This is why, when he wrote "Flashback" to reminisce about the past, he added elements of neo-soul, R&B and jazz to express the rhythms of life that he wanted the piece to convey. Alan and Victor will deconstruct the way in which we listen to a fusion jazz work.
 
Episode 7
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Ted Lo
Topic: Coconuts
Content: Ted Lo, Hong Kong's own "godfather of jazz", is a wizard with the keyboard and synthesizer. He began using these electronic sounds in his compositions back when fusion jazz first gained popularity on the jazz scene. In this episode, he will reinterpret "Coconuts", a fusion jazz piece recorded in 1987, and share his thoughts on making the transition from playing traditional jazz to fusion jazz, and on the development of the music scene of the time.
 
Episode 8
Hosts: Alan Kwan
Guest: Ted Lo
Topic: Ready, Whatever!
Content: A return to the basics: in this episode, Ted Lo is invited to revisit "rhythm changes", a key framework of the bebop era, and compose a work with it. Rhythm changes originated from the popular jazz standard "I Got Rhythm", and were used by numerous bandleaders such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman to create new classics. Ted's new work "Ready, Whatever!" serves as an introduction to the style and history of bebop.
 
     Episode 1 has been released. Other episodes will be available online soon. To view the online programme, please visit the LCSD's one-stop Edutainment Channel at www.lcsd.gov.hk/edutainment/en/performing_arts/page_640.html. For programme enquiries or more information, please call 2268 7321 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1082.html.