JZ Spring jazz festival comes marching in
People relax on the grass during last year's jazz festival
The city’s annual jazz festival JZ Spring will return to Jing’an District on April 29.
Through May 2, the four-day extravaganza will stage performances along Nanjing Road W. and in local shopping malls.
This year’s festival, Better Music, Better Life, will be opened by Dutch singer Laura Fygi who will debut her latest album “Laura Goes East” at the Shanghai Center Theater. The album was made with Chinese musicians.
On April 30, John Daversa, Grammy winning American trumpeter, will give his first show in Shanghai, accompanied by the JZ All-Star Big Band.
On May 1, Steve Smith, member of the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame, will perform with his band Vital Information NYC Edition.
Except for these three indoor concerts, all the outdoor shows will be free of charge.
People can enjoy the spring breeze and music on the lawns in Jing’an Park, walking along Nanjing Road W. or at Jing’an Kerry Center, HKRI Taikoo Hui and the Fengshengli mall.
“China has more than 3,000 music festivals, but JZ Spring is special and unique. It’s not restricted to a lawn. Instead, it will have the whole of Jing’an brimming with jazz,” said Ren Yuqing, founder of JZ Spring.
Hua Xiangyi, deputy director of Jing’an Culture and Tourism Bureau, said some popular sites such as Joy City in Jing’an and Daning Park are likely to be included in next year’s festival.
The district’s cultural center holds frequent jazz lectures and concerts and sponsors a residents' jazz competition every year.
“I hope the festival will attract more enthusiasts who understand the synergy between jazz and the Shanghai spirit,” he added.
