It was a memorable, if windy and rainy, closing night at the 2010 Beijing Nine Gates JazzFestival in Beijing's Sanlitun Village, as France's Pierre Trio, pianist Xia Jia and six othermusicians took the stage to present a bright fusion of music.
Most of the audience comprised those who were attending for fun, rather than being seriousjazz aficionados - and this year should be no different.
Organizer Huang Yong, a veteran bass player and the founder of Nine Gates Jazz Festival,says everyone is in for a treat, as Nine Gates runs from Sept 9-18.
"Keeping the good old and bringing the promising new" is the theme of this year's program,which will include a mix of young Chinese and other Asian talents, as well as internationallyrenowned musicians.
Among the 30 groups, 14 are from China and 16 from countries like Japan, the United States,France, Argentina and Belgium. They will perform at nearly 50 concerts in various venuesacross the capital.
There will also be a number of workshops during the 10-day event, providing opportunities forfurther communication between audiences and musicians.
"Perhaps, years ago, most audiences didn't know why they should listen to jazz. They mighthave doubted China had jazz," Huang says.
"Now, mainstream audiences still have no idea about jazz, or their understanding about thatmusic genre is not complete, and even wrong. That is not good or bad. It's just how jazzaudiences here are and how jazz is growing up in the country."
Even so, Huang is satisfied.
"Though the festival has not made money, it's not losing money more importantly, we are happybecause unlike the audiences of 2006, the first year of the festival, more people love to listento jazz and learn about it."
Huang adds he is now confident about introducing more international jazz musicians, such asRootman, the Thailand ensemble formed in 2008; and Czech band Vibe Fantasy featuringlegendary vibraphone player Radek Krampl.
"Local audiences may never have heard their names, but it doesn't matter. As long as theycome to listen to the musicians play, they will get a fresh experience."
Huang will play fusion with local jazz musicians such as saxophonist Liu Yuan, a former memberof rock 'n' roll godfather Cui Jian's band.
Liu has opened two jazz clubs in Beijing, CD Jazz Cafe and East Shore Jazz Bar, two of thevenues for this year's festival. Liu will also perform with his quartet, offering original jazz works.
Xia Jia and his band, who have performed at the festival since its first year, and Beijing BigBand, the first Chinese original big jazz band, of 16 members, will also perform at the festival.
In addition, there are several young Chinese jazz groups, such as Fresh Elements, which fuseship-hop, rock and jazz; and Black Hot Pisces, which mixes neo-soul, Latin and acid elements.
These young local jazz powers are "adventurous, freely interpret and are independent", Huangsays.
"Maybe you will feel strange after watching their performances and doubt whether it's jazz. Itdoesn't matter. That's how you become a jazz fan," Huang says.
Other highlights include Japan's Honda Masato, a young saxophonist; and Puerto Candelaria,an innovative and daring Colombian jazz group.
As part of the continued efforts to expand the jazz base, Huang has set up a range of venues,from large music halls, universities and popular shopping areas to small clubs.
"Audiences, either professionals or passersby, will feel the freedom of jazz and stay for a whileto enjoy the music."
Venues include Chaoyang Park Center Island Theater, National Library Concert Hall, Jiang HuBar, East Shore Live Jazz Cafe, CD Jazz Cafe, Yugong Yishan, and Beijing ContemporaryMusic Academy.
