Montreal, September 12th, 2011 — This past August, KoSA Founder and Artistic Director, Aldo Mazza taught and performed in China. Aldo along with KoSA co-founder and life partner Jolán Kovács-Mazza have established an annual KoSA CHINA workshop event, in collaboration with China's 9 Beats music education, a national structure consisting of some 65 schools throughout China.
“This was my third tour in mainland China,” states Aldo. “Each time I return to North America fully charged and impressed about different experiences there. I have been asked annually to lead workshops in drums and percussion, as well as perform in Tianjin and Beijing.”
Aldo first performed in Beijing twenty-five years ago with his percussion ensemble, REPERCUSSION. “We were apparently one of the first Western groups to perform there and, at that time, we had the open opportunity to walk on the Great Wall, stroll freely in Tiananmen Square and tour the entire Forbidden City without any waiting,” he describes. “The streets of Beijing were densely crowded with slow moving bicycles and only a few cars. Today this has all changed drastically and the traffic jams of Beijing make Los Angeles' famed traffic challenges seem like a piece of cake!”
“In Tianjin, I gave performances as well as joining forces with some well known Asian artists Zou Wengao (Shanghai), Akira Jimbo (Japan), Michael Taylor (Chicago), Mr. Li (Tianjin ) Yang Zeng, (Metal drummer from Beijing), Izumi (jazz drummer in Beijing), Ding Lin (rock drummer from Taiwan),” continues Aldo. “There were some 300 students and 100 teachers from around the country taking daily classes and attending the daily concerts. We performed a KoSA “signature” grand finale concert on the last evening, an exciting experience which left the huge audience cheering for more.”
In Beijing Aldo also participated in the National Drum Competition and was able to meet with some of China's other great artists: Luyufei (one of China's national TV drummers) and Liu Gang (Percussionist with the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and Beijing Conservatory instructor). In addition, Aldo was invited to “sit in” with master keyboardist, Hong Kong's Kenny Chengdu.
“I had the musical time of my life playing with such great world class musicians in Beijing,” exclaimed Aldo. “Plans are already in place to return to China next year and continue to develop and expand the KoSA CHINA experience. For me specifically, and for our entire KoSA Team, it remains fascinating to witness the continued and rapid development process of our Chinese friends. Their fervent quest for expanding their pursuit of musical education and their continued excitement around live performance is impressive.
KoSA would like to thank 9 Beats, Evans, Sabian, and LP for continued presence and support of KoSA CHINA.
KoSA International Percussion events currently take place in North America, Cuba, Italy, and China. For more information, please visit the KoSA website at www.kosamusic.com or find us on Facebook.
