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In response to the warm request from jazz fans for fantastic jazz music, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will present "Jazz Up", a series of six impressive concerts by international jazz stars, from July to December, 2003.
Jazz Up opens with the Rubalcaba/Sanchez Quartet on July 23 (Wed) at 8pm at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, saxophonist David Sanchez, bassist Armando Gola and drummer Ignacio Berroa are masters of the passionate Afro-Cuban and Latin idioms. Rubalcaba won the Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards for "Best Latin Jazz Album" in 2002, while Sanchez has been nominated for the same awards several times. Tickets priced at $350, $250 and $120 are now available at all URBTIX outlets.
The series continues with Vanessa Rubin and Her Trio on September 9 (Tue) at 8pm at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Recognised as "one of the most gifted jazz vocalists of her generation" by the Washington Post, Rubin has a pearly tone that adapts to a wide gamut of material, including her own originals. Tickets priced at $350, $250 and $120 are available from July 29 onwards at all URBTIX outlets.
Tiempo Libre, formed by seven extraordinary Miami musicians, will take the stage on September 23 (Tue) at 8pm at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre. The group aims to create a new musical style by fusing jazz, traditional Cuban and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Tiempo Libre is composed of Jorge Gomez (director/piano), Jorge Bringas (bass), Fernando Pina (percussion), Raymer Olalde (congas), Rodolfo Fofi Gomaz (flute/saxophones), Julio Ariel Diaz (trumpet) and Joaquin Diaz (vocals). Tickets priced at $300, $220 and $120 are available from July 29 onwards at all URBTIX outlets.
Guitarist Bill Frisell, accompanied by The Intercontinentals, performs on October 24 (Fri) at 8pm at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Frisell is one of the most singular musicians of his generation, incorporating influences as varied as rock, country and bluegrass. His collaborators over the years have included Pat Metheny, Mike Stern and Joe Lovano. In April, Frisell and The Intercontinentals have taken Japan by storm. Tickets priced at $480, $350 and $200 are available from September 11 onwards at all URBTIX outlets.
Legendary saxophonist Charles Lloyd and his band will perform on November 30 (Sun) at 8pm at the Concert Hall, Hong Kong City Hall. Now approaching his 65th birthday, Lloyd has been a defining influence in the post-bop period, embracing the traditional music of many cultures and indulging in avant-garde improvisation during the psychedelic sixties. Still, he remains in touch with the roots of jazz in blues and gospel. For this concert he is joined by Geri Allen (piano), John Abercrombie (guitar), Robert Hurst (bass) and Eric Harland (drums). Tickets priced at $400, $270 and $150 available from September 11 onwards at all URBTIX outlets.
The finale of Jazz Up brings together Japan's Tamaya Honda on drums, Australia's Steve Hunter on electric bass, Denmark's Kristian Jorgensen on violin, and Hong Kong's own Ted Lo on piano. The concert takes place on December 17 (Wed) at 8pm at the Auditorium, Kwai Tsing Theatre. Tickets priced at $300, $220 and $120 available from September 11 onwards at all URBTIX outlets.
In connection with Jazz Up, watch out for a series of lectures on jazz, conducted in Cantonese by leading local jazz musicians from July to December in the Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum. The speakers will demonstrate the techniques and styles of jazz performance and take a closer look at the artists in the Jazz Up series.
Various discounts schemes apply to all programmes. Please see the brochures of the Jazz Up series for details.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, call 2734 9009; for credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999; for Internet bookings, visit www.urbtix.gov.hk; for more information, visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp.
End/Thursday, July 3, 2003
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