Not that free jazz hasn't landed plenty of times already here in Shanghai, in fact all too often jazz bands that come through town are a bit too "free" for most audiences. But such is the nature of that beast called free jazz...it's certainly not for everyone. But in any case now it has begun to have its own regular performance by a locally-based group, so those of you who do like this unique musical genre can come support it. The group, called Blue koi collective, is led by Italian pianist Gabriel Meirano and performs every other Sunday night for the first set at JZ Club. That's starting from 9pm, and playing for about one hour. The group's next performance will be this coming Sunday, February 24, and after that the next one is March 9th.
The group is usually a trio, featuring Meirano on piano as well as Alec Haavik on saxophone and Joao Sylvestre on drums. However, sometimes the group will be inviting more musicians to join them.
What is free jazz? you ask. Well, in short, it's complete freedom. Anything goes. Honks, squawks, squeals, and screeches are often heard in free jazz sessions, but the essence is not as simple as making farting noises on your horn for an hour while someone else pounds as many notes on the piano as they can with their elbow. Rather, it's about group communication, creation of new combinations of sounds, as well as releasing one's conceptual boundaries and feeling the raw energy of each vibration. At least that's my understanding of it. If you want some more insight into the subject, look here or here.
JZ, 46 Fuxing Xi Lu, near Yongfu Lu, Metro Line 1 Changshu Lu Station. 复兴西路46号,近永福路. Tel: 64310269.
Cross-posted at shanghaijazzscene.com
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Hmmm, sounds nice. JZ on a Sunday sounds pretty much the perfect thing to do... aside from getting an hour long massage.