New jazz venue TTing now open on Nanyang Lu

In fact TTing has already been open for nearly four months, but has yet to do a formal grand opening. Like any fledgling business in Shanghai, it's their first year so they're still struggling, but slowly the place is building a following — not just for the jazz-pop band performing in the main room but also for the pool tables and VIP nightclub vibe happening downstairs.

In fact Shanghaiist went in a few weeks ago hoping to check out the band, which is led by former JZ all-star big band tenor saxophonist Tang Ying, but when we showed up we were told they had already finished for the evening. We were incredulous, as it was barely eleven p.m. at the time, but apparently they play from 7-10 p.m. rather than trying to compete for listeners with the later-night jazz venues. Fair enough.

So when we returned a few days ago at the appropriate hour, we were disappointed to miss the band's show yet again — we were told the band is now only performing two nights a week due to the high musician overhead and low revenue situation the club is in. So if you are ready to check them out, go on a Friday or Saturday night between 7 and 10 p.m. On Fridays, the show features a female singer who has an eclectic style drawing on jazz, pop, and R&B. On Saturdays, the show features the electro-jazz-pop-funk sounds of E-Groove, a group Tang Ying has played with for a few years already.

If you make it, let us know how it is in a comment here! We do still intend to go hear them, we can't go wrong the third time (hopefully).

TTing, next to Big Bamboo on Nanyang Lu, near Xikang Lu behind the Portman Ritz-Carlton. Live music every Friday and Saturday from 7-10pm.

Cross-posted at Shanghaijazzscene.com