Is there anything that won't work in China? This latest video from Arnaud Kamphuis of Daedalum Films explores Shanghai's growing jazz scene and China's exploding demand for jazz. Interesting was the refrain echoed by several of the foreign musicians interviewed that there was no way they could be doing the same thing back home without having to do music that they can't stand. Here, they're in a position to select gigs, travel lots for work, do music on a full-time basis and not have to worry about having another day job — and most importantly, make a comfortable living for themselves.



nice docu again. was just talking with female jazz singer friend last night about jazz in china/shanghai. will def have to forward this.
Seriously though...sometimes the hype about Shanghai is just a bit ridiculous. The fact that they make a "comfortable living" here has NOTHING to do with the "jazz scene" in Shanghai - which is actually really small and doesn't pay that well.
It has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that you can live nicely on 8 or 15 thousand kuai per month in Shanghai.
Try doing that in New York. That's what you would pay in rent there (if you are lucky).
The same could be said of young designers, photographers, DJs, writers, etc etc...they can live nicely without doing as many crap jobs on the side...not because their field is any better here, but because you don't need 3 or 4 K USD per month to get by.