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| live music |
Who is your favourite jazz musician of all time?
This is so difficult since my response is dependent on and influenced by diverse criteria. But I would not be improvising from the perspective that I take without Ornette Coleman so I would have to choose him. For straight-ahead playing I would choose Lennie Tristano.
Who is your favourite classical music composer of all time?
Again not so simple. I am attracted to artists not only for their output but for their philosophy and conceptual approach so I must say Karlheinz Stockhausen. While many of his works are still not accessible to me, I find his thinking about composition and improvisation to be immensely stimulating.
What is your favourite instrumental album?
Finally an easy one! Tabla Duet by Zakir Hussain and Ustad Alla Rakha. I have listened to this and other recordings by this father and son duo hundreds of times and each time I am amazed and surprised. What they do effortlessly, makes our rhythmic application equivalent to Mary Had A Little Lamb.
Who is your favourite singer or group?
Aha, another easy one. Betty Carter! For me she is the ultimate, a jazz musician equal to the great jazz improvisers, whose instrument is her voice. Her rhythmic and harmonic sophistication has yet to be equalled or surpassed by any of the more well-known jazz singers, past and present.
What is your favourite city?
Paris. I love New York, however as an artist I have found Paris to be significantly more accepting of artists, whether known or unknown. And as I have a particularly disciplined approach to my work, I find the French dedication to leisure and enjoyment a complimentary element.
A past recipient of the (American) National Endowment for the Arts’ prestigious Jazz Performance Fellowship, Boston-born Joe Rosenberg is a unique and compelling voice in today’s jazz. He will perform together with the rest of the Joe Rosenberg Quartet East at Le Rideau on September 7 and 8. Showtime is at 9:30pm. Admission costs $120. |
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Summer Time
Earlier this year, Taiwan’s Summer Lei walked away with the Best Mandarin Female Singer prize at the 7th Chinese Music Media Awards held here in Hong Kong. Later this month, the acclaimed singer (whose voice has been described as “magnetic” and “soothing”), composer (including music for Hou Hsiao Hsien’s Goodbye South, Goodbye and Flowers of Shanghai), lyricist, classical music programme host and ‘noise folk music’ pioneer (think traditional songs combined with ambient electronic sound effects) returns to the Fragrant Harbour to perform three shows in the intimate surroundings of the HK Arts Centre’s Agnès b. CINEMA! The Summer Lei Live! In Hong Kong evening concerts on September 7 and 8 are scheduled for 8pm while showtime for the Saturday, September 8 matinee is 3pm. Tickets are $230 from URBTIX, 2734 9009. |
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Nueva NOVA
The charitable HK Women’s Choir has changed its name to NOVA and is looking for new members for both the choir and Grace Notes, its associated a cappella group for experienced singers. So if you can sing in tune and would love to do so for a good cause, consider attending one of the auditions on the Wednesdays of September, starting from September 5. For the venue and other details, call 9674 9181 or e-mail info@thkwc.org (ask for Julia or Lucy). |
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From Underworld to Underwater
What is it with Darren Emerson and the subterranean associations? A member of technoband Underworld (whose music figured in Trainspotting) from 1990 to 2000, he left the group to strike out on his own and, in part, return to his DJ-ing roots. Since then, the man from Romford has also been building up the Underwater records label he started as a hobby back in 1994, preparing to release his solo debut album, and touring a good part of the globe. On Saturday, September 8, Emerson will headline the Darren Emerson Concert 2007 that will also feature performances by David Lam, Jason F, Dicky Lau and VJ Donkie. Showtime is 11pm-6am at the Siu Sai Wan WareHouse. Tickets are $350 at the door but $260 if booked in advance between September 5 and 7, and $220 from now until September 4. For ticketing information call 9528 8845. |
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Bach Call
The HK Bach Choir was formed in 1970 with a total of 15 singers but now has a multinational membership that stands at over 80. Unwilling to rest on its laurels, however, it is announcing plans to hold auditions for new members. If you’re interesting in Bach and much, much more (since these days the group prides itself on the widest repertoire of any choir in the territory), go to room CR1 in the backstage area of the HK Cultural Centre’s Concert Hall on Thursday, September 6. Audition times are 7pm to 10pm. For further enquiries, contact Ms. Fanny Lo at bufftalk@yahoo.com.au |
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WBOB
The Chinese sage, Lao Tzu, famously remarked that “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. The contestants in the World Battle of the Bands 2007 (WBOB) will have to make it through a series of heats, a semi-final, a regional final and a national final before they can get to the World Final stage of this music competition. But before even all that, they first have to officially register for it. So, interested bands, head over now to www.wbob.net to enter its Hong Kong division – the winners of whom will win an all expenses trip to Singapore along with a slot in the WBOB Finals 2007. For further enquiries, contact Chris B (tel: 9486 4648). |
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Music for Healing
 Encouraged by the success of their inaugural Healing Hands Charity Concert last year, the Otic Foundation is presenting Healing Hands Charity Concert 2007 on Saturday, September 8. At the second edition of this high-profile fundraising event, which the Foundation hopes will become an annual affair, attendees will be able to catch performances by nurse-turned-megastar singer-actress Miriam Yeung, veteran songstress Fanny, TVB luminaries Mimi MC Lo, Bernice Liu, Bowie Wu, singing surgeon Dr. Mark Lam and other entertainers prepared to do their bit for a good cause: improving the standard of care for ear problems and communication disorders for the underprivileged. Showtime is 7:30-11:30pm. Tickets of $500, $300, $200 and $100 are available from URBTIX, 2734 9009. If you’re feeling particularly benevolent, consider going for a $1,000 (VIP list) ticket or more from the Otic Foundation, 3188 9510.
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Coming in October
Is Hong Kong honoured? The HKSAR is the only territory in Asia besides Japan musical chameleon David Sylvian will be playing in as part of his latest international tour. On Saturday, October 27, the former lead vocalist and main songwriter for New Romantic band Japan will appear live in concert at the HITEC Hall B in Kowloon Bay. Showtime for An Evening with David Sylvian – the World Is Everything Tour is 8pm. Regular tickets are $780 (VIP zone) and $680 (free seating) and available now from PopBites, Zoo Records (Sino Centre, Mongkok), the Panic (Mongkok) and HK Ticketing, 31 288 288, but enquire about the $580 early-bird offer if you buy before September 15. |
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Koop Uncooped
Most of the time, the respected Swedish Koop consists of just Magnus Zingmark and Oscar Simonsson, both writers, arrangers and producers; with much of the original music heard on their albums cobbled from thousands of small sample recordings by others. When playing live, however, Koop morphs into a swing orchestra with at least one singer. That is how they will perform on Thursday, September 6, at Sheung Wan’s Western Market with Zingmark on bongos and congas, and Simonsson on keyboard, but also Hilda Louise Moller supplying the vocals, Ola Bothzen on drums, Mattias Stahl on vibrafone and marimba, Martin Hoper on double bass, and Karl Frid on trombone and the congas. The show that makes up the HK leg of the Koop Islands Asia Tour to celebrate the release of the Koop Islands album is set to start at 8:30pm. $388 gets you a standing ticket, two glasses of wine and entry to the after-party with DJs Kulu (Ultra Lounge) and Ivan (Ultra Lounge-Dragon-i). Tickets are from Tom Lee stores and HK Ticketing, 31 288 288. |
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