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Freespace Jazz Fest

Freespace Jazz Fest 2023

3 October 2023 - 26 October 2023

Free

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Freespace Jazz Fest, the flagship annual musical event of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA or the Authority), returns on an unprecedented scale from 3 to 8 October and 26 October 2023. Entering its fifth edition, the festival features an all-star lineup of more than 500 jazz musicians from 11 countries and regions who together will present over 100 outstanding performances. This year’s jazz extravaganza promises to be an unforgettable experience for music lovers, transcending cultures, styles and genres.

Top talents to shine on the Wonderland stage including Grammy Award-winners Antonio Sánchez and Richard Bona, and many more from China and around the world

For three consecutive nights on the weekend of 6 to 8 October, top musicians and bands from South Africa, the UK, the US, Mainland China, Poland and Hong Kong will take turns to perform at the “Jazzscapes” outdoor stage at Wonderland, including:

Lawrence Ku, one of China’s finest jazz guitarists, leading a dynamic trio
Regular cross-genre collaborator the Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra featuring Hong Kong jazz masters Eugene Pao and Ted Lo
The electronica- and psychedelic jazz-fusion sounds of British trio The Comet Is Coming
Acclaimed Shanghai-based trumpeter Li Xiaochuan leading an 11-person ensemble
The Afro and Latin jazz beats of Grammy Award-winning bassist and vocalist Richard Bona
South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini
Sultry Shanghai-based singer-songwriter Voision Xi
Polish bassist Kinga Głyk and her band
Antonio Sánchez & Bad Hombre led by the four-time Grammy Award-winner

The rundown for each night is meticulously curated by the District’s music team, allowing audiences the opportunity to explore the diverse and malleable styles of jazz. One-day and three-day passes are available for “Jazzscapes” at Wonderland, and with no designated seating, music lovers can comfortably enjoy the music while standing or relaxing on the lawn.

Korean musician Dasom Baek joins hands with Hong Kong musician Olivier Cong for a night of cross-cultural and highly inventive musical exchanges; internationally acclaimed jazz vocalist Stacey Kent brings festival to a perfect close

Following her scintillating online performance at last year’s festival, Korean musician Dasom Baek (daegeum) will finally make an in-person appearance on the West Kowloon stage, forming a trio with Ina Kang (geomungo) and Eunsil Noh (vocal) and joining hands with Hong Kong musician Olivier Cong for a night of cross-cultural and highly inventive musical exchanges on 4 October (Wednesday) at The Box, Freespace. Baek’s boundary-crossing performance will blend traditional Korean instrumental sounds with electronic elements, offering the audience an exploration of the limitless possibilities of her spirited brand of jazz.

In addition to the outdoor stage at Wonderland, Freespace, Harbourside Lawn West, the Art Park Great Lawn and Lau Bak Livehouse, this year’s festival will see events expand to the Xiqu Centre for the first time. International jazz star Stacey Kent will grace the stage of the Grand Theatre at the Xiqu Centre on 26 October for a memorable night of music together with trio members Art Hirahara and Jim Tomlinson. Widely lauded on the international stage, Kent has sold more than 2 million albums worldwide and tickets to her performances are always highly sought-after. Her first performance in Hong Kong since her 2018 Asia tour is sure to arouse a huge interest locally. In addition, the festival will present some 10 fascinating performances at M+.

Continuing to spotlight Hong Kong’s jazz scene – top local musicians join hands with rising stars to promote the city’s jazz culture

The festival will continue to spotlight local jazz musicians, with the 80-person chorus Vocal Jazz Tribe taking to the stage to showcase the marriage of jazz harmonies with interpretations of Cantopop hits and jazz classics. Also making appearances are Hong Kong Film Award-winning composer and arranger Yusuke Hatano and his band Yusuke & Buddies; the Joyce Cheung Trio featuring Tsui Chin-hung, one of the best jazz guitarists in town; and Enoch Cheng will lead five other musicians for a one-time nostalgic experience presenting a mix of jazz and R&B originals alongside an all-time-classics repertoire from the 1960s and 70s.

To further promote the local jazz culture among families, and children in particular, this year’s festival will stage a new, fun and interactive musical, Mischievous Boy, for young music fans at The Box, Freespace on 7 and 8 October (Saturday and Sunday). With musician/actor Yau Chung-wai as director, Tsui Chin-hung as musical director as well as singer Crystal Cheung Man-ka, actress Chan Wing-shuen and actor Mok Kok Pong Michael, the show will introduce the delights of jazz through storytelling and plenty of catchy jazz tunes.

What’s more, multi-talented local pianist Daniel Chu will take on a new role this year, moving from onstage to offstage to host sharing sessions at Lau Bak Livehouse scheduled from 3 to 5 October (Tuesday to Thursday), where he will chat about jazz with outstanding arts and cultural professionals from various Hong Kong circles. More details will be announced soon.

Throughout the festival, various corners of the District – including Lau Bak Livehouse and the free outdoor stage at Harbourside Lawn West and the Art Park Great Lawn – will stage free performances by a multitude of experimental jazz bands from around the world, including Pakshee (India), Senyawa (Indonesia), SINNOI (Korea), RS5pb (Japan), T-Bone (Thailand) and more. Festival-goers can also enjoy a tailor-made series of free introductory jazz workshops organised by local jazz group Fountain de Chopin at The Room, Freespace. The Art Park Great Lawn will once again stage a weekend market featuring creative craft and specialty beers presented by Hoegaarden, Stella Artois and Goose Island, and savouring delicacies by ADD+; while the Harbourside Lawn East of the Art Park will present a series of workshops and events, offering audiences a grand feast of music, art, and food.

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