A Stellar Lineup for Freespace Jazz Fest 2024
Jazz lovers alert! The flagship annual musical festival Freespace Jazz Fest returns this October with a stellar lineup of artists, including hundred of jazz musicians from around the world.
Between 24 and 27 October at Freespace, music and jazz aficionados will get the chance to enjoy legendary musicians like pianist, composer and bandleader Herbie Hancock, Grammy award-winning composer and percussionist Antonio Sánchez, Bali-born pianist prodigy Joey Alexander, as well as a European double bill featuring the Ariel Bart Trio and Rémi Panossian Trio among others.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Herbie Hancock
Freespace Jazz Fest: Herbie Hancock – 27 October at 8pm
Legendary jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Herbie Hancock returns to Hong Kong for an unmissable live performance more than 10 years after his last visit to the city.
One of the most influential and forward-thinking musicians of our time, Hancock has created groundbreaking music throughout his seven-decade career, pioneering genre-defying fusions of jazz, rock, funk and electronica.
Now in his 80s, Hancock continues to explore fresh sonic possibilities, collaborating with a new generation of contemporary artists like rapper Kendrick Lamar, jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington and young jazz duo DOMi and JD BECK.
Hancock will be joined on stage at Wonderland by eight-time Grammy winner Terence Blanchard on trumpet, guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist James Genus and drummer Jaylen Petinaud.
Antonio Sánchez
Freespace Jazz Fest: Antonio Sánchez “Birdman Live” – 27 October at 3pm & 8pm
As part of a celebratory tour marking the 10th Anniversary of the release of Alejandro G Iñárritu’s Academy Award-winning film Birdman, multi-Grammy winning drummer Antonio Sánchez, composer of the film’s original score, will perform live on-stage alongside the screening of the movie.
Birdman, the acclaimed dark satire on fame and failure in the entertainment industry, featured Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis and Naomi Watts.
In this one-of-a-kind music and cinema crossover performance, Sánchez will recreate his score and improvise in real-time, reacting to the on-screen action, the atmosphere in the crowd and venue, to intensify the cinematic experience.
Joey Alexander
Freespace Jazz Fest: Joey Alexander Trio – 26 October at 3pm & 8pm
At the age of 21, three-time Grammy nominated jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Joey Alexander is already one of the most skilled and imaginative voices in contemporary jazz.
Having performed for Herbie Hancock when he was just 8 years old, Alexander has played at major festivals around the world, he was part of the incredibly popular NPR Tiny Desk series, he recorded seven albums, and won international acclaim as a virtuosic artist and improviser.
Returning to Hong Kong after his first performance in the city at the age of 14, Alexander will perform this year with Kris Funn on double bass and Jonathan Barber on drums, showcasing his expansive talents and impeccable groove. The repertoire will blend modern jazz sensibilities with genre-defying riffs and melodies, as well as imaginative interpretations of classic jazz standards.
RubberBand
Representing Hong Kong’s homegrown talent, pianist Ted Lo, the “Godfather of Hong Kong jazz”, will open the festival with young local artists Nelson Fung and Dean Li, while two local favourites, pianist Patrick Lui and his jazz orchestra, and local icons RubberBand will celebrate the sounds of Hong Kong in an electrifying fusion of jazz, rock, big band and Cantopop.
The festival will take place across multiple indoor and outdoor stages at Wonderland, Freespace, Lau Bak Livehouse, M+ and the Art Park. Alongside highlight ticketed performances, you will also be able enjoy free outdoor performances and workshops.
Freespace Jazz Fest – 24 to 27 October at Freespace – More details here