Book ahead: Upcoming jazz gigs in Beijing

Photo: Kunihiko Sugano/247tickets

The best gigs and venues to catch some of the world's greatest jazz artists

This month sees a jam-packed line-up of internationally recognised jazz artists come to Beijing, from well-established pianists to experimental guitar players. Don't miss these great jazz happenings in town, whether you’re looking for a chill evening or a reason to doll up in your vintage cocktail attire. Enjoy some live jazz music and let yourself be transported to the golden era. Don't forget to book ahead. Tickets are running out fast.

Ariyo-C Chicago Blues Piano Trio

Photo: 247 Tickets

Blue Note. Thu 25-Fri 26. 7.30-9.30pm, 10pm-late. 200RMB/280RMB

Sumito Ariyoshi, aka Ariyo, is internationally recognised for his vigorous innovative piano style. He’s an accomplished arranger and sought after studio musician who's shared the stage and toured the world with such legends as Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.

The Large Ensemble Music of Mark Bai

Photo: 247 Tickets

Blue Note. Sat 27-Sun 28. 7.30pm-late, 6.30pm-late. 150RMB

Jazz pianist and composer Mark Bai is at the forefront of a new wave of musicians contributing to China's emerging jazz scene. Join him at Blue Note Beijing for an evening of modern jazz.

Kunihiko Sugano

Photo: Kunihiko Sugano/247 Tickets

NCPA. Sun 28. 7.30-9pm. 50-480RMB

Kunihiko Sugano is a Japanese jazz pianist. Born in 1936 in Tokyo Prefecture, Sugano started playing jazz in the 50s, playing with legends like Tony Scoot, George Otsuka and Isao Suzuki. In the 60s and 70s, Sugano released albums notably Love is a Many Splendored Thing (1974) and Hello Again (1981). Catch the jazz veteran live this Sunday at the NCPA.

Sugano Ding Jazz Trio

Modernista. Sun 28. 8.30-11.30pm. FREE

Finish the week by letting SeeSaw's leader Feng Wei present his new jazz fusion project, the Ding Jazz Trio. Accompanied by Liu Ziyi on drums and Hu Hao on bass it will be just as beautiful as its predecessor. Don't miss out.

The Vincent Herring Quartet

Blue Note. Thu 1 Aug-Fri 2 Aug. 7.30-9.30pm, 10pm-late. 200RMB/280RMB.

Vincent Herring, one of the world's foremost voices on alto saxophone which earned him a spot playing alongside legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey and Freddie Hubbard. Herring's playing and writing express a deep understanding of the blues and straight-ahead bop, but easily shift gears into expressive and forceful playing associated with 1960s John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy. The saxophone master returns to the international concert stage with a new quartet of New York jazzmen, pianist David Kikoski, bassist Yasushi Nakamara, and drummer Peppe Merolla. Herring brings his diverse bop and post-bop influences together into a swinging quartet that can easily handle a varied repertoire from sensual ballads to earthy, gospel-tinged blues. The Vincent Herring Quartet delivers the goods on all levels.

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