Coco Zhao & Huang Juanji and Asanda Mqiki

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Once a student of western classical piano and composition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Coco Zhao discovered a new world in jazz vocals and has since been immersed in finding the unique cross-sections between Chinese traditional music, western classical music and jazz.

His unique voice, imagination and expressive singing style have made him one of China’s most creative artists and, dubbed “China’s most promising young Jazz musician”, by Youth Daily, his fast rise to international recognition has seen him receive invitations to music festivals worldwide.

Here he presents his “[Dream Situation]” album: a project of rearranged 1920 – 1930’s traditional Shanghai songs brilliantly reworked into a contemporary jazz framework and with the addition of a South African angle.

Touring with him is pianist Huang Juanji – the first Master’s graduate in Jazz from the Shanghai Conservatory and one of the most cosmopolitan jazz musicians presently based in Shanghai.

Company: Standard Bank Jazz Festival

Voice: Coco Zhou (CN)
Voice: Asanda Mqiki
Sax: Mthunzi Mvubu
Piano: Huang Juanji (CN)
Bass: Romy Brauteseth
Drums: Bruce Baker