East Meets West in Cool Jazz: Bob James and the Angels of Shanghai.
By: Kyi May Kaung
At the age when most men already at the top of their chosen professions might retire and go fishing, raise roses or devote their time entirely to children and grandchildren, legendary jazz impresario Bob James embarked on new musical directions nearly 4 years ago, in August of 2003.
He thought he was just on a fact-finding trip to China Shanghai International Arts Festival, but he was so impressed by meeting the talented young students of the well known Shanghai Conservatory of Music that he started to do simple recordings with the 5 Chinese musicians, who he started to refer to as his Angels. He decided to work with this quintet on an on-going basis.
Today, the project has culminated in Bob James’ Angels of Shanghai tour that will begin April 28th in Michigan and end May 5th in New York. Previously, they have also toured Japan and Korea and performed at Bangkok Jazz Festival in Jakarta and Seongman Arts Center in Seoul.
The Chinese musicians play traditional Chinese instruments that have been around for hundreds of years. They include the Chinese 2 string violin which wails plaintively and has real python skin on the front of the sound box. Now the pythons are raised in farms. Other instruments include the pipa or lute, which is a stringed instrument, which is plucked. There is also the guzheng which is a harp-zither, or a zither-harp, and dizi, or different sized bamboo flutes.
I listened to the truly smooth jazz pieces on the CD and on Bob James’ site www.bobjames.com. Bob James says the term “smooth jazz” is an invention of the radio stations. According to him, “jazz is sometimes smooth, and sometimes rough.”
J. J. Ma (or Ma Jia Jun, in Chinese, the surname comes first), the talented young erhu player, says that during the Cultural Revolution, that cataclysmic event in recent Chinese history when so many intellectuals were “sent down” to the village, he was not yet born. And no one else worked in the arts in his family, and so it had no effect on his family.
J. J. said he started playing the erhu at age 4, and has been studying for over 17 years. He says, “No, music has no boundaries. We work together very fast and not difficult.” He’s a smiling, lank haired young man with smiling eyes and a sweet smile, showing nice teeth. The other players are no less attractive looking.
In their publicity group photo with James in a red silk shirt, J.J. is the young man in a dark Chinese jacket, kneeling to the right of Bob James. Xie Tao (Emma) is standing to James’ right, Liu Jen (Jane) is to his left. Next to Jane is Li Li. The young ladies are in aqua colored cheong sam. Standing in front of Li Li, is Zhao Qi, who will not be on the U.S. tour. The dizi player on this tour will be Lu Cong.
The compositions, composed in jam sessions, move seamlessly and pleasantly between traditional jazz instruments and the Chinese instruments. Now and then one hears an Asian lilt and tonal qualities. James says Chinese music uses the same pentatonic scale that he employs in his famous Taxi theme and his Summertime theme.
To me, the vocal piece was the most haunting.
Next for me were the Theme Onara for Daejankeum and Angel’s Theme, Magic Paintbrush and Angela with Purple Bamboo, based on Bob James’ classic Taxi theme.
His first trip to Shanghai was sponsored by Japanese producer Koji Niwa and the CD album was released on April 10 by Koch Records.
J. J. Lee, the erhu player, calls the new fusion sound created by western and Chinese music, “magical and beautiful.” Bob James says: I love seeing the universal power of music work its magic to cross borders . . . when political solutions seem impossible. I invite you to come along on this adventure.”
J.J. says it most expressively in a poem from the CD booklet, which I paraphrase here:
When I first heard I will work with Bob James to record a brand-new album!
What excited I am! And the dream come true!
First, I think the Brand-new style of the music! Second, When I listen the song, Melodia!
I feel it’s like the Spring flow from Paradise! Third, I could meet so many master! They are widely known! Like Bob! Haha!
And Jack Lee (the famous guitar player in Korea)
Nathan East (bring the perfect voice to us when we record the Endless Time)
Harvey Mason (play many drums bring everyone the spirit)
Ken Freeman (the engineer record, mix for this album)!
And many friends, we worked happily in Shanghai! WOW! Thanks for my friends Angels! Thanks for Bob! Thanks for everyone! My friends!!!!!
For a multiple exclamation mark experience for you too, U.S. Tour dates are:
April 28 - Traverse City , Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center
April 29 - Monroe , Michigan , La-Z-Boy Center , Meyer Theater
April 30 - Cleveland Heights, Ohio , Nighttown Jazz Club
May 1-2 - Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , Manchester Craftsmen's Guild
May 4- New York City , Gramercy Theatre (press conference, and meet and greet reception www.ticketmaster.com)
May 5 - Huntington , New York , IMAC Theater
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