Hong Kong International Jazz Festival

The Hong Kong International Jazz Festival takes place from Sep 25 – Oct 2, attracting 300 artists from 24 countries. It should be special. There’s something about jazz that never fails to connect with people. From grandfathers to bored, angry youths laying waste to London last month - jazz resonates. Well, arguably not those youths, but jazz is unique musically in that it’s cross-generational.

The festival will be held at the West Kowloon Cultural District, comprising 60 performances as well as talks and workshops. One of the highlights will be the Asian debut of five-time Grammy-winning trumpeter, Terence Blanchard, and Grammy-winning percussionist, Poncho Sanchez (pictured). We definitely want to see Poncho Sanchez, if at least for his name. It sounds like the beginning of a racist joke.

Other star turns include the world premiere of veteran pianist Ted Lo with his new jazz strings ensemble, Chico and the Gypsies; Freddy Cole Quartet (youngest brother of Nat King Cole) and Maria João & Mário Laginha. Even if you don’t know who they are, one of the best things about jazz is your ignorance doesn’t stop you having a good time. It’s like watching synchronised swimming.

A wide range of genres will be on show from gypsy swing to Afro-Cuban. And for the first time ever, Hong Kong audiences will be able to enjoy live klezmer music which originated from Eastern Europe and combines dance tunes with instrumental displays. Let’s hope it’s better than what we see coming out of Eurovision.

If only Boris Johnson knew.

Getting there:
West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade - West Kowloon Cultural District
Southern tip of West Kowloon with its entrance at the junction of Austin Road West and Nga Cheung Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Tel : (852) 2302 1279

Transport

To take KMB bus route No. 8 (Star Ferry Tsim Sha Tsui -MTR Kowloon Station) or green minibus route No. 77M (Tsim Sha Tsui East -MTR Kowloon Station) and get off at Austin Road West, followed by about 10 minutes' walk before reaching the eastern entrance of the Promenade.

To take the MTR and get off at MTR Kowloon Station, followed by about 5 minutes' walk before reaching the western entrance of the Promenade.

To take KMB bus route nos. 8, 11, 203E, 207A, 215X or 281A or green minibus route nos. 26, 74 or 77M and get off at the bus or green minibus terminus at MTR Kowloon Station, followed by about 5 minutes' walk before reaching the western entrance of the Promenade.

To take the cross harbour bus [via the Western Harbour Crossing (WHC)] route nos. 904, 905, 914, 934, 935, 948, 968 or 970 and get off at the bus stop at the toll plaza of the WHC, followed by about 5 minutes' walk before reaching the western entrance of the Promenade.

A fee-paying carpark is adjacent to the eastern entrance of the Promenade.

	Access Road to West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade 前往西九龍海濱長廊的道路		Bus Stop for Bus Route no. 8 and Green Mini-bus Route no. 77M (From Star Ferry and Tsim Sha Tsui East respectively towards Kowloon station direction) 8號巴士及77M專線小巴站 (分別從天星碼頭及尖東 前往九龍站方向)		Bus Stop at Western Harbour Crossing Toll Plaza 西隧收費廣場巴士站
	West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade 西九龍海濱長廊				Kowloon Station Public Car Park 九龍站公眾停車場
	Public Car Park 公眾停車場				Bus Terminus near MTR Kowloon Station 鄰近地鐵九龍站的巴士總站
	Driving route 駕車路線		Bus Stop for Green Mini-bus Route no. 77M (From Kowloon Station towards Tsim Sha Tsui East direction) 77M 專線小巴站 (從九龍站前往尖東方向)

Hong Kong International Jazz Festival
Sep 25 – Oct 2
Tickets from HK$150
2111 5999 (Urbtix)
www.urbtix.cityline.com.hk
www.hkijf.com

(The source is from HKIJF website: http://www.hkijf.com/)