Jing Daily Interview: Zhang Le, Chinese Jazz Singer
Having made her name on the thriving Shanghai jazz scene, singer Zhang Le is now making waves around the world with her signature blend of traditional Chinese folk songs and American-style jazz.
No Image Found
On this page
- Zhang Fuses American Jazz And Traditional Chinese Folk Music
- Jing Daily (JD): You started singing as a teenager. Were you always passionate about jazz?
- Zhang Le (ZL)
- JD: Tell us a little about your album [" When Will the Moon Be Clear and Bright "].
- ZL
- JD: Apart from fusing elements from Chinese folk music and opera in your album, the album includes two Buddhism-influenced songs. What were you trying to convey with this?
- ZL
- JD: There are a lot of Chinese elements in your music. Have you encountered any difficulties in communicating about your music with other musicians in the United States?
- ZL
- JD: Do you find it difficult for American audiences to understand your particular style of jazz?
- ZL
- JD: How do the jazz scenes differ between New York and Shanghai?
- ZL
- JD: How would you characterize the changes you've seen in the Chinese jazz scene since your days at the Peace Hotel's Jazz Bar in Shanghai in 1996? What do you think is the future of jazz in China?
- ZL
- ZL
- JD: What are you working on now?
- ZL
- For audio and video clips, be sure to check out Zhang Le's website . Next up, Zhang Le will perform with Dave Liang on March 3 at the China Institute in New York at the "Little Dragon Tales" Family Workshop and with the Shanghai Restoration Project at the Asia Society on March 9.
- Recommended
- Dig Deeper