Freespace Jazz Fest 2022

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (the Authority) is pleased to announce the return of its flagship music festival, Freespace Jazz Fest, for its fourth edition this autumn from 26 to 30 October 2022 (Wednesday to Sunday).

Featuring more than 50 captivating musical performances, the highly anticipated five-day feast of jazz will be the biggest so far, with multiple stages spread across the indoor and outdoor venues at Freespace and the Art Park in the West Kowloon Cultural District (the District). For the first time, Freespace Jazz Fest will extend to Wonderland, a new outdoor space adjacent to the Hong Kong Palace Museum, allowing more music lovers to immerse in the diversity of jazz music. Tickets are on sale now at the District’s website.

Get 1-Day and 2-Day passes to enjoy “Jazzscapes” in Wonderland
Jazzscapes, staged at the festival’s new performance venue Wonderland, is one of the highlighted programmes of this year’s Freespace Jazz Fest, featuring different jazz styles performed by more than 10 local ensembles. Highlights include Daniel Chu Supergroup – the gifted young pianist Daniel Chu will be leading top-notch musicians to offer a vibrant mix of jazz and R&B; Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra feat. MC Yan – an exciting big band that will put a jazzy spin on Hong Kong kung-fu film soundtracks from the 1970s with hip-hop star MC Yan as the special guest; Joyce Cheung and the Latin Experience! with pianist Joyce Cheung presenting her music selections in Latin Jazz style together with guest dancers; and jazz singer Sherine Wong performing favourite jazz tunes using her mesmerizing voice together with her music companions in Sherine and Friends. Music lovers can purchase 1-Day or 2-Day passes to enjoy the full line-up of Jazzscapes over the weekend of 29 and 30 October 2022.

New commissioned works being showcased at Freespace
Dedicated to showcasing the multi-faceted nature of jazz, Freespace Jazz Fest will present a variety of themed performances in The Box at Freespace, ranging from shows paying tribute to jazz legends to kids-friendly programmes. Looppool – Game of Life, led by one of the most up-and-coming jazz musicians Bowen Li, his band Looppool will explore the vicissitudes of life through a series of new compositions, using jazz fusion as the musical language along with Cantonese lyrics. Double Time – Ted Lo, Tsui Chin-hung is a two-part concert featuring two accomplished musicians from different generations, who will reflect on their experiences in jazz journeys. The concert will begin with guitarist Tsui’s performance of his original compositions in a fusion of classical, rock and jazz styles, followed by Lo, the internationally acclaimed jazz pianist, interpreting some of Chick Corea’s most significant compositions, including the Brazilian-influenced music of his 1970s’ band Return to Forever, paying tribute to the legendary pianist who passed away in 2021. What’s more, Storytime on The Amazing Jazz Planet, curated by percussionist Anna Fan, brings audiences a brand-new jazz concert designed for children, with fun introduction to jazz rhythms, storytelling, dance, juggling and audience interactions, arousing children’s curiosity in exploring the world of jazz.

Transcending geographical boundaries with technologies, The Room in Freespace will present an avant-garde musical experience dubbed Experimental Lab, where local musicians and new media artists will collaborate and improvise online with international musicians from Berlin, Montreal, Seoul and Zurich. Lau Bak Livehouse will also stage live performances over five nights during the festival, with a variety of local jazz musicians adding to the festive atmosphere.

Fun-filled art and cultural experience in art-themed market and cultural workshops
The hugely popular themed market finally returns to the Art Park this year. Under a new theme “Back to its pace”, the market is set to add a carnivallike vibe to the Great Lawn, bringing a variety of handcrafts, art-themed game booths, workshops and film screenings. The Harbourside Lawn will stage various shows featuring world music, choir, jazz big bands, funk music and more. Visitors can enjoy live music around the District while indulging in the stunning views of the Victoria Harbour, savour great food and drinks at the District’s restaurants, cafes and food trucks, and seize the great moments in this wonderful music festival.

“Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, the earlier three editions of the Freespace Jazz Fest were great success, thanks to the enthusiasm, passion and perseverance of Hong Kong’s musicians. This year, in addition to an eclectic line-up of first-class performers, we are delighted to introduce a kids-friendly jazz programme along with arts-and-cultural-themed markets, film screenings and live performances, curating a holistic experience where visitors can explore the delights of jazz music in the fabulous setting of the West Kowloon Cultural District,” said Kung Chi-shing, Artistic Associate (Music), Performing Arts of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.

“The West Kowloon Cultural District is dedicated to promoting and fostering arts and cultural development locally, helping to enrich the quality of life of the Hong Kong community. Held for the fourth consecutive year, Freespace Jazz Fest is a perfect demonstration of our vision, providing a dynamic platform where jazz masters and rising stars gather, exchange and inspire each other to create new cross-genre collaborations. As the signature performing arts programme of the Authority, Freespace Jazz Fest attracts a broad range of music fans and art lovers to our performance venues and outdoor spaces to experience the restorative power of culture, arts and music,” said Paul Tam, Executive Director, Performing Arts of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.

26 October 2022 (Wednesday) 8:00pm
Freespace Jazz Fest: Looppool – Game of Life
The Box, Freespace

28 October 2022 (Friday) 8:00pm and 29 October 2022 (Saturday) 2:30pm
Freespace Jazz Fest: Double Time – Ted Lo, Tsui Chin-hung
The Box, Freespace

28 October 2022 (Friday) 8:30pm ; 29 October 2022 (Saturday) 3:00pm, 5:30pm; and 30 October 2022 (Sunday) 2pm, 6:30pm
Experimental Lab
The Room, Freespace

29–30 October 2022 (Saturday–Sunday) 3:30pm–10:30pm
Freespace Jazz Fest: Jazzscapes
1-Day Pass | 2-Day Pass
Wonderland

30 October 2022 (Sunday) 12:00nn, 2:30pm, 5:00pm
Freespace Jazz Fest: Storytime on The Amazing Jazz Planet
The Box, Freespace