Rooted in Shanghai and reaching across China, Lincoln Jazz Center Shanghai is using jazz as a cultural bridge, crossing regional boundaries and bringing collaborative jazz projects to audiences nationwide. From Wuxi’s Jiangnan waterways to the ancient capital of Nanjing and the cultural center of Beijing, the center’s lively music is lighting up the night skies of cities across the country.
A Jiangnan Encounter: Jazz Meets the Water Town
In March 2026, Wuxi’s International Month and International Cherry Blossom Week opened with a special contribution from Lincoln Jazz Center Shanghai, whose leading artists brought a distinctive jazz spirit to the city. On the evening of March 24, the “Wuxi Night” concert took place at the Black Box Theater of Wuxi Grand Theatre as a centerpiece of the program, drawing many guests from China and abroad. Jazz ambassador Walter Blanding, a Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winner, led a quintet in a performance of jazz classics and a specially arranged jazz version of “Wuxi Scenery.” Relaxed saxophone met the graceful melodies of Jiangnan folk music, as international musical language and local culture sparked a remarkable exchange between tradition and modernity.
The artists continued exploring beyond the stage. They visited the former residence of A Bing to hear the stories behind his famous erhu compositions, toured an erhu factory to see the craft behind the traditional instrument, and strolled through Jichang Garden to take in the elegance of a Jiangnan garden. This immersive cultural experience brought the Western artists closer to the roots of Chinese folk music and laid the groundwork for deeper artistic exchange between East and West.
On April 30, UNESCO’s International Jazz Day, Walter Blanding returned with his quartet to the stage of Jiangsu Center for the Performing Arts as part of the 2026 Sounds of Jiangnan Festival. Lively jazz filled the region, adding a romantic artistic note to the celebration and introducing more audiences to the music’s distinctive appeal.
Heading North: A Stellar Lineup Lights Up Beijing
In May, Lincoln Jazz Center Shanghai’s artistic exchange continued north. After finishing their resident performances at the center, world-class drummer Steve Smith and three-time Grammy-winning drummer and Jazz at Lincoln Center artist Ulysses Owen Jr. headed straight to Beijing to perform at the 6th Taihu Jazz Festival.
One of China’s most influential jazz events, this year’s Taihu Jazz Festival takes “Jazz Is Everything” as its theme. More than 330 artists from 11 countries and regions will present over 200 performances and special activities. The addition of Steve Smith and Ulysses Owen Jr. adds star power to the festival. Their virtuosic drumming and improvisation will channel the spirit of jazz through rhythm and bring Beijing audiences close to two world-class masters.
From Shanghai’s central stages to Wuxi’s water-town theater, Nanjing’s arts venues and now Beijing’s festival stages, Lincoln Jazz Center Shanghai is steadily realizing its vision of “deep roots in Shanghai, reaching across China.” Through artistic dialogue across regions and cultures, the center brings international jazz to audiences throughout China while creating new sparks between Chinese culture and global music. Looking ahead, Lincoln Jazz Center Shanghai will continue using music as a bridge between cities, sharing jazz across the country and supporting the growth of Chinese jazz culture.
Source:Tencent News