Pre-revolutionary Shanghai always came alive at night, shimmering with delights of all kinds. Dancing in Paramount was a fad among the upper class in those days. Gentlemen dressed in tuxedos and ladies in attractive ball gowns were easily intoxicated with the romantic and soothing rhythm of jazz.

Jimmy King

One of the bands these upper class party kids may have shimmied to is the Jimmy King Jazz Band, the first all-Chinese jazz band led by Jimmy King (Jin Huaizu). The band gained popularity by playing gigs in the Paramount Hall in the 1940s. East and West found a comfortable companionship in Jimmy King's band. Using western instruments like the piano, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, bass, drums and percussion King's band produced a jazz-like sound, different from the more harmonic American jazz.

Much to the audience's surprise, King even introduced Chinese folksong into his music, which turned out to be a great success. Against the gleaming neon light and the localized jazz, a mix of traditional and modern, Shanghai, charming as well as gorgeous, was laying the foundation for becoming one of the most dynamic cities in the world.

The 1980s saw jazz jump into pop culture, with jazz-lovers earnestly seeking any jazz-related information from tapes, books, films, and broadcasting programs.

Today jazz remains alive and flourishing, even after Mercedes Benzes replaced rickshaws on Shanghai streets. They have become resorts for night owls who may be looking for relaxation, rather than jazz. The low, deep strains of jazz are magical enough to drive the daytime din away and bring undisturbed tranquility to listeners.

Jazz clubs have found a solid base in Shanghai thanks to a multitude of overseas bandsmen and listeners, and Chinese jazz fans of all ages.

The strains of jazz mixing with the bustle of modern city streets, the architectural hodge-podge of buildings, the exciting nightlife and fascinating people all lend Shanghai a bit of that exotic spice that earned the city its European moniker 'The Paris of the East'. But Shanghai has taken its European influence and made it its own, creating a city with its own distinct flair, a city that successfully answers the question of what happens when East meets West.

Author: Lency

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