On April 30, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra performed the song "Portrait of the Duke of Ellington" at the International Jazz Day concert. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Zhonghao
　　Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 7th Title: Melody stirs and resonates with the "dialogue" between China and foreign countries at the Taihu Jazz Festival

　　Xinhua News Agency reporters Yang Shujun and Wang Meiqi

　　In late spring and early summer, I went to a jazz party. Recently, the 5th Taihu Jazz Festival was held at the Taihu Stage Art Center of the National Grand Theater. More than 200 musicians from nine countries and regions including China, Canada, Argentina, etc. started a "dialogue" with jazz.

　　As night fell, the lights of Taihu Open-air Theater lights were on. Canadian saxophonist Yanik Reyo brought a concert called "Rong", in which the jazz adaptation of "Yimeng Mountain Minor" was intoxicated by the audience.

　　Since 2006, Yanik Rey has been to China for 19 performances. He told reporters that China's rich and diverse cultures are its continuous source of inspiration. Whether it is the magnificent natural scenery, the unique folk traditions of various places, or the colorful folk music, each region has its own unique sound and story. “This diversity inspired me to constantly explore new musical languages.”

　　Adrian Ugo Iais from Argentina is coming to China for the first time and is very excited about performing in a brand new place. "Jazz is a way to express oneself. Chinese musicians combine their local cultural background to continuously develop Chinese jazz."

　　Guan Jianbo, deputy director of the National Grand Theater, introduced that the Taihu Jazz Music Festival is committed to building a "jazz China" artistic highland and promoting the development of Chinese jazz music. At the same time, the festival widely invites internationally renowned jazz musicians to join, building a bridge of multicultural integration and dialogue.

　　"Portrait of Duke Ellington", "Wind on the Field", "Let Me Fly to the Moon", "Reunion"... On the evening of April 30, the Taihu Jazz Festival opened and the International Jazz Day concert presented the audience with famous foreign jazz music and jazz works full of Chinese cultural characteristics.

　　On April 30, the audience was watching the International Jazz Day concert. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Zhonghao
　　"Jazz has been developing. Chinese and foreign musicians use the Taihu Jazz Festival platform to communicate with each other to explore breakthroughs and innovations in jazz," said Li Xiaochuan, a Chinese jazz trumpet performer.

　　At this year's Taihu Jazz Festival, Li Xiaochuan incorporated artificial intelligence and multimedia vision into jazz performances. "Jazing should not exist as 'museum music', it has its timeliness. We must observe keenly and try bravely, so that more people can understand and feel the charm of jazz in this era," he said.

　　Flying melodies, changing light and shadow, lively markets... During the May Day holiday, Taihu Stage and Art Center "transformed" a holiday carnival that combines music, art and life. "The first time I enjoyed jazz in such a special place, it felt very fresh!" In the performance space built by giant stage design containers, Mr. Liu, a Beijing citizen, and his friends enjoyed the vitality brought by music.

　　This Taihu Jazz Festival also built a growth platform for young musicians. More than 30 youth bands performed nearly 100 performances in the park, showing the vitality of the new generation of jazz music. The "Jazz China" charity unit of the Taihu Jazz Festival visited many universities to popularize and promote jazz.

　　"Chinese young people are increasingly interested in jazz. They show true creativity and are eager to integrate this music into their culture." Yanik Reyo said that Chinese jazz is not simply copying the Western model, but finding their own voice in dialogue with traditional Chinese culture.

[Editor in charge: Susan]