[Sponsored] As a breezy harbourfront oasis, West Kowloon’s Freespace has become a key venue for Hong Kong’s art community. In a brand new annual event, Freespace Jazz Fest is set to showcase 30 local and international musicians during a two-day programme of free and ticketed events.
On Saturday, November 9, Japanese sensation May Inoue and flamenco guitarist Noa Drezner will be accompanied by Mancunian trio GoGo Penguin and accomplished local quintet Wong Way Down.
Grammy award-winning Robert Glasper, who moves between the worlds of jazz and hip-hop, will feature on Sunday, November 10, as will veteran musicians Eugene Pao, Ted Lo and Angelita Li. With local experimental quintet Mo-Men-T performing a crossover with Chinese instrumentalists Wuji Ensemble, prepare to be dazzled with a weekend of jazz, blues and world music.
Indoor programme
The Box offers an all-star line-up of renowned and emerging jazz and world music artists from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and elsewhere. Freespace Livehouse will host music stage and DJ sets. The programme will include jazz musician sharing sessions, and Poetry Music Jam by the House of Hong Kong Literature.
There will be jam sessions and jazz workshops offered via online registration at the Studio. Meanwhile, kids will also be well catered for with the Jazz for Kids programme by ohmykids at the Room. MOViE MOViE film screenings will be provided in the late evening.
Outdoor programme
The 2019 festival will involve free outdoor performances from more than 13 local and international jazz and world music artists. Free outdoor music highlights include: Takashi Hirayasu (Sat), Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra feat. Elisa Chan (Sat), Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra feat. Hubert Laws (Sun) and Outlet Drift (Sun).
Meanwhile, a free marketplace will be held under the theme of “craftsmanships.” Hosted by partner ‘A Nice Place To,’ the market will link jazz and handicrafts to demonstrate how mastery comes with hard work and practice.
HK Ballet will also be offering jazz-infused dance performances at the Harbourside Lawn, which includes the popular The Great Gatsby, set to a fantastic jazz score, and a series of exciting site-specific works along the Waterfront Promenade.
Schedule highlights: 9 November (Saturday)
The Box: May Inoue Quartet, Alan Kwan x Mike Tseng, Wong Way Down, Noa Drezner Flamenco Quartet, & GoGo Penguin.
Great Lawn: Asian Collective, Interzone Collective, Ladonya, Senivoda, Patrick Lui Jazz Orchestra feat. Elisa Chan, Takashi Hirayasu, & Tjoe w/NTBM.
Schedule Highlights: 10 November (Sunday)
The Box: Mo-Men-T x Wuji Ensemble, Asian Collective, Eugene Pao x Ted Lo x Angelita Li, House of Waters, & Robert Glasper Trio.
Great Lawn: 水 (Mizu), Tomii Chan, Teriver Cheung & Ensemble Transience feat. Jan Curious, Outlet Drift, & Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra feat. Hubert Laws.
Tickets are available now from HK$420.
| Ticket Categories | Included Performance | Price | Seating Arrangement |
| Saturday Medley Pass | May Inoue Quartet | $420 | Free seating |
| Noa Drezner Flamenco Quartet | |||
| Wong Way Down | |||
| Alan Kwan X Mike Tseng | |||
| GoGo Penguin | GoGo Penguin | $520 | Reserved seating |
| Sunday Ensemble Pass | Asian Collective | $420 | Free seating |
| Eugene Pao x Ted Lo x Angelita Li | |||
| House of Waters | |||
| Mo-Men-T x Wuji Ensemble | |||
| Robert Glasper Trio | Robert Glasper Trio | $720 | Reserved seating |
