Karissa Muse interviews jazz guitarist Eugene Pao

The Hong Kong International Jazz Festival 2009 is only in its second year, but it has already developed into an eclectic and cutting-edge program.

My personal favorite this year has to be Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava’s New Quintet and the American power fusion unit Henderson Berlin Chambers Trio. I like the lyricism of Enrico Rava’s music and this time his group also features the amazing Gianluca Petrella on trombone.

For many fusion jazz fans in Hong Kong, guitar master Scott Henderson's arrival is like a dream come true. After hearing him on Chick Corea Elektric Band’s debut album back in the 1980s, its hard to believe we can see the master in our own city.

While the festival features international musicians, local jazz icon Eugene Pao will showcase his guitar wizardry with French accordionist Richard Galliano on October 15th.  

The charismatic guitarist's incessant jazz performances in Hong Kong since the 1980s have literally put the city on the global jazz map. Pao has performed all over the world and collaborated with many legendary jazz musicians including saxophonist Michael Brecker and drummer Jack DeJohnette.

Chances are you have heard Eugene's music even if you aren't a jazz fan, as he also composes and performs music for commercials and movies.

I grabbed Pao in between rehearsals for a quick Q and A.

Karissa Muse: What is jazz?

Jazz musicians study complex harmonies and improvise over them using different modes and scales, but the goal is to be musical and tell a story.

... the musicians are just hired there for show like furniture and the audience don't give a f**k about what you are playing ... we have all done these kinds of functions, haven't we?

Muse: Jazz artists or albums we should have on our iPods?

The immortals such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, Wes Montgomery -- artists who defined what jazz is during its history.

Muse: For those who say that they don’t like jazz or aren’t exposed to it, what albums or artists should they listen to?

"Kind Of Blue" by Miles Davis.

Muse: What kind of music you will play with Richard Galliano?

This concert features Richard’s original compositions from the albums ‘Viaggio,’ ‘New York Tango’ and ‘French Touch.' The music is Nuevo Tango with a lot of room for jazz improvisation.

Muse: Now that HK has a jazz festival running in its second year, is jazz more popular here now than before?

I think it's slowly reaching more people, especially young people who are interested in learning to play musical instruments.

Muse: How do audiences elsewhere differ from Hong Kong’s?

I have played many jazz festivals including Montreal, Bangkok, Thailand, Jakarta, Mount Fuji, Beijing, Glasgow, Malaysia, Singapore and Macau. The audiences are the same: we play, they clap! I have to say the Europeans and Japanese are more knowledgeable though.

Muse: Are there any changes in HK’s jazz audience over the years?

More local young people now. Used to be mostly expatriates.

Muse: Where can people hear you in HK?

I play at the Peel Fresco Music Lounge, Backstage Live Restaurant and the Fringe Club from time to time.

Muse: What do you want to see in the Hong Kong music scene?

More people to get into actual musicianship.

Muse: An interesting moment in your musical life?

One time my concert began and I walked out on stage and the audience was cheering, then I realized that I had left my guitar backstage.

Muse: Worst gig?

Any gig where the musicians are just hired there for show like furniture and the audience doesn't give a f**k about what you are playing is a bad gig. We have all done many of these kinds of functions, haven't we?

Muse: Instrument that you wish you could play, but don’t?

 I love playing the guitar. It's my chosen instrument.  I see that as a lifetime commitment to get good at it, so I never really thought of the desire to play another instrument.  However, I do play some piano/keyboards.

Muse: What is your greatest inspiration?

Great music!

Karissa Muse

About the author:

Jazz guitarist Karissa Muse (left) has written about music since the 1980s and has hosted jazz programs on public radio and the internet. You can catch Muse at Melting Pot on November 7 or occasionally at Peel Fresco Music Lounge sitting in with musicians.

Jazz Festival highlights

Other highlights of the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival 2009 are Swedish contemporary piano trio The Jan Lundgren Trio, French electro jazz group Sept Tete and German Michael Schiefel whose innovative use of voice and electronics is pushing the envelope of vocal jazz into uncharted territory.

A particularly noteworthy event is saxophonist Tim Garland’s workshop on October 13th. Garland is a crossover musician and composer who blends jazz, classical and folk music into something totally unique. Free events include performances by international groups, jazz photography exhibitions, talks and jam sessions.

Locations and ticketing

Peel Fresco. 49 Peel Street, Central, tel +852 2540 2046
Melting Pot. Unit 1-5 Elgin Street, Central, tel +852 2559 2777

Tickets for the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival available via URBTIX and Tom Lee Music outlets