Jazz Singing and Musicianship in China

Abstract

In the 21st century, vocal jazz in China has continued to develop in a diverse global musical environment. It has produced some excellent jazz singers as well as many popular musicians and music lovers who have tried, learned and sung jazz. Introduced to China around 1930, jazz is a relatively new musical genre in China, and there will be some differences in singing techniques and musical expression. This paper compares jazz with Chinese pop and traditional music in terms of musical skills and knowledge. It explores what Chinese singers should adapt to when singing jazz. It will use qualitative research methods including documentary research, semi-structured interviews and content analysis. Based on professional conditions and comparisons, seven influential jazz singers and musicians in China were invited to participate in the interview. Their perspectives as professional jazz musicians provide novel and direct input into the experience and approach to jazz singing by Chinese. The study provides an academic theoretical foundation and expand the scope of vocal jazz singing in China. It gives advice on jazz singing, such as combining Western jazz techniques with Chinese characteristics, developing musical literacy and understanding jazz concepts. The results of this study could also affect how Chinese jazz singers are trained in the future. This approach helps Chinese jazz singers to not only play well but also to show the emotions and cultural meaning of jazz music.