Interview by William Chan
Zé Eduardo and the Jazz Mission Big Band will be performing the “Jazz Up for Christmas at Dom Pedro V Theatre” concert on the 21st, 22nd, 24th, and 25th of this month. Local musicians Amanda Chan (陳諾詩), Elisa Chan (陳倚俐), Lam Chak Seng (林澤誠), Chan Hon Chong (陳漢聰), and Gregory Wong (黃永豪), who are also participating in the performance, spoke about the upcoming concerts with the Post in online interviews.
The concerts, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), will feature veteran Portuguese singers Marta Garrett and Sofia Rodrigues, along with top jazz performers from Europe, to present the band and Eduardo’s unique compositions at the Dom Pedro V Theatre in Largo de Santo Agostinho.
Elisa Chan expressed excitement about her debut with a big band, eagerly anticipating the high-quality arrangements and energetic performances. She looks forward to the musical fusion and believes the audience will enjoy the experience. Elisa plans to perform a selection of Chinese pop songs in jazz styles to cater to both pop and jazz enthusiasts.
Amanda Chan, a vocalist specialising in R&B and pop, is no stranger to jazz and big band music, but this marks her first collaboration with Eduardo. One of her chosen pieces is Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes,” as she delves into its history and aims to convey her emotions to the audience. She is also featured in the big band classic “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”.
She noted that she feels a positive pressure, viewing this opportunity as a chance to collaborate with talented professional local and European musicians, aiming to inspire the audience during the Christmas season. “I am highly motivated as it provides a platform to represent Macau and showcase the talent of our local artistes.”
Saxophonist Lam Chak Seng* highlighted his admiration for Spanish saxophonist Perico Sambeat, who will appear in the Jazz Mission Big Band, describing him as a prominent figure in the international jazz scene and the face of jazz in Spain. He stressed Sambeat’s significant contributions to the fusion of flamenco and jazz music, expressing great enthusiasm about the opportunity to meet and perform alongside him in the upcoming shows.
Describing Eduardo as a master of jazz education in Europe, Lam revealed Eduardo’s pivotal role as one of his mentors. From the early stages of Lam’s decision to pursue music, Eduardo provided invaluable guidance, ultimately recommending that he study at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague. Lam fondly recalled a jazz workshop hosted by Perico Sambeat and Eduardo in 2012, an experience that continues to inspire his journey in jazz.
Guitarist Chan Hon Chong fondly recalled the encounter with Eduardo during the 2012 Macau International Music Festival, where their mutual passion for music formed a strong bond. At that time, Eduardo acted as the tutor for Hon Chong’s band and even extended an invitation to Hon Chong to join his European band on stage. “Zé Eduardo holds significant ties to Macau, as evidenced by his participation in the inaugural Macau International Jazz Festival in 1979. Through his frequent visits to Macau, Eduardo has introduced talented jazz musicians from Europe, playing a vital role in enhancing and enriching the local jazz scene,” Chan said.
Trombonist Gregory Wong**, who has collaborated with Eduardo and serves as the conductor of the Macau Jazz Orchestra, highlighted the unique composition of the big band for this performance. He emphasised the challenges and intricacies of coordinating a large ensemble for an exceptional musical presentation, particularly when collaborating with vocalists, requiring a high level of skill, coordination, and adaptability from each musician.
Wong also highlighted the significance of the neoclassical Dom Pedro V Theatre, which was built in 1860 in commemoration of Portugal’s King, Peter V, as China’s first Western-style theatre and a distinctive landmark in Macau. “The unique setting of the theatre adds a special touch to the performance of the big band, as it is a collaboration between local musicians and European artists, which further elevates the value of Macau’s jazz music scenery,” he said.
The concert “Jazz Up for Christmas at Dom Pedro V Theatre” will be held on December 21, 22, 24, and 25 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at 250 patacas, with various discounts available. To purchase, visit: www.macauticket.com
* Chan and Lam’s exclusive interview with the Post in November 2022: www.macaupostdaily.com/news/15994
**Wong’s interview last January:
https://macaupostdaily.com/news/16610
This undated file photo shows Amanda Chan singing.
Elisa Chan sings at “hush! Beach Concerts x Urban Yo~ga Wellfest 2024” at Hac Sa Beach in Coloane last month.
Guitarist Chan Hon Chong (second from left) performs with Zé Eduardo’s band during the 2012 Macau International Music Festival.
This undated photo shows saxophonist Lam Chak Seng performing with Portuguese bassist Zé Eduardo.
Trombonist Gregory Wong performs with Zé Eduardo at Orient Foundation in July 2023.
– All photos provided by the five artists
