Interview and review by William Chan
Conductor Zé Eduardo and the Jazz Mission Big Band performed four gigs at the Dom Pedro V Theatre in Largo de Santo Agostinho over the Christmas period.
Attending their concert on the first two nights of “Jazz Up for Christmas at Dom Pedro V Theatre,” organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), I was intrigued by the diverse repertoire prepared by the ensemble. Both performances drew a full-house on the lower floor, while the upper floor was reserved for walk-ins.
Featuring a mix of pop songs in English, Portuguese and Putonghua, alongside traditional big band tunes and Christmas-themed arrangements, the concert aimed to appeal to a wide audience with its accessible music selection.
Unfortunately, one of the Portuguese vocalists fell ill during her time in Macau, leading to her absence from the concerts. Overall, the gig was well-received, though as a jazz enthusiast, I personally craved more jazz numbers. However, it was evident that the audience resonated most with the Putonghua song “Scent,” performed by local singer Elisa Chan, which received resounding applause at both shows.
Prior to the concert, the Post had a brief interview with Eduardo, who reminisced about his first performance in Macau in 1979, which was also held at the historic Dom Pedro V Theatre. He praised the preservation efforts in Macau, noting the remarkable condition of the theatre after four decades, highlighting Macau’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage.
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.
Eduardo made regular visits to Macau after his first visit, often bringing musicians along and conducting music classes for local musicians. Reflecting on the pre-handover era, he noted that jazz music in Macau was scarce, primarily limited to small Portuguese groups, with virtually no formal jazz education available. Following Macau’s return to China, he observed a gradual shift in the jazz landscape, with increased involvement from local government and organisations in jazz promotion and youth education initiatives.
While pleased with the progress he has witnessed, Eduardo emphasised that Macau could “do more” in its jazz development, citing the rapid advancements seen on the mainland. He noted the mainland’s burgeoning pool of exceptional players, established jazz educational institutions, and dedicated performance venues, areas where Macau still has room for growth.
Eduardo highlighted the participation of five local musicians in the big band performance, three of whom, all instrumentalists, had been his students during his frequent visits to Macau over the years. He expressed immense satisfaction in seeing their musical growth and maturity, sharing the stage with esteemed European musicians he brought to Macau. “When I see them on stage, I tell myself I finally made it. And they work really hard as well, leaving their home city to go to other places to pursue their studies. I am proud of them.” Zé remarked.
https://www.macaupostdaily.com/news/23479
Zé Eduardo (centre) conducts the Jazz Mission Big Band at the Dom Pedro V Theatre on December 21. – Photo: William Chan
