Red Hand Jazz Band

The recently formed Red Hand Jazz Band has made it their mission to enliven the Beijing jazz scene by creating original jazz based on the fundamentals of jazz: improvisation and communication. These open-minded musicians emphasize elements from past jazz traditions as well as original material with the hope of reaching out to an ever-growing Beijing jazz audience.

Saxophone £ºNathaniel Gao

Red Hand was formed by saxophonist Nathaniel Gao, who upon his arrival in 2006 quickly became active in the Beijing jazz and creative music communities. Gao, a Chinese-American studied jazz saxophone at the University of Northern Iowa. He currently performs with the Beijing City Big Band and Bu Yiding, as well as groups led by guitarist Liu Yue and drummer Justin Padro.

Trumpet: Wen Zhiyong

Wen graduated from the Central Conservatory with an emphasis in classic trumpet£¬ under the tutelage of professor Ji Rui Kai. He studied with trumpet master Adolf Holler and was first trumpet of the Vienna Philharmonic at the international arts festival sponsored by her. Wen also plays with Ah Q Orchestra, Bu Yiding and the Beijing City Big band.

Keyboard: Xia Jia

Aschoolmate of Wen, Xia later went to the United States to study jazz and graduated from Eastman Conservatory. He is the conductor of the Beijing City Big Band. He plays keyboard with Cui Jian¡¯s band and also is the frontman of Dew Electric Trio.

Drum: Xiao Dou

A representative of China¡¯s new generation of jazz musicians, Xiao Dou is beginning to make his mark in the music world as a result of his sharp artistic insight and diligent training. That¡¯s Beijing has advised Redhand audiences to: ¡°Keep your eye out for drummer Xiao Dou.¡± Xiao Dou currently is a member of both the Dew Electric Trio and the Beijing City Big Band, and also plays with Ah Q Orchestra and Arrows Made of Desire.

Bass: Da Huai

Da Huai graduated from Beijing Contemporary Music Institute. A member of a younger generation of Chinese jazz musicians, he has begun to bring a new vitality to the Beijing music scene. The rhythm section of Xiao Dou, Da Huai and Xia Jia make up Red Hand¡¯s foundation. Da Huai also plays with ensembles led by pianist Christophe Lier¡¯s and drummer Justin Padro.