The 2009 Beijing NineGates International Jazz Festival is about to rise curtain on May 22^nd. In the next 5 days of marvelous audio-visual feast held in Beijing Forbidden City Concert Hall, more than twelve famous jazz bands from home and abroad will be on stage and dedicate to audience classic jazz music.

China's most famous musicians and bands will present their latest works on the scene. Xia Jia Jazz Trio will explore and explain new dimensions and connotations of music as well as art. Red Hand Jazz Band being a newly emerged band established last year by several rising jazz stars in Beijing will prove its competence. Liu Yue Trio led by China¡¯s most talented jazz guitarist Liu Yue keeps on probing into the possibilities of new performance, and this year will bring the audience a long-awaited surprise featuring a perfect fusion of Chinese traditional music and jazz. Jazz beauty Zhang Ying will unveil her new jazz song, and of course, the well-known leader of Chinese jazz Liu Yuan and his band will again show their might.

Apart from China's local jazz bands, invited as well are the top jazz musicians and bands from all over the world.

It remains fresh in our memory when Mike Stern (outstanding US fusion jazz guitarist and recognized 'King of Guitar¡¯'), Chick Corea (US jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer, as well as multiple Grammy Award winner), ErikTruffaz (world-renowned French trumpet player), Didier Lockwood (well-known French jazz violinist), Martin Reiter (distinguished Austrian pianist), Yannick Rieu (Canadian saxophonist and the 'national treasure of Canada¡¯) and other musicians brought countless surprises to the media and Chinese audience in the preceding four festivals. This year is without exception. Foremost jazz musicians from every quarter of the globe will join again and perform on this dazzling stage their best works for all the jazz lovers.

It is also worth mentioning that there were joint efforts contributed by Chinese and foreign musicians last year. Legendary French trumpeter ErikTruffaz performed together with China's jazz piano prince Xia Jia. Moreover, the world-renowned Chinese suona soloist Guo Yazhi interpreted the artistic integration of the East and the West with Time Out Trio.

Be them from home or abroad, top jazz musicians on this stage will undoubtedly be armed with world's utmost mainstream and melodious modern jazz.

Peking University Hall will serve as another location for this music week as a series of splendid concerts and speeches given by jazz masters will be arranged there. Besides, the official website of Beijing NineGates International Jazz Week (http://www.ninegates.com.cn/) has been established recently. All the forefront information concerning NineGates, development and tendencies of jazz in China and the world as well as the professional knowledge of jazz could all be found on this website. Come closer and experience, witness the jazz revolution in China.