|
C
oco Zhao is one of the most sought after singers in China. Once a student of Composition at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Coco has since been immersed in
the study of Chinese traditional music, western classical music and jazz.
His music is a
stunning blend of Chinese and western elements.
In 1997, Coco had the great honor of
performing with the late, great jazz vocalist
Betty Carter
at her performance at the
International Jazz Festival in Shanghai. He has been invited to perform at jazz festivals
in Germany, France, Holland, Spain, England, Switzerland, Thailand, Malasia,
Singapore and Hong Kong.
Most recently, his band “
Possicobilities
” was featured at
the prestigious
Montreal Jazz Festival
in 2006, where it received much acclaim
from the world media and jazzists.
In 1997 he was invited by Parisian Radio station
Europe One to appear in a jazz music program entitled "La Boite de Jazz". There, the
local media dubbed him “The Boy Billy Holiday from China”.
•At the end of 1994, he started performing solo in bars and clubs in Shanghai, which began to earn him some reputability.
•1995, Coco begin his auto-didactic education in jazz and has since continued to delve quite deeply into it. Later that year he formed his first band as a leader: Coco & Co.
•Since 1995, Coco & Co. have performed in every major bar and club in Shanghai. Coco & Co. were one of a kind in Shanghai, and rose quickly to fame as they attracted much attention from international media.
•In 1997, Coco was invited on several occasions to perform at consulates, receptions, and launches for international brand names such as Louis Vuiton, Vidal Sassoon, Beny, and Unilever.
•In July 1997, Coco performed two solo jazz concerts at the Shangri-La Hotel in Shen Zhen in southwestern China. The turnout was momentous and succeeded in increasing dramatically the awareness of and interest in jazz in Shen Zhen. The event was also reported in a special feature of the Shen Zhen New Area Post. In the same month, he performed at Post 97, a private club in Hong Kong.
•In November of 1997, Coco had the great honor of co-operating with world famous jazz singer Betty Carter at her performance at the International Jazz Festival in Shanghai. They sang together in various Jazz clubs in Shanghai after the concert. This amazing experience was extremely inspirational for Coco, as he was able to learn a great deal about Jazz singing from his interaction with Betty.
•In the end of 1997, he was invited by Parisian Radio station Europe One to appear in a jazz music program entitled: “La Boite de Jazz”. During the trip to Paris, Coco performed at renowned Jazz clubs Bois D’Arcy and Petit Journal Montparnasse with local Parisian jazz bands. These were his first performances abroad and the local media gave him the name “The Boy Billy Holiday from China”. At this time he was only 19 years old.
•In November 1998, he was invited performing at opening ceremony of the International Jazz Festival in Beijing (Dave Holland).
•In 1998, he was able to return to Europe twice, and during his tours through France, Holland, and Spain, gained increased exposure to European musicians.
•In 1999, Coco was selected to perform for American president Bill Clinton and his family during their visit to Shanghai.
•In November 1999, Coco was the only representative of Shanghai to perform in the Shanghai International Jazz Festival in coordination with David Sanchez
•In early 2000, he was invited to go to London to perform for Yan Huang International Chinese Arts Festival held at Canary Wharf in London, and during the same trip performed on stage at other venues including the Four Seasons Hotel and the Green Room in Manchester.
•In 2001 Coco was invited to perform a concert at the Cultural Exchange Center in LiJiang, Yunnan province
•In 2002 Coco gave a concert at the Loft Lounge in Zurich, Switzerland during his visit there.
•In 2003 Coco was invited again to Europe to perform in Germany, during his stay in Germany Coco met Udo Lindenberg, Axel Zwingerber and Vince Weber and had a great music exchange with them.
•In Feb 2005, Coco was invited to appear as the lead performer for “All That Shanghai Jazz” to perform in Hong Kong and Singapore’s International Art Festival.
•In Nov 2005 Coco and his band were invited to perform at the Emporium in Bangkok, Thailand, and also at the Asian Swing Jazz festival in the Fringe Club, HK。
•In Dec 2005, Coco, together with Florent Brique (a French trumpet player) organized the first multi-media post-contemporary concert in Shanghai. The “Shanghai Surnatural Orchestra” performed at the leading jazz venue, JZ Club.
•In late April 2006, Coco was invited to perform the main act for the opening ceremony of the "Step International Modern Dance Festival" in the Maag Music Hall in Zurich, Switzerland.
•In May 2006, Coco was invited to perform lead vocal at the Bangkok Jazz Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
•In May 2006, Coco was invited to appear as the lead vocal to perform for “All That Shanghai Jazz” at the Miri International Jazz Festival in Malaysia.
•In June 2006, coco and his band “Possicobilities” had concert at Shanghai Center Concert Hall.
•In July 2006, Coco and his band “Possicobilities” were invited to appear as the first Chinese group to perform at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in Canada.
•At the end of July 2006, Coco was invited by Florent Brique and his electro group to attend the program “West to East” at the “Jazz im Brunnenhof Trier 2006”, Germany.
•In October 2006, he was invited performing at Shanghai Fuxing International Jazz festival.
|