Interview with the Terry Hsieh Collective

By Josh, 2011年 1月 20日

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I admittedly know very little about jazz in Beijing. One of the few experiences I’ve had came last winter, when I went to CD Jazz to see the Terry Hsieh Collective from Oberlin, OH, as I had mutual friends with one of their members.

Fast forward a year and the Collective is back in Beijing, with shows coming up at D-22 (on Sunday 1/23) and Jianghu (on Tuesday 1/25). Curious about their return trip, I asked band leader Terry Hsieh about the Beijing jazz scene and why he feels it is such an attractive, unique place for his group to perform.

pangbianr: The Terry Hsieh Collective has been very active in China. How many times have you performed here?

Terry Hsieh: This is the second time that my band has been to China, although the two groups have had different members in each formation. Last year, we came here in the winter for a five week tour. This year the tour is shorter, but no less intense. We’re teaching at two schools, playing numerous gigs at a variety of clubs and bars around the city, and taking time to explore and get to know the local musicians. Additionally, the musical dynamics of the group have been entirely different between groups. The music we play is entirely reflective of our musical interests, and so our set list represents a diverse set of musical backgrounds.

pbr: Why are you so interested in China?

TH: That’s a really interesting question, and it would take me a long time to answer. In short, I decided to come back to China after a 9 week language experience in China in 2009. I happened to be loitering around Hou Hai, a super-bourg-y bar district centered around Hou Hai lake while exploring the city one night. I saw a sign that said: “jazz”. I was blown off my feet when I walked into the bar, and I realized how much there was a tight Jazz scene here in Beijing.

Upon getting to know the musicians better, I realized that the local musicians here are craving people to play with. The scene is small, but also a closely-knit community. I wanted to be a part of it, and to share it with those at Oberlin Conservatory (my college) who had the skill sets that would make them good candidates to play music and spread their love of American Classical around the world. It would also give Oberlin students a chance to tour, not something that many of us get to do upon graduating, let alone during school.

I’m a double-degree student at Oberlin College and Conservatory, majoring in Jazz Studies and East Asian Studies, so this little slice of China is right where I’d like to cover. My honors thesis, which I’m conducting field research for while I’m here in Beijing, involves answering question about the regrowth of Jazz in Beijing, and the sociopolitical and economic ramifications of the music. It makes for interesting talk while I’m here.

pbr: Where all have you played in Beijing? What are your favorite venues?

TH: We’ve played in alot of venues over the past few years. Cafe Luce, Club Le Za Zou, D22, East Shore Jazz Bar, Jianghu bar, VA Bar, and have taught clinics at the International School of Beijing, Western Academy of Beijing, and Dulwich Academy.

pbr: How do different Beijing clubs compare in your experience?

TH: I think that Beijing clubs are a very interesting phenomenon. While the atmosphere may be similar to a New York bar, I think the audiences are still getting used to the expanded notions of Jazz music that we at American music schools are constantly being exposed to. Whether that means more nuanced changes that move beyond “standard jazz”, as some people on the Chinese scene call it, or music that tries to bridge gaps between styles, we are trying to bring something new to the table.

Of course, this applies just about anywhere, and the United States is no exception to this rule. On a side note, one of the things I really want to stress is the cultural exchange aspect of this trip: I’ve been trying really hard to ensure that we do more than just play music during our short stay here. I don’t want to just “bring a band”; I want to be working on a cultural exchange that ties people together from both sides of the continent together through our shared love of the music!

pbr: What is your impression of the Beijing jazz scene?

TH: I think there are two ways to look at the scene: the audience members and the musicians. I’ve already stated my opinion on audiences in Beijing, and their growing appreciation for the music. As for the musicians: I don’t think there exists a more swingin’ and humble community of musicians on the planet. They genuinely play music: and they respect other musicians of higher or lower ability for who they are. It’s a small scene, but the community is there: I just can’t think of a better place to bring your talents as a Jazz musician.

Every time I come back to Beijing, I feel like I’ve found a group of brothers that readily accept everyone into their community with a big heart and open mind and I always feel like I’m getting closer to them. It’s a place where I can find a jam on Friday night, and share more than the tunes: community is the name of the game, and the Beijing Jazz community is something you rarely find in the states.

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