Coco Zhao w. Jazzlab

TWIN BILL w. MARC ATKINSON TRIO

China doesn’t produce many jazz musicians, so it’s remarkable that 31-year-old vocalist Coco Zhao is developing a global reputation. Born in a small town in the Hunan Province, Coco was raised by musical parents who specialized in traditional Chinese opera. By age 10 he was studying Western classical music, eventually finding his way to jazz, which captured his heart. By the time he collaborated with Betty Carter at the Shanghai Jazz Festival in 1997, Coco was well on his way. His first international performances in Paris, earned him the nickname the “Boy Billie Holiday from China.” More work followed in London and Zurich and Coco now performs around the world. For this unique appearance he will be performing with Effendi JazzLab, superstars of the Montreal jazz scene who formed six years ago.