Guitar Man Comes To Town
Robert Cray headlines an assembly of nine artists performing at Beijing's first international, open-air music festival, to be held in Ritan Park from Friday May 14 to Sunday May 16.
The Grammy-winning singer, guitarist and songwriter, once dubbed the "blues guitarist with a soul singer's voice," will perform with his band 7.30 Sunday night.
The three-day Heineken Beat '99 Summer Music Festival has invited another eight bands from the United States, Netherlands, Britain, France, Belgium and China.
It all kicks off with New Orleans brass band the Dirty Dozen. They promise to play music "that makes people shake and sing along with the band."
Up next, Zang Tiansuo, currently promoting his third solo album. One of the mainland's top rock and pop musicians, Zang is also known as Cui Jian's former keyboard player and composer for Zhang Yimou's hip film "Keep Cool."
World music specialists Zap Mama round off the first evening with their combination of African, Indian, Arabic and Australian vocal sounds with occasional rap, Rhythm and Blues and a cappella.
Beijing combo the Rhythm Dogs Big Band play R&B, funk and jazz arrangements 5.30 pm Saturday, followed by "The Diva With A Voice" Jocelyn Brown 7.30 pm. She has gained international recognition for her cooperation on top-five hits with Right Said Fred, Incognito, Todd Terry and Inner Life.
Hans Dulfer and Saskia Laroo slip some hypnotic Saturday night grooves. Dulfer has been a big hit in Japan, and has invited a funky dance jazz/acid jazz trumpet player Saskia Laroo to help him bring down the house.
Out of the 22-member PLA Army Marching Band was born the Golden Angle Jazz Band in 1996. They will perform Sunday afternoon before Robert Cray's smooth Memphis-soul-meets-Southern-R&B takes over.
Sixun round off the festival with an eclectic French fusion of ethno-African and Arabian influences into jazz and rock. Past capital city performances have proven a great success for the 10-year-old band, now plugging their latest album "Lunatic Taxi."
Tickets - including one free beer - cost 100 yuan standing, 120 sitting. They can be bought at the gate, but can also in advance at: Landao Shopping Center, Parkson Department Store, Shuang'an Department Store, Guiyou Shopping Mall, Lufthansa Shopping Center and the south gate of Ritan Park. For further information, call 6497-3261 or check the websites at http://www.heineken.nl, or http://www.heineken.com