Jazz venue head and shoulders above others

By Vikki Roylance

IF your heart leaps to a jazz beat, Shanghai has a surprising collection of offerings for you, ranging from international names to more humble (but still eager) local contributions. The most luxurious choice, and arguably the best jazz club in China, is CJW.

CJW (CigarJazzWine) has two locations, one in Xintiandi and the other in the Bund Centre. Also home to the Westin hotel, the centre is easily distinguished along the Shanghai Skyline for its roof, which resembles a flower or a crown. If you have time for only one night at CJW you should choose the Bund Centre. Situated on the 50th floor, it offers spectacular 360 degree panoramic views of the Bund, Lujiazui and surrounding areas.

The decor resembles something from a Turkish palace with silk-swathed crystal chandeliers and velvet seats. If you are part of a bigger group, it is worth booking your own area around the edge of the venue, with silk curtains for privacy and sofas to lounge on. Cost is a minimum spend of 800 yuan (US$99). This sounds a lot but with cocktails at 80 yuan (US$10), it really is an easy target to hit.

The music is genuine jazz and musicians are "imported" from overseas. Just recently, CJW played host to the luscious Arlee McLeonard and now has Craig Haynes, son of famed jazz legend Roy Haynes, within its band.

Craig Holiday Haynes (named after Billie Holiday) was born in New York into an already established musical family. The younger Haynes inherited his father's love for jazz beats. He began playing guitar, accordion and piano as a child before moving to the French horn in elementary school. At the age of 15 he began his professional career playing tenor saxophone before moving to the drums at the age of 20. It is this instrument that has led him all across the world playing with greats such as George Benson, Marcus Miller, Jimmy Heath, Tony Bennett and Gloria Lynne, amongst others.

Carol Chang, CJW's keyboardist and band leader, spotted Craig on a DVD from a concert a few years back and invited him to play at CJW. When Haynes told his father, (who still travels the world playing music) that he was coming to China, Roy said: "China? Nobody goes to China!" But a few weeks after arriving Haynes discovered that his father, having never set foot on Chinese soil, had made it to China himself. In the House of Blues and Jazz, a bar on Maoming Road, he found his dad's picture on the wall, with all the greats.

"My father's picture in on the wall, right here in Shanghai," he told the Shanghai Star over cocktails. "And it made me feel as though I am here to help China to come to know and love jazz music, like much of the rest of the world."

Haynes has received much praise and many great reviews from all over the world and the trend continues in Shanghai.

CJW combines outstanding talent, a warm atmosphere and a sense of luxury. This is the place to go to enjoy authentic jazz.

Make sure you book at the weekends as it tends to fill up fast. Though there are no strict guidelines on dress, Friday and Saturday night are made for dressing up.

CJW
Bund Centre
50F, 222 East Yan'an Road
Tel: 6339-1777, 6339-2777
Xintiandi
House 2, Lane 123, Xinye Road
Tel: 6385-6677, 6385-2277