Coco Zhao Quartet
Friday den 27. February kl. 21:00 - 01:00
Internationally acclaimed jazz singer Coco Zhao from Shanghai is a unique figure on the global jazz scene. He has toured the world, performing at major festivals and venues such as Blue Note Shanghai, Beijing Jazz Festival, JZ Festival, and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. For Vinterjazz at La Fontaine, he presents a powerful lineup featuring Hammond virtuoso Martin Schack and seasoned drummer Janus Templeton.
The evening also features American saxophonist Alec Hawic, who will be making his Danish debut on La Fontaine’s iconic stage this weekend. The audience can look forward to a set where Zhao’s characteristic vocals meet organ jazz, modern swing, and lyrical improvisations—a concert that honors tradition while pushing it forward.
Line-up
Saxophone
Alec Haavik is an American-born saxophonist and composer who has become an icon on the Asian jazz scene (based in Hong Kong), maintaining strong ties to Europe and Denmark. He is known for his explosive energy, technical mastery, and his ability to blend modern jazz with rock, funk, and spiritual undertones. With his band, Alec Haavik & The Friction, he creates a compelling and boundary-pushing sound, making him a popular performer at events like the Copenhagen Jazz Festival.
Vocal
Coco Zhao (Zhao Ke) is one of China’s most prominent and internationally acclaimed jazz vocalists. He is celebrated for his unique ability to fuse traditional Chinese music and 1920s Shanghai melodies with modern Western jazz. Dubbed “The Boy Billie Holiday from China,” he has performed at major venues like the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. Zhao has a strong connection to Denmark through collaborations with musicians such as Sinne Eeg and Christina von Bülow, where his velvety voice and charismatic stage presence bridge the gap between Eastern and Western musical cultures.
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Bass, Drums, Vocal
Janus Templeton is an acclaimed Danish drummer, celebrated for his intuitive sense of interaction and collective improvisation. He possesses a unique ability to propel the music forward without ever overpowering his fellow musicians. Templeton has performed with a broad spectrum of Danish and international jazz names, including Svend Asmussen and Chris Cheek. His versatility and subtle yet authoritative playing have made him a highly respected figure on the Scandinavian jazz scene.
Hammond organ
Martin Schack is a versatile and acclaimed Danish pianist and organist, moving fluently between neo-bop, mainstream jazz, and re-interpretations of the Danish songbook. He has an extensive international career, releasing albums on Storyville Records, notably featuring Tom Harrell. Schack is also a prominent cultural figure, serving as a lecturer at the Conservatory of Music, as the owner of the venue Termansens, and as the founder of the Ribe Jazz Festival.
