Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall Street, Vancouver
Entrance at red gates on Carrall and Keefer
Sunday May 25, 2025 2pm
Experience an award-winning musical journey like no other as Jasmine Jazz returns to the enchanting Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden for an unforgettable afternoon of genre-defying brilliance.
Winners of the prestigious West Coast Music Award, this extraordinary ensemble combines the Jodi Proznick Trio and the Vancouver Chinese Music ensemble. Together, they reimagine jazz through the soulful voices of traditional Chinese instruments, creating a mesmerizing dialogue between cultures.
Immerse yourself in the dynamic interplay of erhu’s haunting melodies, guzheng’s cascading strings, and suona’s vibrant calls, woven seamlessly with the rich textures of jazz bass, guitar, and clarinet.
The concert will feature the Vancouver premiere of Breath of Joy, a unique new composition by Bill Coon, alongside fresh, innovative arrangements that bridge centuries of musical tradition with contemporary improvisation by Huang, Tan and Wu.
​
This is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of cross-cultural artistry, where fiery jazz improvisation dances with the elegance of Chinese classical music. Each piece tells a story, blending the spontaneity of jazz with the timeless beauty of ancient melodies. Set against the tranquil serenity of the garden, this performance promises an afternoon of transcendent music where every note resonates with harmony, respect, and shared joy.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness a musical alchemy that could only come from Vancouver’s vibrant creative spirit. Jasmine Jazz is where worlds collide, and magic happens.
Please contact us if you have any questions
Jodi Proznick, Jasmine Jazz
The evening will be all about musical conversations, an east meets west experience, full of beauty, harmony, mutual respect and interplay. The repertoire will be a beautiful mix of songs pulled from jazz repertoire, traditional Chinese folk music, and original compositions.”
Jasmine Jazz
The musicians of Jasmine Jazz consist of members from the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble, who are all trained masters of their traditional instruments as well as the Jodi Proznick Trio.
Jodi Proznick Trio
Jodi Proznick (bass)
James Danderfer (clarinet/sax)
Bill Coon (guitar)
with guest artist Liam MacDonald, percussion
Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble
Jirong Huang (erhu)
Zhongxi Wu (suona/sheng)
Sarah Yusha Tan (guzheng)
Jasmine Jazz wins BreakOut West
Instrumental Artist of the Year 2023
Listen
Upcoming Shows
Rave Reviews for Jasmine Jazz from our Audience
“I heard Jasmine Jazz perform at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden last February and I didn’t know I could feel so seen as a Chinese Canadian. Unique arrangements, homage to tradition, and literally the best musicians of these instruments. Zhongxi Wu is a fourth-generation suona player - what craft have you carried forward from your great-grandparents?! Seriously so cool. Regardless of your background, if you’re a fan of different musical traditions, go go go!"
-Andrea Wong, Jasmine Jazz 2023
East of the Sun
Compositions for Jasmine Jazz premiered at East of the Sun May 4, 2024 at the Annex Theatre.
Encounters by James Danderfer
No Right Turn" is a new composition written by Jodi Proznick. She used a crazy time signature creating an off-kilter feeling. It explores the idea of questioning what is right and the radical acceptance of what is, leaning into it's limitations.
"Writing for Chinese instruments presents challenges with limited scales but offers polyrhythmic opportunities. It's not just a problem; it's an opportunity, mirroring life's complexities." - Jodi Proznick