Hong Kong’s Cathay WestK Jazz Fest will return in November with its biggest programme yet, bringing Grammy winning artists Kenny G, Diana Krall and Stacey Kent to the city for 10 days of performances, collaborations and free music events.
The eighth edition of the festival will run from November 13 to 15, November 17 to 22, and November 24, with more than 100 international and Hong Kong musicians taking part in nearly 50 ticketed and free programmes. Performances will take place across major venues in the West Kowloon Cultural District, including the Xiqu Centre, Freespace and Wonderland.
The expanded programme will also mark the festival’s first collaboration with Montreux Jazz Festival China, creating a new link between Hong Kong’s jazz programme and one of the world’s best known jazz festival brands.
Kenny G to return to Hong Kong after 18 years
Kenny G will headline the festival’s closing performance at Wonderland on November 24, marking his first appearance in Hong Kong in 18 years.
The American saxophonist, known for his smooth jazz sound and long running international career, has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. He is widely recognised as the best selling instrumental artist of the contemporary era and has built a global audience through albums and performances centred on his distinctive saxophone style.
His return will be one of the festival’s major attractions and comes as part of the new partnership with Montreux Jazz Festival China.
Paul Tam, Executive Director of Performing Arts at the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, said the festival had developed into a major annual music gathering in Asia. He said the collaboration with Montreux Jazz Festival China also reflects Hong Kong’s position as a place for international cultural exchange.
The partnership adds an international dimension to an event that has steadily expanded its programme of artists and performances since its launch.
Diana Krall to open the festival
The festival will begin on November 13 at the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre, where Canadian jazz pianist and singer Diana Krall will perform.
Krall has won two Grammy Awards and 10 Juno Awards during her career. Her work has earned a broad international audience, combining jazz standards with her own recordings and a distinctive vocal and piano style.
She also holds a notable place in the Billboard Jazz Albums chart. According to the festival, Krall is the only jazz artist to have had eight albums debut at No. 1 on the chart.
Her opening night performance will set the tone for a festival that brings together established international names alongside musicians from Hong Kong and other parts of Asia.
Stacey Kent will follow on November 17 with two performances at Freespace. The American jazz vocalist, who has received a BBC Jazz Award, is known for her restrained vocal delivery and storytelling approach.
Her performances are expected to focus on detailed arrangements and an intimate presentation rather than the large scale production associated with some of the festival’s headline shows.
Hong Kong musicians join international artists
The programme will also feature collaborations designed to bring together musicians from different musical traditions and creative disciplines.
Korean jazz vocalist Song Yi Jeon will work with Hong Kong audiovisual artist Chi Him Chik, combining live jazz with visual elements. The collaboration reflects the festival’s wider effort to connect music with other forms of contemporary artistic expression.
American rhythm guitarist Cory Wong will perform with Hong Kong harmonica player Cy Leo, a world harmonica champion. Their appearance will bring two distinctive instrumental styles together on the same stage.
Hong Kong pop artist JACE will also collaborate with jazz guitarist Teriver Cheung, creating another meeting point between local popular music and jazz.
The festival’s international line up will extend beyond its three headline names. Italian jazz pianist, vocalist and composer Francesca Tandoi is scheduled to perform at The Box, Freespace, on November 22.
The mix of artists gives the festival a broader musical scope, moving between traditional jazz performance, contemporary collaborations and cross genre projects.
Music and wellbeing come together at Groove Grove
Music will also move outside conventional concert spaces during this year’s festival.
A new programme called the “Music Healing Zone: Groove Grove” will be set up on the M+ Green Lawn. The programme will be developed in partnership with local mental wellbeing organisations and will combine music with meditation.
Located beside Victoria Harbour, the zone is designed as a quieter listening environment where visitors can experience music away from the formal setting of a concert hall.
The addition reflects the festival’s broader programme beyond headline performances, with free and ticketed activities planned across the West Kowloon Cultural District.
More than 100 musicians are expected to participate throughout the 10 day programme, giving audiences opportunities to see both internationally established performers and artists from Hong Kong.
Cathay welcomes international visitors
Cathay Group is again supporting the festival as part of its connection with Hong Kong’s arts and cultural scene.
Edward Bell, General Manager of Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications at Cathay Group, said the company was proud to bring international performers to Hong Kong and expected the festival to attract visitors from overseas.
The event comes as West Kowloon continues to host major cultural programmes across its museums, performance venues and outdoor spaces. The jazz festival uses several of these locations, giving audiences access to performances in different settings rather than concentrating the programme in a single venue.
For Hong Kong, the festival also provides an opportunity to bring international musicians into the city while giving local artists a platform alongside them.
Tickets available from September 29
Tickets for the Cathay WestK Jazz Fest went on sale on September 29 through Cityline and the Xiqu Centre Box Office.
With performances scheduled across November 13 to 15, November 17 to 22 and November 24, the festival will offer audiences a mix of headline concerts, collaborations and free programmes.
For jazz fans, Kenny G’s return after an 18 year absence, Diana Krall’s opening night appearance and Stacey Kent’s Freespace performances form the centre of the international line up, while the collaborations involving Hong Kong and Asian artists add a distinctly local dimension.
Will Hong Kong’s biggest Cathay WestK Jazz Fest yet be part of your November plans?