Appropriating the whole city as a stage, The 6th JZ Shanghai Music Festival returns 13 to 17 October, featuring five nights of ‘Jazz Masters’ performing at the Shanghai Centre Theatre, and culminating in a weekend of jazz, world and electronic music in Century Park on three distinct stages. This year's major headliner is multiple Grammy Award-winner Dianne Reeves who will be accompanied at the festival by over 40 acts including The Watts Project, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, Soil & Pimp Sessions, Yosi Levy and many more international and local bands, artists and DJs. In addition, from 4 to 17 October at the Shanghai Expo Garden, a multitude of jazz bands will provide nightly performances, while the ‘Jazz Around Town’ series has artists popping up in public spaces throughout the month to bring the music directly to the masses.

The Diva: Dianne Reeves

For jazz connoisseurs, Dianne Reeves needs no introduction. As one of the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world today, she has won four Grammy Awards, appeared on Hollywood soundtracks and performed and recorded with jazz legends and orchestras worldwide. Taking a quick moment out of her busy touring schedule, the jazz diva spoke with TALK about her connection to China and the importance of storytelling through music.

Have you ever been to China before? What are your impressions of of the country and audiences?

This will be my third time performing in China. I find Chinese audiences to be very gracious and it is always pleasure to perform there.

What can we expect from your performance this time? Will you be doing jazz standards or something new we can look forward to?

My show will be a mixture of things old and new with a range of emotions and stories.

Does China have any significance to you as a person, as an artist?

The last time I was in China I heard Chinese music with pop sensibility. Last year I was introduced to the great artistry of Liu Huan and jazz vocalist Jen Shyu, both artists I thoroughly enjoy! Shanghai is an extraordinary city. The architecture is second to none in the world and it is an exciting city to be in.

Storytelling is a key component of your music; from where does this ability come?

I was born with the talent, but talent is never enough. You have to develop it, refine it and define your ability – which comes with study, practice and experience.

Your performance style is quite unique. Audiences at your live shows often say they intimately connect with your ‘storytelling through jazz’. How did you first establish your performance style?

Everybody has a specific calling, it is important to master the unique gift you are given. That is the thing I love most of all about jazz – everybody brings something different to the table.

One of your most well-known songs is ‘Better Days’, in which you sing about your grandmother, what is the significance behind the song?

It is a story of love and good intentions for someone young and is open for interpretation by the listener. Sometimes people come to me and tell me about the person that inspired their lives and it is not necessarily their grandmother.

What is your opinion of contemporary music?

Much like anyone else, I like what I like. There are a lot of people doing some very interesting and wonderful things presently in the world of music.

How do you make jazz appealing to younger generations, who might consider it dated?

Well the beauty of jazz is that it is ever evolving and is best enjoyed live. As I travel throughout the world, I am just amazed at the throngs of young people who are learning to play and love this music.