Shanghai's Local Music Scene: Performers Heat Up the Stage

With its overflowing arena of clubs, music bars, events, festivals and constant grand openings, Shanghai is really the dream come true for a performing artist. The city's thirst for musical acts and entertainment of all kinds is seemingly unquenchable.

Julian Quander

Life in Shanghai has been quite the rollercoaster for DC native Julian Quander. After crossing continents to begin an eight month contract at Park Hyatt, he spent seven of them singing his lungs out, just to end up getting the boot right before finish line.

Instead of losing hope or returning to the States, Quander used the setback as inspiration for career expansion. He went into what he calls 'hustle mode': performing in various clubs, doing commercials, modelling, teaching music and starting an online video serial, 'JQTV'. "People back home were shocked that I stayed in China. But then I had one friend who told me, ‘If there’s anywhere you should try and make it, it's here,’" Quander says.

Now he is hotter than ever, headlining acts at the Xi'an Expo, scheduling upcoming show and festival gigs both in and outside China and holding down his regular spot at clubs and lounges around town.

Julian Quander performs every Monday to Saturday at Sky Club (74 Yuyao Lu) and a show every Friday and Saturday at The Apartment (47 Yongfu Lu). Web: www.julianquander.com

Carlton J Smith

Carlton J Smith is something of a local celebrity for his charismatic stage presence and sultry voice. After landing roles in a soap opera, a Broadway show co-starring Cyndi Lauper and a movie playing James Brown, Smith decided to bring soul back to Shanghai.

“I first came to Shanghai to replace a jazz act at the House of Jazz & Blues back in 2004,” Smith explains. “I enjoyed it even though it wasn’t quite the atmosphere I was used to playing in.” He stayed on in the city, livening up crowds across town from Park Hyatt to Brown Sugar.

As any live music fan in town can tell you, a Carlton J Smith concert experience is not to be missed. With palpable emotion and unflagging energy, he bounces around the stage, incorporating the audience into his act with impromptu duets, shout outs to happy couples and the occasional ribbing for the uninitiated.

Carlton J Smith can be seen Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at O’Malley’s (42 Taojiang Lu). Web: http://carltonjsmith.org