In the eight-episode online programme Jazz ABC, jazz guitarist Mark Leung will explain the concepts and development of jazz music, demonstrate the basic elements of jazz ensemble with the band, and introduce four selected phenomenal jazz music styles. 

In Cantonese.

The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. 

The presenter reserves the right to change the programme, the right to vary the broadcast time of the programme and substitute artists.

Host / Guitar: Mark Leung

Mark Leung received his musical training under Stony Chan, Teddy Suen, Zé Eduardo, Nuno Ferreira and Mário Delgado at various occasions of his music career.  Leung hosted various lecture demonstrations in the “Jazz Up” series presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, including “Getting to Know Jazz”, “Is Jazz That Hard?”, “First Experience of Jazz” and “All that Jazz, Through the Years”.   Leung was an instructor for the Associate Degree Programme of the Hong Kong Institute of Technology.  He is the founder of Sound & Good Co., Olá School of Music and Freelance Musician Association, and also a member of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (CASH). 

Guitar: Moon Wong

Moon Wong is a one of the active local Jazz guitarists who received her music training under Mark Leung and Portugal Jazz musician Zé Eduardo.  Wong performed in the 15^th Macau Jazz Festival in 2015 and gave music demonstration in the lecture demonstration “First Experience of Jazz” and “All that Jazz, Through the Years” under the “Jazz Up” series.   Wong is also an experienced guitar tutor and one of the founders of Olá School of Music.

Bass: Barry Lam

Barry Lam is one of the active local Jazz bassists in Hong Kong and was mentored by renowned Hong Kong Jazz guitarist Teddy Suen and Portugal Jazz musician Zé Eduardo.  Lam is keen on Jazz music performances and music appreciation.  He has acquired years of experience in performing venues including Jao Tsung-I Academy, Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre Black Box Theatre, Savannah College of Art and Design Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Fundação Rui Cunha.  Lam gave music demonstrations as bassist in the lecture series “Getting to Know Jazz”, “Is Jazz That Hard?”, “First Experience of Jazz”, and “All that Jazz, Through the Years”.

Drums: Felix Leung

Felix Leung is a drummer mentored by Portugal Jazz musician Zé Eduardo and renowned local drummer Simon Chui.  He was invited to demonstrate Jazz music for lecture demonstrations “Is Jazz That Hard?”, “First Experience of Jazz”, and “All that Jazz, Through the Years”.  Leung has actively performed and demonstrated jazz music in various occasions, including Jao Tsung-I Academy, Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Fundação Rui Cunha etc.

Episode 1 : Common Forms of Jazz Music 

This episode will explain the standard flow of jazz music.  The host and his band will demonstrate the finer details of the process of playing in a jazz band.

Host / Guitar : Mark Leung 

Guitar : Moon Wong

Bass : Barry Lam

Drums : Felix Leung

Episode 2 : Common Rhythms and Styles of Jazz Music 

The host will demonstrate four common rhythms of jazz music, namely "Swing", "Bossa Nova", "Jazz Ballad" and "Jazz Waltz" with his band, and explain the characteristics of each style.

Host / Guitar : Mark Leung 

Guitar : Moon Wong

Bass : Barry Lam

Drums : Felix Leung

Episode 3 : Jazz Vocabularies (1) 

In this episode, the host explains and demonstrates jazz terminology “Walking Bass”, “Licks”, “Comping”, “Bridge” and “Double Time”.

Host / Guitar : Mark Leung 

Guitar : Moon Wong

Bass : Barry Lam

Drums : Felix Leung

Episode 4 : Jazz Vocabularies (2)  

In this episode, the host continues to explain and demonstrate jazz terminology “Rubato”, “Broken Time” and “Jam Session”.

Host / Guitar : Mark Leung 

Guitar : Moon Wong

Bass : Barry Lam

Drums : Felix Leung

Episode 5 : Dixieland 

Dixieland originated in the early 20th century in New Orleans.  It was originally a type of ceremonial music played during funerals or festivities.  A mix of ragtime, blues and French quadrille, Dixieland was epitomized by Louis Armstrong, who is known as the father of jazz.  In this episode, the host will introduce and demonstrate the musical characteristics of this style of jazz.

Host / Guitar : Mark Leung 

Guitar : Moon Wong

Bass : Barry Lam

Drums : Felix Leung

Episode 6 : Swing

The American economy took off between the 1920s and 1940s and the entertainment industry boomed.  Dance halls often hired Swing big bands to provide accompaniment for dancing.  Experience the Swing music that was all the rage in this episode, as the host demonstrates and introduces the musical characteristics of this style of jazz with his band.

Host / Guitar : Mark Leung 

Guitar : Moon Wong

Bass : Barry Lam

Drums : Felix Leung

Episode 7 : Bebop 

The American economy was in recession between the 1940s and 1960s.  Big bands were no longer mainstream, and entertainment venues switched to hiring smaller bands.   Musicians also had a tendency to bring their private improvisations to the stage.   In this episode, the host will introduce and demonstrate the musical characteristics of Bebop with his band, while give you a glimpse of its unique beauty.

Host / Guitar : Mark Leung 

Guitar : Moon Wong

Bass : Barry Lam

Drums : Felix Leung

Episode 8 : Hard Bop 

Popular from around the 1950s to 1970s, Hard Bop encompasses a wide range of musical styles, including gospel music, R&B and blues.  The host and his band will be playing a variety of Hard Bop tunes to explain and demonstrate the innovative and improvisatory approach of this style of jazz.

Host / Guitar : Mark Leung 

Guitar : Moon Wong

Bass : Barry Lam

Drums : Felix Leung