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Struggles

by Xiongguan Zhang

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Chris Law
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Kian
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Klaus Scherzer
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1.
Reset 07:04
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2.
Heartbeat 07:32
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3.
Suicide Plan 07:00
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4.
Paradise Wanderer 03:31
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5.
Slow Down And Run 06:42
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6.
Let's Dance To The Silent Music 06:09
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7.
Intro To The Dark 00:42
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8.
Aren't You Afraid Of The Dark? 05:52
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9.
A Blessing in Disguise 02:27
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about

It’s only been one and a half year since guitarist Xiongguan Zhang’s relocation back in Shanghai, but the experience is already plenty for the rising star in the city’s jazz scene to write and produce a whole new record. Despite the dark nature of most compositions (you’ll hear it when listening to “Suicide Plan” or “Aren’t You Afraid of the Dark?”), Zhang claims his latest album “Struggles” is actually a product of positive changes in sound, style and approach to music based on his observation of the Shanghai music scene.

If Zhang’s first original work “New Sound from The Past” from 2016 reflects his personal sound when he was living in Boston, his second creation “Struggles” showcases what Zhang experiences when playing with musicians and connecting with audiences in his old home. It took the most active guitarist in Shanghai quite a while to figure out what kind of music would be fitting to the fast-paced metropolis. A lot of changes are made, but instead of panicking from the unsettlement, Zhang embraces all the struggles result from the changes. The outcome is a fresh sound and a new album.

More grooved-based compositions – “Reset”, “Heartbeat” and lyrical melody - “Paradise Wanderer”, “Let’s Dance to the Silent Music” are a big part of what the struggles lead to. The band is now a quartet (sometimes even trio), giving the music a more direct and intimate sound. Electronic music producer Pete Chen from Guangzhou also contributed by giving the album cover a dark yet warm finish.

The highly anticipated record will be revealed on May 28th at ON STAGE SHANGHAI. Three singles will be released from Mid-April to May on Netease Cloud Music. The album and tickets to the release party (which features not only Zhang’s band but also DJs for the after party) are available on Musickid now. Get your copy and listen to what Xiongguan Zhang has to say about his evolution from the struggles.

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released May 28, 2017

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Xiongguan Zhang Shanghai, China

A finalist of the 2015 Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition,Zhang Xiongguan is a Vox，D’Addario ，D’angelico , Mooer ,JZ Music artist. Zhang is a leading figure in the Chinese jazz scene and one of the most influential jazz musicians and educators in China - He has published three highly acclaimed original albums since in 2015 and teaches jazz guitar and theory at Shanghai Conservatory of Music. ... more

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