Teen pianist has a passion for all that jazz

Music prodigy Dailiang, better known as A Bu, has just released his firt jazz album. [Photo by Zou Hong/China Daily]

Beijing native A Bu celebrated his 15th birthday on July 16, and the biggest gift he received was the release of his first album, 88 Tones of Black and White, from A Bu Trio.

In a black tailored suit, the young musician took a seat in front of a piano. Along with veteran bassist Ma Kai and drummer Shao Haha, he played two tracks from the album, Miles Davis Licks and A Night in Tunisia.

With his fingers effortlessly tinkling the ivories, A Bu astonished his audience.

Indeed, the young boy, whose real name is Dai Liang, has created a buzz in the jazz scene ever since he started to regularly perform at jam sessions at CD Cafe in Beijing in 2011.

His love for music started at the age of 4 when he walked into a music shop in Beijing with his parents and pointed to the biggest instrument that he could see - the piano.

He began classical piano training and, at 9, he was accepted into the primary school affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

"I knew that I might be different from other children, who learn the piano from a very young age," Dai says, while pushing up his glasses. Instead of playing Beethoven and Mozart, he discovered jazz.

He cites acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Michel Camilo as his biggest idol.

"A Night in Tunisia by Dizzy Gillespie was my first encounter with jazz music. It's so different from what I have learned. I love it so much," says Dai, who is now in his second year of study at the middle school affiliated with the Central Conservatory of Music, majoring in both classical and jazz piano.

At age 9, he persuaded his parents to let him take jazz and Latin lessons along with his classical piano education. He also listens to rock and pop music and is a big fan of John Lennon.

According to Dai's father, Dai Bin, a jazz fan, his son enjoys playing impromptu for hours after finishing the practice assigned by his teachers.

"He feels no pressure and relaxes by playing piano, which is just the spirit of jazz," his father says.

Veteran bassist Huang Yong, founder of the Beijing Nine Gates International Jazz Music Festival, has invited the young musician to the opening concert at the 7th Beijing Nine Gates International Jazz Music Festival in 2012, which won Dai more performing opportunities in China and abroad.

"He often comes to watch live jazz performances at Beijing's popular music venues, such as CD Cafe and East Shore Jazz Cafe, with his father. One day, I was surprised to see him onstage, improvising with the bands," Huang says. "His music is completely mature and beyond his age. It's not just skill but also emotions."

One of Dai's teachers, jazz pianist Kong Hongwei, who formed one of China's pioneering jazz bands, Golden Buddha, taught Dai for more than five years. Kong was amazed by Dai's talent and passion for jazz.

"Like many children who learn instruments in China, Dai participated in many competitions. But besides awards, he enjoys playing onstage for audiences," says Kong.

Dai's debut album was made with the help of Sennheiser Media, which has named him as the first recording artist under the label to promote young and upcoming talents around the world.

"We've worked on this album for two years and we've experienced in the studio a true live performance by the three musicians," says Marc Vincent, president of Sennheiser Greater China, who was in Beijing to release the album.