Suona player performs in Havana jazz festival

Chinese suona player Hu Chenyun gave a concert on Jan 22 at the International Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana.

Hu performed Chinese music pieces, such as Hundreds of Birds Paying Homage to Phoenix, and also played with local musicians adaptations of Cuban music pieces. This year's festival, running from Jan 21 to 28, featured 66 bands and performers from about 20 countries. It was the first time a Chinese musician performed at the festival.

"I have prepared for this concert for nearly a year. I am very proud and excited to showcase the traditional Chinese musical instrument in Cuba and communicate with local musicians," said Hu, a musician with Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, who traveled from Shanghai to Havana for over 50 hours. "When I did rehearsals with the local musicians, I was instantly intrigued by the collaboration in spite of the long flight."

Besides live performance, Hu also showed the versatility of suona (Chinese double-reed woodwind instrument), offering the local audience a glimpse of the Chinese musical instrument.

The concert of Hu was part of the ongoing "Joyful Chinese New Year", a series of overseas Spring Festival themed events and activities to celebrate the traditional Chinese festival.