Blue Note Records China, the newly established jazz label under Universal Music Greater China, is set to release its debut album, Now's the Time: An Anthology of Contemporary Chinese Jazz (Vol. 1), on Oct 23, with a physical edition to follow.
The six-track compilation, which aims to bring the diverse sounds of China's contemporary jazz scene to a wider international audience, is led by the piece, Arc Light, an original composition by pianist Xia Jia and performed by the band, Red Hand. The single was released on Sept 17.
The album brings together three producers from different corners of the jazz world: Don Was, president of Blue Note Records and a Grammy Award winner; renowned Chinese music producer Zhang Yadong; and Ren Yuqing, a leading figure in China's jazz scene and founder of JZ Music.
Was traveled from the United States to Shanghai and Beijing to meet each of the featured artists and take part in the recording sessions. His work ranged from spontaneous studio exchanges with the Red Hand Band in Beijing to recordings with jazz musicians in Shanghai.
"China's current jazz scene has such a deep pool of talent and such a high level of musicianship that it is bound to astonish the world," Was said. "We look forward to bringing this music to audiences everywhere."
The opening track, Arc Light, reflects the Red Hand's long-standing role in China's jazz community. Founded in 2005, the band marked its 20th anniversary with a national tour in 2025. At the heart of the band is pianist Xia, who was born and raised in Yinchuan in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
Between 1999 and 2004, Xia studied jazz piano at the Eastman School of Music. In 2001, he and his classmates performed in the 18th New York JVC Jazz Festival, which marked his debut on the international stage. Since the 1990s, jazz has taken root in Beijing with a number of homegrown musicians performing at clubs and bars, resulting in a vibrant and fast developing scene. After returning to China, Xia frequently played at well-known venues, like East Shore Live Jazz Cafe, which was founded by veteran jazz saxophonist Liu Yuan.
The album's other five tracks explore a broad range of musical ideas and influences.
Guitarist Zhang Xiongguan contributes the piece, One Is Too Many, a ballad that blends pop-inspired melodies with jazz harmony. Trumpeter Li Xiaochuan's Harvest draws inspiration from folk traditions in Shanghai's Jinshan district.
Guitarist Xu Zhihan, drummer Xu Zhitong and the solo project of Gooooose collaborate on Haven of the Wandering Desert, a work shaped by Eastern imagery and atmosphere.
Bassist Chenhuai Wang and Italian jazz pianist Moreno Donadel offer the intimate bass-and-piano duet Song for My Family, while multi-instrumentalist Eugene Sun explores the awakening of inner instincts in Where It All Began.
Together, the six works move across free improvisation, folk storytelling, traditional influences, Eastern-inspired soundscapes, personal reflection and inner exploration.
For Ren Yuqing, the collection captures a new chapter in jazz's century-long history.
"Jazz is an old tree putting forth new blossoms, and the sound of Chinese jazz is part of that renewal," he said. "It shows the imagination, creativity and professionalism of Chinese jazz musicians, and offers one possible direction for the future of the genre."
Zhang Yadong described the album as a meeting of distinct artistic perspectives, saying it captures "the free and captivating notes" of contemporary musicians, as well as Was' deep understanding and respect for their work.
Founded in New York by Alfred Lion in 1939, Blue Note Records has built its reputation on its commitment to jazz, high recording standards and respect for improvisation.
Universal Music Greater China launched Blue Note Records China in May 2025 to carry forward that legacy while developing closer relationships with local jazz musicians and helping bring their music to international audiences.
"The release of Now's the Time marks an important milestone in turning that vision into reality," said Timothy Xu, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Greater China. "The album showcases the diversity, originality and confidence of contemporary Chinese jazz."
