Canadian Brass first went to China in 1977.  We were the first western music heard behind the Iron Curtain after the “Smashing of the Gang of Four”.  Thirty-three years later, the cultural, economic, and political landscape is completely different.  The actual landscape is immensely different as well, as you will see in the pictures that follow.

Come with us on a picture-story of our return to China.

Brandon, Keith, and Chris on their way!

May 18, 2010

Once we arrived, we walked out into the airport to find a long line of people receiving arriving passengers.  It’s a busy place for sure.

Shanghai Airport’s “receiving line”

We took another flight (Shanghai to Xi’an) right away.

Chuck, Brandon, and me – Shanghai to Xi’an

After some amazing Chinese food that is verrrry different from North American “Chinese Food”, we went to experience some Chinese culture.  Around the same time Canadian Brass were first in China, a farmer was digging a well.  While digging, he accidently stumbled on what is now known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” – The Terracotta Army.

Before entering the museum, we gave an impromptu performance for the guards and public.

Post-performance pose with the real-life warriors…well, ok…security guards.

There are over six thousand unique statues that can be seen in three different locations.  The formation of the statues replicate real wartime formations, and the pits are in strategic defensive positions around the tomb of the First Emperor of Qin.

Pictured here are some of the Terracotta Warriors.  Front group are restored statues, and back group are in original discovered form.

Close-up of a few faces.

Canadian Brass and the “Eighth Wonder of the World”

Halfway through our tour, we got to experience a traditional Chinese Tea-House.

Keith, Chris, and Brandon with our Tea-Tour-Guide.

We spent a few hours there, and just loved it.  We learned a great deal about how diverse the Chinese Tea Culture is, and a lengthy-yet-relatively-small portion of what tea has to offer.  Because we enjoyed our time so much, we gave another impromptu performance for our new friends at the Tea House.

“Beale Street Blues” at Chinese Tea Time.

Terrabrass Warriors

Creative weapon choice for these warriors…

Throughout the tour, we saw constant reminders of collisions – collisions of both past and present times, and Asian and American cultures.  These could be called collisions, collages, contemporary mosaics…?

Modern Temple?

Shopping may have been an activity once or twice.

Brandon, Chris, and Keith walking the shops.

Keith and Chris participating in the culture.

We made a few purchases that first day.  Anyone who knows Keith’s “No, you’re on FIRE!” story will have the same concerned reaction Chris had when you see Keith’s first purchase.  (See HERE for details)

Keith with his new Zippo lighter.  Please be careful Keith…watch your hair!

Modern Mall next to Temple.

Chris getting a great deal on something…

We might have caught Chuck sneaking off for a North American pleasure at one point.  Caught and followed…

Chuck sneaking off…somewhere.

May 20, 2010

Our first performance was for a full house in Xi’an.  The concert halls are beautiful, with impressive acoustics and very appreciative audiences.  What more could we ask for?  Oh yes, and wonderful interpreters as well.

Post concert pose with our interpreter.

Everyone was deeply interested in Chuck’s experience with the group’s trip to China in 1977.  We had many interviews about it, and Chuck shared insight into what it was like to be there then, and the unbelievable differences he’s seeing now.  We hope to link to some of the interviews.

Interview for local TV station.  Keith and Chuck share a laugh.

May 21, 2010

Our next stop was Beijing.  What a city!  We had very limited time there.  We asked as many creative questions as possible to be able to return to the “Great Wall” but our schedule did not permit us.  We did get to see many other famous places.

Tiananmen Square

Our concert this night was in the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing…otherwise known as “The Egg”.

National Center for the Performing Arts – “The Egg” – Beijing

The famous concert hall was fabulous.

Beautiful visual and acoustic had by all.

Part of our autograph/photo op line

May 22, 2010

Flying to Dalian.

This is a daily ritual for us…flying to a new city.

This is a daily ritual for us…ordering coffee.

Brandon, Chris, Chuck, our tour-guide-and-more Luis, and Keith

Another impressive concert hall, The Dalian Grand Theatre

Our concerts were very well received, to say the least.  There was a very steady energy build from beginning to end, with massive explosive applause and cheering with our encores of Beale Street Blues, and then the show-stopping Mo Li Hua!!  Great job on the arrangement, Chris!  We had to get rid of a three-four-bar in the middle because everyone clapped along.  That was a wild first performance, cross-rhythms and all.

We were quite mobbed at this signing.

Mobbed in a good way!

Keith letting “urgent” travelers go past him…

…look at that face.  Keith sure has won a place not only in our ears, but in our hearts.

Driving to the airport, we noticed a recognizable face or two on a billboard.  We had to stop to see.

More-than-life-size Canadian Brass

Check back next month to hear about the second half of our exciting and successful China tour.

All the best,

Chuck, Jeff, Brandon, Keith, and Chris