Ultra dynamic and scintillatingly soulful, Ginger Kwan has been leading the way as one of Hong Kong’s hottest and most sought-after jazz singers. A native of Hong Kong who enjoyed an upbringing in a diverse cultural backdrop with exposure to multi-ethnic influences, Ginger is as in-demand for live performances as she is in studio session projects. Her distinctive energy adds that spark to any project that she undertakes, always emanating a vast array of colours and always remaining intimately soulful and melodic. She stamps a unique thumb-print on every song that she sings, radiating her natural, sensual, emotional and exciting persona. In addition, with strong bearings to her roots, Ginger is also renown for her interpretations of traditional Chinese songs that touch audiences of all ages and ethnicity. She made regular appearances on local festivals, newspapers, magazines, radio and TV, with A-list musicians on the scene and several local big bands, Ginger became an icon of the HK arts scene;
In 2016, the songstress decided to take on a new direction to continue her musical journey by relocating to Shanghai where both her grand-mother and mother were born. There she continued to headline in local jazz clubs including Heyday, Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Shanghai and Blue Note Shanghai. Ginger has also provided background vocals and toured with Chinese Mega Stars such as Sandy Lam and Michael Wong.
Recently Ginger has embarked on a completely different environment as love has brought her to Italian soil. She continues her musical journey as she collaborates with new friends she meets along the way. Those lucky enough to catch her live know the real thing when they see and hear it. Ginger Kwan is today's clarion voice that is taking hip musical expression to new and exciting heights.
Ginger unveils her debut album, Kwantum Leap, on 25 & 26 January 2013. The album features a slew of finely crafted original songs with a jazz-contemporary crossover feel. It boasts the talents of some of Hong Kong’s finest musicians, including Dan Lavelle as co-writer and guitarist, Jezrael Lucero as co-producer and keyboardist, Hong Kong’s own singer-songwriter and drummer Jun Kung on drums, and Ginger’s frequent partner in crime Cherry Jennifer Palor, to name but a few. Several internationally renowed musicians also lend their skills, including Toby Mak from Shanghai on trumpet, Hendrik Meurkens from New York on harmonica and Sergio Brandao from Brazil on bass.
Ginger was born into a musical family, but only decided to sing professionally about 10 years ago. She has become well known for her jazz and acoustic gigs on Peel Street, performances with the Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra, as well as her flamboyant soul music revues at venues such as Grappa’s, FCC and Backstage.
“Life for young people is tough; job opportunities are scarce and many are struggling to find their life direction,” Ginger says. Having endured considerable adversity and periods of being lost in her life, she decided to compose songs for her debut album that would speak to those who are going through what she went through and give them strength, hope and inspiration.
Hence the songs on Kwantum Leap tap into a vein of creative positivity, and the titles reflect the themes and emotions that have guided her. She says, “Kwantum Leap came about because lyrically a lot of the songs are based on my life experiences and changes, and I wanted to put the message across that they bring hope rather than pain by turning poison into medicine. Plus, musically, I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and doing original music, because I’ve been doing covers for the last 10 years... so it is a big leap!”
The song titles testify to Ginger's buoyant outlook. The album kicks off with a manifesto of sorts, the horn-drenched, uplifting swing of Believe In Yourself. Other paeans to positivity include We Will Find a Way, Miles and Miles Of Sunshine and Someday. There is also one specially chosen cover song on the album, Simply Red’s Your Mirror, which shares many of Ginger’s lyrical motifs. As a highly significant personal project, the album should delight Ginger’s fans. It will also undoubtedly help her to reach a wider audience in the region, and to this end it features an extra Mandarin version of one of the songs, With You. Meanwhile the singer is already focusing on channelling her visual ideas into a promotional video.
In these troubled times, we hope Kwantum Leap and the artistry with which its message of optimism is conveyed will strike a chord with listeners of all creeds.
A snippet of Ginger's project of "The Great Chinese Songbook"
Performance with the Island Express Jazz Orchestra
Performance with the Island Express Jazz Orchestra
Live performance with The Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra
on "The Works"
Performances and interview promoting her Christmas Single "My Christmas Wish"
Click to read the article on the Christmas concert at the Milano Auditorium with the Milan Symphonic Orchestra
Article on the Hong Kong Jazz scene. Click to read more...
A feature on Ginger's debut album Kwantum Leap on the South China Morning post 20 Jan 2013.
Next weekend will be a busy weekend for Ginger Kwan. Click to read the full article of SCMP, 20 Nov 2011.
Ginger joins Bossa Negra performing Brazilian music sung in Mandarin at the Shanghai World Expo 2010.
Click to read full article
An interview with Ginger in a fashion magazine in Sep 2010
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