Performed by China Oriental Jasmine Girl’s Band

Oriental Jasmine Blossoming in Sydney

The glamorous ninety-minute spectacular “Oriental Jasmine Blossoming in Sydney” was brought to life by traditional Chinese instruments in a refined performance by the China Oriental Jasmine Girl’s Band at Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on September 24th 2009 in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Chinese National Day.

The COJGB was formed in the Sichuan Province and is one of China's most dynamic and highly acclaimed music ensembles. Consisting of 22 professional female artists, fourteen musicians, six dancers, one vocal performer, and one magician, the COJG performed in Australia at Sydney Opera House for the first time ever this year.

Each of these talented artists can play more than one instrument, including the Gu Zheng (ancient Chinese zither equipped with movable bridges and 16-25 strings), the Pipa (four-stringed lute with apear shaped body), the Yang Qin (Chinese hammered dulcimer with a square-shaped soundboard), he Erhu (two-stringed Chinese violin) and the Dizi (bamboo flute).

This multimodal concert blends Chinese folk instruments with exciting dancing numbers, vocal performance, and dynamic mask tricks complemented by the distinctive undertones of traditional Chinese folk culture and extravagant costumes.

The concert also featured a selection of traditional Chinese folk instruments such as the Kou-Xuan and Jiang-Di as well as instruments of a more western repertoire, including the saxophone and violin. All of the above came together in a refined and harmonious synthesis that allowed the audience to experience traditional Chinese music in ways like never before as it was artfully interwoven with selected elements from modern pop, rock, and jazz aesthetics.