Prior to the concert Symphonic Jazz Odyssey, join host Dr. Kenneth Li for a lively talk exploring the fascinating world of symphonic jazz. Li will introduce his own composition Sagittarius, sharing how to weave orchestral textures and colours with jazz idioms into a distinctive voice. Joining live online from the UK and the US respectively, composer Dr. Barak Schmool will discuss his latest work Many Continents, 1 Language, which will receive its premiere in the concert, and reflect on the cross-cultural ideas behind it, while the versatile violinist Dr. Xenia Deviatkina-loh, known for her wide-ranging repertoire across genres, will speak about the challenges and excitement of performing new styles that blend symphonic richness with rhythmic vitality.

These perspectives create a dynamic dialogue on how symphonic jazz is evolving across regions, and how artists are shaping its future, inviting audiences to discover the genre’s diversity, cultural contexts, and creative journeys behind the music.

*Conducted in English

*Free admission; registration is required