Chinese pianist Luo Ning will collaborate with double bass player Xing Yifan, drummer Leandro Severo Fonseca Perez and saxophone player Wu Letian for a night of jazz composed by Luo on Aug. 9 at the Shenzhen Concert Hall.

    Luo has a solid background of classical music and has developed his own style as a jazz pianist. He grew up in Xinjiang and after graduation from Xinjiang Arts University, Luo came to Beijing in 1996 to pursue jazz. In 2010, he went to further his musical education at The University of Arts of Cuba, where he studied with Cuban pianist Chucho Valdes. The eight-time Grammy Award winner opened Luo’s eyes to a jazz genre known as Afro-Cuban music.

    “I once asked him why his music is so attractive. He told me that it’s because he has a Cuban heart. As a Chinese musician, I want to create music with a Chinese heart. That’s what I say with my music,” said Luo.

    One of Luo’s early works is “Farewell My Concubine,” which was inspired by the famous Beijing opera piece performed by the late Mei Lanfang. Luo wrote his piece in 2011 after visiting Mei Baojiu, son of Mei Lanfang, who was also a Beijing opera master.

    Luo also fuses jazz with musical styles from Xinjiang, including the pieces “The Beautiful Kashgar,” “Xinjiang, Xinjiang” and “The Heart of Sayram Lake.” Since 1998, Luo has frequently played on domestic and international stages and has worked with jazz musicians Kenny Garrete and Jens Winther. In 2008 he preformed at the Beijing Olympic Games.

    Time: 8 p.m., Aug. 9

    Tickets: 80-280 yuan

    Reservations: 400-610-3721

    Venue: Shenzhen Concert Hall, intersection of Hongli Road and Yitian Road, Futian District (福田区红荔路和益田路交汇处深圳音乐厅)

    Metro: Longhua or Longgang Line, Children’s Palace Station (少年宫站), Exit D(SD News)