LCSD to hold "Jazz Appreciation from Legends" Lecture Demonstration Series from June to August
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has once again invited members of "Fountain de Chopin", a local emerging jazz music group, as the speakers and demonstrators for a ecture demonstration series entitled "Jazz Appreciation from Legends" that will be held from June to August. This new series consists of 10 lectures, each featuring one renowned jazz musician and his/her profound impact on future generations in each lecture. Complemented by live demonstrations of the musicians' iconic compositions, audiences will be guided to appreciate the unique styles of various jazz music genres.
Details of each lecture are as follows:
Lecture 1: John Coltrane
--------------------------------------------
Date: June 6 (Friday)
As one of the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz, jazz saxophonist John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" defies traditional harmonic patterns of jazz music, and demands exceptional technical mastery from its players. With demonstration performances, the speakers will guide audiences to appreciate Coltrane's works and explore his influence on jazz music.
Lecture 2: Ella Fitzgerald
---------------------------------------------
Date: June 13 (Friday)
Ella Fitzgerald is known as the "First Lady of Jazz". Her improvisational vocal technique of "scat singing" has inspired other singers to build up their unique styles by adding improvisational elements to their performances. The speakers will introduce Fitzgerald's interpretation style in different works, allowing audiences to experience her unique display of improvisational flair and "swing" style.
Lecture 3: Paul Desmond
---------------------------------------------
Date: June 20 (Friday)
Jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, a core member of the famous Dave Brubeck Quartet, is regarded as one of the icons of "cool jazz". The speakers will highlight Desmond's contributions across different jazz music genres. With live demonstrations, audiences will be allowed to enjoy his warm and lyrical saxophone style.
Lecture 4: Chet Baker
---------------------------------------------
Date: July 4 (Friday)
Chet Baker was an accomplished jazz trumpeter and vocalist, with a magnetic voice and superb brass technique, favouring heartfelt melodic expression over technical showmanship. Through demonstration performances, the speakers will give audiences a taste of the raw emotions of the jazz superstar that defines his timeless appeal.
Lecture 5: Bill Evans
---------------------------------------------
Date: July 11 (Friday)
Bill Evans was a renowned jazz pianist of the 20th century. Trained in classical music from an early age, he was later influenced by impressionist composers, resulting in his distinctive musical style. The speakers will introduce Evans' compositions featuring waltz, impressionism and complex melodic lines through lecture and demonstrations, guiding audiences into the musical world of the jazz piano poet.
Lecture 6: Kenny G
---------------------------------------------
Date: July 18 (Friday)
Kenny G is one of the most widely recognised jazz saxophonists of the 1990s. His works blend elements of traditional jazz, R&B (rhythm and blues) and pop music, and his instrumental piece "Songbird" has soared up the Billboard charts. The speakers will introduce how Kenny G's catchy melodies and expressive tones achieve commercial success, and his contribution to contemporary jazz music.
Lecture 7: Herbie Hancock
---------------------------------------------
Date: August 1 (Friday)
Jazz musician Herbie Hancock's musical style is a fusion of traditional jazz, funk, fusion jazz and electronic music elements, inspiring the next generation of musicians to explore and experiment in cross-genre musical combinations. Through live demonstrations, the speakers will elaborate how Hancock seamlessly integrates electronic textures with classical jazz that expands the possibilities of fusion jazz while presenting his personal charisma to audiences.
Lecture 8: Pat Metheny
---------------------------------------------
Date: August 8 (Friday)
Inspired by The Beatles, Pat Metheny developed a deep passion for the guitar. His affiliated group, the Pat Metheny Group, has been active in the jazz scene for over three decades, striving to blend different music genres and foster the diversity and popularity of jazz music. The speakers will introduce Metheny, one of the most outstanding jazz guitarists in the world today, by demonstrating his compositions that integrate folk, rock, world music and other elements.
Lecture 9: Miles Davis
---------------------------------------------
Date: August 15 (Friday)
Jazz trumpet legend Miles Davis emphasised improvisation in musical performance. His simple yet profound musical expression has inspired other musicians to explore the possibilities of improvisation. His music is a fusion of jazz, bebop, blues and other avant-garde elements. The speakers will revisit the musical journey of the jazz superstar and explore how his music shaped the genres that followed.
Lecture 10: Louis Armstrong
---------------------------------------------
Date: August 29 (Friday)
Louis Armstrong, the trumpeter and vocalist known as the "Father of Jazz", was one of the first artists to display individual improvisations on recordings. His classic "What a Wonderful World" brought jazz music to a wide audience. In the final lecture, the speakers will elaborate on Armstrong's contribution of integrating jazz elements into the pop music of his time, as well as the development of jazz music.
"Fountain de Chopin" was established in 2021 by local musicians dedicated to promoting local jazz development. The group focuses on organising small-scale performances, listening sessions, and improvisational concerts. Its core members include Bowen Li (pianist), Michael Chan (guitarist), Nelson Fung (bassist), Timothy Wan and Brian Cheung (saxophonists), Dean Li and Jason Wong (drummers). The group has also been invited to participate in various local music events, and has engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations with musicians.
All lectures will be conducted in Cantonese and will start at 7.30pm in the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum. Each lecture will run for about one hour and 30 minutes. Tickets priced at $120 (for each lecture, with free seating) are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2268 7321 or visitwww.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/CulturalService/Programme/en/music/programs_1835.html.
LCSD to hold "Jazz Appreciation from Legends" Lecture Demonstration Series from June to August Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
------------------------------
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Government's comprehensive follow-up actions
-----------------------------------------------------
Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
---------------------------------------------------------
The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:
carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.
The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
----------------------------------------------------
Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
read the label instructions carefully first;
apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
apply on exposed skin and clothing;
use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
