Jeff Lorber, one of the most influential names in fusion jazz, returns to the stage with a powerhouse quartet bringing together funk, smooth jazz, and modern jazz energy in one tight, groove-driven live set. With decades of Grammy-recognized work and a reputation for electrifying live performances, the show leans into rich improvisation, layered textures, and seriously addictive rhythms.

About the Performance

Jeff Lorber Quartet brings together decades of fusion jazz evolution into a focused live format led by one of the genre’s defining pioneers. Jeff Lorber, a Grammy Award-winning keyboardist and composer, has spent nearly 50 years shaping the sound of contemporary jazz, blending funk, R&B, rock, and electronic influences into a distinctive urban jazz language.

From his early work in the 1970s—including collaborations with Chick Corea and the landmark album Water Sign—to later success on Blue Note Records and his Grammy-winning Prototype, Lorber’s musical journey reflects constant experimentation and refinement. His work has also influenced mainstream music, with elements of his compositions sampled by major pop artists.

On stage, the quartet format allows Lorber’s signature keyboard work to interact closely with the rhythm section, creating a dynamic space for improvisation, groove, and interplay. The result is a performance rooted in jazz tradition but driven by a modern, club-like energy.

Performers

Jeff Lorber – Piano / Keyboard

A leading figure in fusion jazz and one of the architects of the smooth jazz movement.

• 2018 Grammy Award winner for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (Prototype)
• 7-time Grammy nominee
• Early collaborator with Chick Corea
• Founder of Jeff Lorber Fusion
• Known for blending funk, R&B, rock, and jazz into a modern fusion sound
• Over 40 albums released under his name
• Pioneering influence in the commercialization and evolution of contemporary jazz

Saxophone: Li Shihai

One of China’s most prominent jazz saxophonists, composer, and educator.

• JZ Music signed artist
• Selmer Paris saxophone artist
• D’Addario and Ted Klum artist endorsement
• Master’s degree in Jazz Saxophone from New England Conservatory
• Bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Conservatory of Music
• Winner of multiple JZ Awards including Best New Artist and Best Live Performance
• Professor at Nanjing University of the Arts and Shanghai Conservatory of Music

Bass: Fred

Electric bassist from Mauritius with a strong rhythmic background.

• Performs jazz, Latin, fusion, and Sega traditional music
• Began performing professionally at age 14
• Active in China’s live music scene since 2007

Drums: Jair Mayorga

Venezuelan drummer and classical percussionist with international touring experience.

• Trained in both classical and contemporary percussion
• Performed with major orchestras and international jazz/fusion artists
• Extensive touring experience across Asia since 2013
• Worked with Jeff Lorber in 2024–2025 performances

Special Guest: Zhu Mang

Jazz pianist and keyboardist trained in China and Europe.

• Graduate of Shanghai Conservatory of Music
• Master’s degree from Prince Claus Conservatory (Netherlands)
• Studied under Jasper Soffers and Marc Van Roon
• Collaborated with international jazz artists including Nils Landgren and Alex Han
• Experience performing and studying in New York with leading contemporary jazz pianists

Why Go

This performance offers a rare chance to experience one of fusion jazz’s most influential figures in an intimate quartet setting, where groove, improvisation, and musicianship take center stage. Jeff Lorber’s music sits at the intersection of jazz sophistication and rhythmic accessibility, making it appealing to both dedicated jazz listeners and newcomers drawn to live instrumental energy.

The combination of international musicians from different jazz traditions also gives the performance a cross-cultural dynamic, where funk, Latin rhythms, and modern jazz language meet in real time. It is a live set built around interaction, spontaneity, and musical conversation rather than fixed arrangements.