Panjir are a Beijing-based instrumental quintet who combine jazz sensibilities with Uyghur music, the Persian and Arabic influenced genre from the North-West of China. A tradition with over 2000 years of history, Uyghur music has links with Arabic, Persian, Indian and Chinese music, and is at once complex, beautiful and emotional. Panjir adds an element of improvisation, taking the music beyond the strongly codified tradition, and creating forward motion in the music for the first time for many years.
British guitarist David Mitchell founded the group with his good friend, acoustic guitarist Akbar Abliz, himself an Uyghur from China’s Xinjiang region. Their self-titled debut CD is composed of traditional Uyghur pieces to which they re-introduce an improvisational element. David is a Berklee School of Music-educated player, now Professor of Guitar at the Beijing Institute of Contemporary Music. Akbar is a self-taught prodigy who is one of China’s most sought-after session musicians. The third key member of the group is Mahmoud Mehmet, who plays lutes native to Central Asia.
Please see the ‘Upcoming Events’ box on the right of our web page for their next performance. Seen them play before? Please give them a star rating below. Post your reviews in the comments.
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Wind ShadoW (L’Ombre du Vent) are a French electro-pop band, working with smooth programming and flying voices. Their influences come from such famous electronic bands as Air, Massive Attack and Lamb. Other influences are Radiohead, Bjork and traditional world music. Formed in October 2006 by Aurélie Jung a singer/songwriter and Eric Lattanzio a composer/producer, they met during their travels in China, and now both teach at the famous Chinese contemporary music and arts school, the BCMA. After much exploration, the band’s first song, “Sorry” marked the beginning of their repertoire, mixing original compositions with arrangements of well known Chinese, French, English and American songs.
Please see the ‘Upcoming Events’ box on the right of our web page for their next performance. Seen them play before? Please give them a star rating below. Post your reviews in the comments.
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This Chinese quartet play traditional Irish folk songs and will transport you to the Emerald Isle for a great evening of uplifting music! Also enjoy pints of Guinness for only 40 RMB! Free Entry.
Please see the ‘Upcoming Events’ box on the right of our web page for their next performance. Seen them play before? Please give them a star rating below. Post your reviews in the comments.
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After a week of last minute nightmares (I won’t go into details but plumbing issues were to blame!), we are pleased to announce that this Friday we are finally hosting are opening party!
Please come down for a great evening of live music, discount drinks, free canapes and general mayhem!
About Ginkgo
Ginkgo is a restaurant and bar located on Andingmen Nei Da Jie in Beijing, China. We offer delicious mediterranean cuisine upstairs and great drinks, coffee, wifi and live music events downstairs.
Panjir are a Beijing-based instrumental quintet who combine jazz sensibilities with Uyghur music, the Persian and Arabic influenced genre from the North-West of China. A tradition with over 2000 years of history, Uyghur music has links with Arabic, Persian, Indian and Chinese music, and is at once complex, beautiful and emotional. Panjir adds an element of improvisation, taking the music beyond the strongly codified tradition, and creating forward motion in the music for the first time for many years.
