THE OLDNESS OF JAZZ IN CHINA: HOW YELLOW MUSIC TURNED INTO A JAZZ REVIVAL.

Abstract

This study investigates the historical evolution and contemporary revival of Jazz in China, focusing on the transformation of yellow music and the mediating role of the oldness of Jazz. Jazz, initially imported into Shanghai during the early 20th century, was adapted into hybrid forms that merged Western rhythms with Chinese melodic and cultural elements, giving rise to yellow music. While the genre symbolised cosmopolitan modernity, it was also subjected to moral scrutiny, political suppression, and gendered social constraints, which collectively shaped public perception and cultural memory. Drawing upon ten key studies, this review synthesises historical, sociological, educational, and ethnomusicological perspectives, highlighting both continuities and divergences in scholarship. Findings reveal that educational initiatives, cross-cultural composition, and formal pedagogical practices have facilitated Jazz revival, while social and political structures have historically mediated its accessibility and legitimacy. A unique insight emerging from this synthesis is the conceptualisation of the oldness of Jazz as a reservoir of historical memory, cultural nostalgia, and creative potential, mediating the transformation of yellow music into contemporary Jazz practices. This article argued that the revival of Jazz in China is not merely a musical phenomenon but a culturally negotiated process, reflecting the interplay of history, social norms, and creative innovation. By linking historical suppression with modern reinterpretation, the study positions yellow music as both a foundation and a catalyst for China’s Jazz revival, offering a nuanced understanding of the intersections between past and present musical identities.