Dream Improvisation: An Interview with Coco Zhao

Abstract

As one of the relatively few Chinese singers on the international jazz circuit, Coco Zhao (Zhao Ke) has garnered much attention and acclaim in the last few years. His performances have been acclaimed for their blending of Eastern and Western musical styles. This interview explores the social and historical contexts for Zhao's performance, his views on contemporary music cultures in China, his reception in the West, his understanding of how sexuality intersects with improvisation, and how questions of identity animate his career and creativity.