VA - NOW'S THE TIME: AN ANTHOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY CHINESE JAZZ VOLUME 1 (2026) [Hi-Res]

Blue Note Records China, the newly established jazz label under Universal Music Greater China, has announced the upcoming release of its new compilation album, NOW’S THE TIME: AN ANTHOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY CHINESE JAZZ [Vol. 1], which will be released on October 23. The compilation brings together three acclaimed producers: Don Was, President of Blue Note Records and Grammy Award-winning producer; Zhang Yadong, one of China’s most celebrated music producers; and Ren Yuqing, a leading figure in Chinese jazz scene and founder of JZ Music.

NOW’S THE TIME is a showcase of some of the most forward-thinking voices in China’s contemporary jazz landscape. Bringing together diverse artistic expressions, the compilation highlights the broad spectrum and evolving identity of Chinese jazz today. Serving as the opening track of the compilation, “Arc Light” is performed by Red Hand Band and composed by the band’s pianist and core member, Xia Jia. Xia has been praised by esteemed jazz critic Nate Chinen (New York Times, NPR), who described his improvisations as “soulful, harmonically forward and marked by painterly restraint.”