The Peace Hotel Jazz Band - Shanghai

The Fairmont Peace Hotel Jazz Band. Shanghai. You could close your eyes and instantly be anywhere. For me, this was purely Chicago, but the old woman dancing with her hundred kuai drink surely had more stories than I. Six men, who average in age to about 85, with their trumpet player, the oldest at 97. This place supposedly became known as simply "The Jazz Bar" from the 1930's on. The band have been playing together since 1980, since China "lifted the ban" on jazz music. No idea what local kids think of this, but hugging the Bund area, it's a solid one-two punch of a night. If ever in Shanghai, skip some other tourist trap, and go here. Oh, and they make a pretty solid "Old Fashioned." 🕺💃