Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai saw a renewal of a collaboration contract signed on Sunday in Shanghai, aiming to cultivate more Chinese jazz talent and further promote jazz culture on the global stage.

Co-founded by the Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York and the Shanghai Bund Investment Development (Group) Co Ltd in 2017, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Shanghai has staged over 2,000 shows in the past seven years, according to the center.

Drawing thousands of audiences from across China and the world and sending local musicians to the global stage, the center in Shanghai is playing a prominent role in promoting cultural exchanges and popularizing jazz culture to both Chinese and global audiences.

The collaboration between the two sides dates back to 2015 when they began to host concerts to cultivate jazz audiences across China and bring people together for communications with jazz music as the link.

"Music is a universal language. Jazz, born in New Orleans and Louisiana in America, has become a global music. Jazz is modern and very consistent. Especially at this time in history, the opportunity to communicate through music — this ancient common tradition that we all share is very important in this time. We look forward to working with our partners in Shanghai," said Greg Scholl, executive director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

During the signing ceremony, Scholl also released the Shanghai center's new program this season. A total of 100 shows will be staged in the new season, with renowned performers including jazz stars Emmet Cohen, Ted Rosenthal, Jeff Lorber, Patrick Bartley and more. Besides, the center in Shanghai is set to explore further integration of jazz music and Chinese musical elements, as well as more collaboration with academies and institutions.

"Shanghai has the tradition of jazz music. It is touching to see all the different fantastic musicians play here and the young people got educated, embraced and fitted here in the community," said Wynton Marsalis, managing and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

It is also worth noting that Marsalis, a nine-time Grammy Award winner and jazz trumpet master, has just released a new album The Shanghai Suite on Oct 25. Working with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, The Shanghai Suite is a nine-movement musical meditation celebrating China's rich culture, exploring jazz as a medium for transcultural exchange.

"China is such a large place with a rich and deep history, as well as so many different types of people. They bring innovations and ideas. There is a lot that can be learned here," said Marsalis.