The name Chez Trente (French for “at thirty”) pays homage to the historical 30 houses neighbourhood – roughly encompassing what is today SoHo – and to the area’s tong lau (Chinese shophouses), built between 1948 and 1958.
Growing up in Hong Kong, Lung discovered his love for music through rock ’n’ roll. Like many young people in the 1990s, he listened to bands like Metallica and Radiohead, whose music transported him to new worlds.
Soon enough, he discovered jazz and met some friends who had just come to Hong Kong from a music institute in Los Angeles. They were missing a drummer and he joined their band as the only local member.
Over the course of 20 years in the industry, he has formed lifelong bonds and continues to be an advocate for the next generation of jazz musicians in Hong Kong.
“At a certain age, you realise you cannot always stay in front of the stage. Even though I was not a ‘top player’, I was lucky enough to play with some very talented players and even got to step on some really big stages,” Lung says.
Lung opened Chez Trente in 2018 as a place to foster a community of musicians and artists. On the walls hang works by Hong Kong artists to whom he hopes to give greater visibility.
We’ve built friendships and started working together. So that’s the best part
The space is inviting and centres around a performance area where instruments stand ready to be played at any time.
Amid hard times, Lung’s passion for jazz and supporting the next generation of musicians is what kept Chez Trente running.
Despite the challenges, Lung is committed to providing opportunities for young people to connect with professional musicians – not just seeing them play, but also being able to have conversations with them after shows.
“Letting them see each other is important,” Lung says. He believes that this exchange is what makes shows special.
According to Lung, jazz is more popular now than ever. When he first started playing, there were not many Hong Kong jazz musicians and the scene mostly involved more experienced foreigners.
When asked about the difference between learning jazz in Hong Kong versus overseas, Lung notes the inspiration he got from musicians returning from the US.
He stresses the importance of the “jam session” – where jazz musicians come together to collaborate and exchange ideas, playing off of each other’s styles. It is this exchange of ideas and cross-cultural collaboration that fuels Chez Trente’s community.
Chez Trente is constantly evolving and searching for new ways to connect the Hong Kong community with music.
Lung describes the event as “crazy and chaotic in a good way”. Although it initially ran into unexpected obstacles – such as not having enough toilets, and logistical issues with getting drinks loaded on the ferry – the unique sea setting and genuine enthusiasm from all those involved made the event worthwhile.
After receiving positive feedback, Lung decided to bring the festival back for a second time this year on August 24, at The Trilogy nightclub in Central.
Trilogy, which occupies the top floor and rooftop of an office building, has three spaces including a speakeasy bar on top of the main club.
Lung hopes to transform the nightclub into a main stage and the rooftop into an acoustic one, with a total capacity of about 500 people.
This year’s event will feature eight hours of live music from more than 10 Hong Kong independent jazz bands, including Jerold and Friends, Alonso Gonzalez, and The Kowloon Swing Outfit, as well as an after party with a live DJ set.
The main stage will host the larger bands, with the speakeasy hosting the more intimate jazz performances. There will also be a silent disco, stand-up comedy and drag acts.
Like the jazz bar itself, details of the Music Fest have mostly spread through word of mouth.
Early bird tickets for the event are on sale now for HK$420, after which entry will cost HK$580.
Lung says he feels lucky to be a part of the event and to have a place in the jazz community in Hong Kong. Reflecting on the highlights of his career so far, he says he is proud of “connecting people that would not usually meet”.
“I see a lot of people that may not have really been working out as musicians or other things, but because we stay in the same space long enough, eventually we’ve built friendships and started working together. So that’s the best part, I think,” he says.
Chez Trente may be a challenge to find, but Lung guarantees there will always be a place there for those who try.
Chez Trente, Basement, 39 Staunton St, Central, tel: 6771 9219; The Trilogy, 26/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central, tel: 6086 9045. Chez Trente Music Fest Vol. 2 tickets available online from Eventbrite.