At Taihu, Liu Wenwen's suona will be heard in a way that challenges expectations, blending East and West, tradition and innovation, in a musical conversation that feels both timeless and contemporary.

The Red Groove Project, led by Lawrence Ku, returns to the festival this year for its third performance. Ku, who founded the band in 2005, reflects on the band's growth and the festival's transformation over the years. "The Red Groove Project has had an incredible run. We celebrated our 20th anniversary last year with a fantastic tour, and the evolution of the band has been such a learning experience. Some of the original members have been with us from the very beginning, and many incredible musicians have joined over the years. It's an honor to bring my music to life with them," he says.

This year's set will draw from earlier albums, Flow and Proper Up!, alongside new material from an upcoming third release. Ku also points to the festival's growing stature. "It's been amazing to see how the festival has developed into a world-class event. The audience here is so passionate and supportive, and we're thrilled to be returning thanks to them."

On what keeps him anchored in jazz, Ku keeps it simple: "For me, playing jazz is like having dinner with your closest friends and family. There's such a deep connection when you play with musicians you love, and that's what makes jazz so special. It's about the freedom, the conversation, and the trust."