Japanese Bossa Nova singer Lisa Ono will stage a concert in Shanghai's Fuxing Park on May 2 to kick off the Shanghai International Jazz Week.

Ono will perform in a 1,900-seat tent specially built for the Jazz Week.

"The tickets range from 180 (US$23) to 880 yuan and we have received many booking calls including one from a Japanese group of fans," said Xu Yong from Shanghai East Entertainment Company, which is organizing both the concert and Jazz Week.

Xu said Ono will bring a 14-piece team for the concert including her nine-piece band.

"She's an easy-going star who hasn't asked for unusual treatment but only five-star hotel accommodation and business class flight," Xu said.

Lisa Ono is the undisputed queen of Japan's thriving Bossa Nova scene. Born in Sao Paulo and raised in Japan, Ono was musically influenced by her father, a bossa nova fan who at one time managed the legendary Baden Powell and owned music clubs in both Brazil and Japan.

She has released records almost every year since her debut album Catupiry in 1989.

Her 1991 album Nana received Japan's "Grand Prix Gold Disk Award for Jazz."

 
(CRI.cn March 1, 2007)