Golden Song

GOLDEN SONG is a multi-faceted music project celebrating the evolving history and existence of Cantonese popular music, known as ‘Cantopop.’ It was initiated by Cedric Chan and Jia Jia in 2023, a duo of musician and writer. The project narrates, reimagines and tells the Cantopop story, a quintessential local cultural ‘manifesto’ that gave Hong Kong its distinct character and identity since the 1960s. In the backdrop of Hong Kong’s renewed desire to preserve popular culture as part of a new wave of seeking local identity, this project echoes the period of twenty-five years after Hong Kong was handed over by Britain back to China in 1997. The notion of ‘preserving Cantopop,’ originating from academic theories in anthropology and sociology, has become society-wide ‘collective memory.’ The duo narrates their own stories within this grand narrative, bringing their personal sentiments and nostalgia, as well as reflections on their lives and deep connections with Hong Kong. Chan began his musical journey in 1998 when he began studying classical music at The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts while Jia Jia returned to Hong Kong after studying abroad to pursue his creative multiple endeavours. Golden Song is a piece of music jointly created by Chan and Jia Jia. Comprising of twenty-five minutes and five phases, the audience is drawn into a journey of re-discovering Cantopop of the past decades. Two of the phases are two ‘golden songs.’

Cedric Chan is a renowned Hong Kong musician, pianist, composer, arranger and music producer. His works include a range of styles, including classical, jazz and pop. Graduated from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2001, he was taught by one of Hong Kong’s notable pianist Nancy Loo. Since 2001, Chan has composed more than 50 Cantonese pop songs for famous singers, including Cass Phang, Eason Chan, Deep Ng and Kenny Kwan. He also composed Christian gospel songs for singers Agnes Chiang and Adia Chan. He has also co-founded various music projects, including being the pianist of the Hong Kong music group ‘Chuszemagic’ and the music director of the gospel band ‘Emmanuel.’

Jia Jia was born and raised in Hong Kong. He spent several years studying in England in the 1990s. At the age of twenty, Jia Jia’s first project was covered by several Hong Kong interior design journals, while his first article was published in International Property, a magazine based in England. After graduating from a reputable university in London, he has been engaged in different businesses and creative works related to real estate. His notable projects have been internationally recognised in books and documentaries, as well as exhibited in museums, including M+ in Hong Kong. Jia Jia has been involved in volunteering work for non-profit organisations, including being a director and co-founder. Passionate about art and culture, he attended talks and discussions as a speaker and moderator in universities and major events. He has written many published articles, including ones for a column in Capital Entrepreneur, a Hong Kong business magazine.