Leon Lee to Open Jazz Club YUE FU in Early June

Leon Lee, who has brought Beijing award-winning cocktail venues like Apothecary and Janes & Hooch, will open a 75-seat live jazz venue in early June, called YUE FU, he announced Friday night on his Facebook page.

Lee, who had also served as the program curator of the Post Mountain Music & Art Festival, wrote "The joint is called 'YUE FU - Jazz Club & Tasting Room' and it has 75 capacity (Cabaret-style seating) presenting two sets: 8pm and 10pm each night."

The venue will feature performances by top jazz names. "I've spent an obscene amount of time to ensure we're a musician's venue with a great sound system capable of 32-track digital recording, full wash LED stage lighting, good acoustics, a professional baby grand, a stunning vintage Gretsch four-piece kit, a concert-quality double bass with really fine amplifiers." Yeah, what he said.

The post did not specify YUE FU's location, but referred to the "four-star hotel below us," so we'll assume it's on the top floor of a four-star hotel or on a high-floor of a building with a four-star hotel in it. Regardless, we're looking forward to checking it out. With the exception of East Shore Jazz Cafe and CJW, Beijing is pretty light on jazz venues, and YUE FU will be a welcome addition.

Photo: Courtesy of Leon Lee