After a packed concert at Blue Note Beijing in 2017, one of the most coveted jazz live venues in town, blues harmonica maestro Sugar Blue returned on the last weekend of April with two nights of dazzling performances.

At the age of 69, the Grammy-winning blues harmonica master presented two unforgettable nights, featuring pieces that represented his birthplace New York City of the U.S., France, where he built his career, and the cradle of blues – Chicago. 

Dubbed the "Jimi Hendrix of harmonica," Blue has worked with many important figures of the golden era, including Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon and the Rolling Stones.

Blue captivated the audience with his intoxicating skills, passion, and power. He says music is all about life experience.

"Blues, like I guess, like all kinds of music, is a lived experience. The joy, the pain and the life experience that you go through is translated through your instrument, through your body, through your mind. It is one thing to be able to technically communicate. But, to be able to communicate your sense of feeling, your life expressions, that's something that is very particular and there are a lot of great technicians but there are very few great artists," Sugar Blue said.

Blue, who made his debut in China with a show at Blue Note Beijing two years ago, said the Chinese fans are "warm, enthusiastic and knowledgeable" and that he finds the country inspiring. And more than that, he has fallen in love with the Chinese culture and the Sheng, the Chinese reed pipe.

"The Sheng is one of the first free-swinging reed instruments ever created. It's thousands of years old. And the Europeans copied the principle and from the Sheng they created the harmonica, saxophone, and clarinet," Blue said.

Blue is traveling with his family. His wife, Ilaria Lantieri Blue plays bass in his band and his five-year-old son James is studying hard to become a drummer.

"I want from him that anything he wants for himself. I hope that he will inspire to be the best little man that he can possibly be. And anything that he loves, I will try to help him achieve that," Sugar Blue said.

Sugar Blue is working on a new album called "Colors," in which he's collaborating with a Chinese Sheng master.