Shanghai Jazz was opened in the summer of 1995 by David Niu and Martha Chang. While studying in a doctorate program, Martha did extensive research on 1920s Shanghai. During that tumultuous period globally, Shanghai was a destination for those looking to escape the depression in America, the rise of fascism in Eastern Europe, and the penal colonies in Australia, among many other difficult situations around the world at that time. With myriad different cultures flooding into the city, the cuisines evolved, a dark and violent vein sprouted, and an incredible music scene developed and jazz was the genre that kept folks swinging in the clubs!

With this as inspiration, Shanghai Jazz was born. David and Martha drove this unique concept for 22 years and counting as one of the “Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World” (Downbeat Magazine).