Shanghai Must-Do: Old Jazz Band at the Fairmont Peace Hotel

In a city that has evolved so much and so fast, there is one Shanghai institution where time stands still — The Jazz Bar at the Fairmont Peace Hotel on the Bund.

It is renowned for hosting the Old Jazz Band, an ensemble that holds the Guinness World Record for “The World’s Oldest Jazz Band.” And when they say oldest, they mean by seniority — the average age is 82. And you know what? They still got it!

The Old Jazz Band, Jazz Bar, Peace Hotel Shanghai

It’s a fantastic experience. The wow effect is real. It’s an absolute must-try for Shanghai residents and tourists alike and here’s why.

The Jazz Bar

Step into a living relic of Shanghai’s Golden Age.

Built in 1929 as the Cathay Hotel, the Fairmont Peace Hotel remains the crown jewel of the Bund. Originally a British-style bar named The Horse & Hound, the Jazz Bar was once the gathering place for Shanghai’s elite. This was the Jazz Age, when Shanghai pulsed with music, money, and glamorous energy.

Little has changed over the years. The bar retains its weathered charm, with heavy Art Deco furniture, scuffed wooden floors, and bulky stone pillars framing the space.

A long bar serves drinks while memorabilia — photos of dignitaries, old band portraits, and glimpses of the hotel’s storied past — adorn the walls. Notable guests have included Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Justin Trudeau, among many others.

The Old Jazz Band: Shanghai’s Living Legends

Formed in 1980, the six-member Old Jazz Band plays seven nights a week, dressed in bowties and suits, holding the place together with one sultry, wheezy note after another.

A poster for “As Time Goes By,” a 2010 documentary by German filmmaker Uli Gaulke.

Retired from the Shanghai Symphony and other prestigious ensembles, these men have played for Presidents and jazz lovers from every corner of the globe. They’ve toured over 20 countries and even played the North Sea Jazz Festival — an event that inspired the award-winning documentary As Time Goes By, a tribute to their legacy.

“Through music we achieve a shared emotional connection – whether it’s collective nostalgia or creating lasting memories,” says saxophonist and band manager Xiao Xueqiang, a 30-year veteran of the ensemble.

“Sometimes when we play some really nostalgic classics, some of our guests are moved to tears. It can be a very emotional experience for some who are reliving or remembering their youth.”

Their style blends Western jazz with Chinese folk and traditional music — a unique “haipai” (Shanghai-style) sound. With trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, trombone, piano, double bass, and drums, they play with a nostalgic, smoky elegance.

The first session tends to be mellow and plays into the nostalgia of the era with slow swaying music like “The Bund” (上海滩) leading the tempo.

In the second session, the music evolves into a livelier set, where the band even interacts with guests, and according to Mr. Xiao, when people have also been known to hit the dance floor. The band somes even takes song requests.

They may not be the most talented jazz band in the world, but they’re certainly the most fascinating.