Here at KungFuMagazine.com, we’ve covered the confluence between music and martial arts extensively. We’ve examined the connection between Hip Hop and Kung Fu, particularly with the Wu-Tang Clan, and even put the RZA on our cover twice: NOV+DEC 2012. We’ve looked at the classical symphonic connection with Tan Dun’s Martial Trilogy, explored the EDM connection Laidback Luke and the Kung Fu of EDM, got the funk Kung Fu – The Band, Not the Martial Art, and even reasoned with Bob Marley’s son for Ziggy Marley on MARLEY and the Shaolin Rasta. But we haven’t tuned into the jazz connection yet. Not until now.

Shaolin Jazz was founded by Gerald Watson and DJ 2-Tone Jones. They label themselves as a music based cultural company that produces multimedia engagements that explore the resonance between Jazz and Hip Hop culture, alongside martial arts. In 2011, 2-Tone mixed a cappella tracks from Wu-Tang Clan with legendary jazz instrumentals. The result was an instant cult classic The 37^th Chamber.

Shaolin Jazz has embarked on an ongoing presentation dubbed CAN I KICK IT? These are screenings of classic and contemporary martial arts and action films, scored live – scene-by-scene – with a jazz fusion of hip hop, soul, funk, rock, and more. “This isn’t just playing a DJ set during a movie,” explains 2-Tone. “We incorporate the music with the movie so you can still follow the plot and hear the dialogue. You might have one scene using a song with lyrics and another using instrumental beds underneath. It’s weaving music over and under the film audio, just scoring the film, scene by scene.” Previously Shaolin Jazz has screened films such as KILL BILL, FIVE ELEMENT NINJAS, MASTER OF THE FLYING GUILLOTINE, SHOGUN ASSASSIN, KICKBOXER, and SHAOLIN MANTIS, just to name a few. On Saturday October 18, Shaolin Jazz revisits a timeless classic that they live-streamed in 2020, ENTER THE DRAGON.

We chatted with Shaolin Jazz about their upcoming gig CAN I KICK IT? Featuring ENTER THE DRAGON.

GC: We've covered the connection between Hip Hop and martial arts a lot. Is the connection between Jazz and martial arts any different?

SJ: There are definitely a range of similarities that exist between the two such as improvisation, there being different styles, fluidity between playing and movement in martial arts, the jazz musician and the martial artist connecting to their form on a spiritual level, honing ones instrument: musical instrument and one’s body, also learning by watching and listening for jazz and learning by watching for martial arts, and of course the discipline of practice to perform at the highest levels.

GC: What inspired you to take on doing a live score to ENTER THE DRAGON?

SJ: Although we've scored many other martial arts titles, this one in particular was a must. It's hands down the most iconic and influential martial arts movie ever made. Plus, in comparison to some of the other earlier Golden Harvest and Shaw Bros. titles we've featured the overall quality of ENTER THE DRAGON is superior. The cool style and charisma of both Bruce Lee and Jim Kelly pairs perfectly with the music we incorporate into the live score. This is easily one of our top-10 titles that we feature at CAN I KICK IT? events. 

GC: How many times have you seen ENTER THE DRAGON?

SJ: Too many to count.

GC: I feel ya. What is your favorite quote from that film?

SJ: Williams’ (Jim Kelly) line: “Man, you come right out of a comic book” followed by "Suddenly I'd like to leave your island".

GC: Lalo Schifrin laid down such an iconic soundtrack for ENTER THE DRAGON – how is it for you to work those musical themes in a live setting?

SJ: Schifrin's soundtrack actually pairs very well with the music we add to the film, and in a number of scenes we keep the original music as is; mainly because the original score was pretty dope. We even slide in a few hip-hop tracks that reference the film or include samples from the original soundtrack, so it all fits perfectly.   

GC: Do either of you practice martial arts?

SJ: No, we don’t.

GC: Well, maybe jazz is a martial art unto itself.  What else is in the queue for CAN I KICK IT?  What other martial arts films do you want to do live scores for?

SJ: Tons, but a short list is: NINJA ASSASSIN, BUDDHA’S PALM, SNAKE FIST OF A BUDDHIST DRAGON, ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN, and CLAN OF THE WHITE LOTUS.  

CAN I KICK IT? Featuring ENTER THE DRAGON will happen on Saturday October 15, 2022 at Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess Street, Wilmington, North Carolina. Local food truck, On Thyme Catering will be on-site from 4-7 PM with Afro-Asian inspired cuisine. Jengo’s Playhouse bar and concessions will also be open. DJ Bigg B of Coast 97.3FM will play a special DJ set from 5-5:50PM, followed by a Karate demonstration for Sensei David Ward of Seiran Dojo. ENTER THE DRAGON with a live music soundtrack by Shaolin Jazz will begin at 6 PM.

ENTER THE DRAGON is rated R and is not suitable for young viewers.