Shanghai Jazz

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David Niu and Martha Chang opened Shanghai Jazz in summer of 1995. While studying in a doctorate program, Martha did extensive research on 1920’s 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, 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. Downbeat Magazine now lists it as one of the “Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World”.

In the summer of 2017, Shanghai Jazz was passed on to Thomas Donohoe. He had a 29 year career in hospitality, and for 18 of those years he was a chef. Thomas Donahoe led award winning kitchens from New Jersey to Montana, Florida, and New York City. He trained with some of the best chefs in the world including Thomas Keller, at the French Laundry in Yountville, CA, Jonathan Waxman at Barbuto in NYC, and Bill Pete at Café des Artistes, also in NYC. Throughout his career, Tom has been focused on and committed to providing exquisite dining experiences to all his guests.

Now, Tom and Shanghai Jazz’s team of culinary and hospitality professionals carry on the tradition. A collective passion to bring good people together with world-class live music, great food, and gracious hospitality to create an exceptionally fun dining experience drives them.