Hailing from Los Angeles but based in Shanghai, guitarist Lawrence Ku is a fixture of China’s jazz and pop scenes. Ku’s genre-crossing style graces the work of artists from neo-soul enthusiast TIA RAY to minimalist folk singer Chen Li—and, most notably, superstar Karen Mok’s crossover jazz album Somewhere I Belong. As a composer and band leader, he heads The Red Groove Project, which also serves as the backing band for pop vocalist Shunza.