some great chinese artists (there is a lot):
Li Jinhui
Li Minghui
George Njal
Nie Er
Wang Renmei
Tian Han
there were a huge jazz scene in the beginning of the last century also.
as is it hard to get the artists name transcrived ( in our occidental alphabet)
the best way is to by an excellent book about chinese music called : yellow music by andrew F. jones. wich cver the traditionnal music to the end of the 21° century in musical terms. there is a lot of references ( well i suppose, the greatest artists).
but if you want to dig some deeper things. there is my little tips ( it works sometimes, not that often) go take a dinner in a crappy chinese restaurant (pick a dusty one), there is often some old and wisdom chinese man, and they are always willing to talk ( grandpa's are often cool and talkative). ask about what they used to listen when they were in china. it is often interresting. once an old guy gave me a couple of vinyl he gots. that was pretty cool.
anyway good luck
chil'
