| Name: | China Wing Kantner Azdair (neé China Wing Kantner) |
| Born: | 25 January 1971, French Hospital, San Francisco, USA. |
| Spouse: | Long-term relationship with Nikhil Paniz (c1993-?) |
| Jamie Azdair (July/August 1999 - present) | |
| Children: | None, but has one step-son, Jamie, born c1990. |
Biography.
Daughter of Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship members Paul Kantner and Grace Slick. China first appeared as an infant on the sleeve of the Kantner/Slick 1971 solo LP "Sunfighter". In the early 80s, following the example of her mother, she began drinking heavily, before entering rehab at the age of 13! In July 1986, she appeared as a guest VJ on MTV, which led to her making regular appearances for the next four years during her school vacations. As an MTV VJ, she even had to interview her own father for the MTV "Summer of Love" 20th anniversary celebrations. She has also, over the years, made several contributions to the music of Jefferson Starship as both songwriter and singer. Despite this, she says that she has no real musical aspirations of her own, claiming that she cannot sing very well. She has also said that having well-known musicians for parents actually lost her several parts, as directors automatically assumed she is also musical. For personal reasons, she has now left acting to go back into education, and hopes to eventually become a teacher. She does, however, still make the occasional on-stage appearance with Jefferson Starship when they play shows in southern California.
Other Work.
Song writing co-credits
(All with Paul Kantner, "Out Of Control" also with Grace Slick.)
Jefferson Starship.
"Spitfire", (1976), "Don't Let It Rain".
"Freedom At Point Zero", (1980), "Things To Come".
"Winds Of Change", (1982), "Out Of Control".
Paul Kantner.
"The Planet Earth Rock And Roll Orchestra", (1983), "The Sky Is No Limit".
On-stage appearances singing with parents.
(Appearance with, venue, date, song(s) performed & notes)
Grace Slick, 7th Bay Area Music Awards, San Francisco, 2nd March 1984.
"All The Machines".
Jefferson Starship, Mile Square Park, Fountain Valley, CA, 25th October 1992.
Unknown songs.
Jefferson Starship, Bandshell, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, 25th September 1993.
"Volunteers".
Jefferson Starship, House Of Blues, Los Angeles, 21st January 1995.
"Wooden Ships" and "Volunteers".
Jefferson Starship, House Of Blues, Los Angeles, 2nd June 1996.
"The Other Side Of This Life".
Jefferson Starship, Glendale Street Party, Los Angeles, 22nd June 1996.
"Wooden Ships" plus others.
Jefferson Starship, House Of Blues, Los Angeles, 26th May 2000.
"Volunteers" plus encores.
Jefferson Starship, Galaxy Theatre, Anaheim, CA, 14th June 2001.
"Volunteers" (plus others?) - Broadcast as live webcast.
Jefferson Starship, Starlight Amphitheatre, San Diego, CA, 16th June 2001.
"Volunteers"
Jefferson Starship, Canyon Club, Augora Hills, CA, 3rd August 2001.
"Wooden Ships", "Volunteers".
Jefferson Starship, Centre for Performing Arts, Cerritos, CA, 6th September 2001.
(May have been 7th September? - Two shows played at this venue on consecutive days, but presently unclear which one featured China's appearance.)
Jefferson Starship, Arrowfest, Long Beach, CA, 29th September 2001.
"Wooden Ships", "We Can Be Together", "America The
Beautiful", "Volunteers".
Jefferson Starship, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA, 28th April 2002.
Unknown songs.
Jefferson Starship, Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA, 29th August, 2002.
Unknown songs.
Jefferson Starship, Love Ride 19, Glendale, CA, 10th November 2002.
"Somebody To Love" & "Volunteers".
Jefferson Starship, Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA, 11th July, 2003 (Early show).
"Wooden Ships".
Jefferson Starship, Santa Cruz Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA, 11th July, 2003 (Late show).
"Volunteers".
Jefferson Starship, Avalon Ballroom, San Francisco, CA, 12th July 2003.
"Volunteers".
Paul Kantner & Friends, Jenner Playhouse, Jenner, CA, 13th July 2003.
Unknown songs.
Jefferson Starship, Humphrey's Concerts On The Bay, San Diego, CA, 31st August, 2005.
Unknown songs.
Jefferson Starship.
"Deep Space/Virgin Sky", (1995),
"Wooden Ships".
(Uncredited on LP, Recording of 21 Jan 1995 House Of Blues show.)
General.
Hosted "Festival For The Animals", 1 June 1991, San Francisco Civic Centre.
Various stage plays in California.
Various MTV programmes, 1986-1990.
Presented a regular Saturday night radio show on KRQR-FM, c1990/91.
Appeared in the video for "The Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra", 1983.
Trivia.
According to Jefferson Airplane folklore, China only just escaped being named "god"
(with a small "g"), and that her parents decided that maybe they should go with something a little more conventional, and chose "China" instead. However, it's now commonly accepted by most people that the whole "god" thing was probably down to a nurse misunderstanding Grace's attempt at winding her up!!. Also, the fact that China had never at any point been called 'god' has been confirmed to me by China herself, via private e-mails, and also in person by Paul Kantner.
Although she now likes her name, she did at one time consider changing it to "Susie"
She has a younger half-brother, Alexander, who also appeared on "The Planet Earth Rock And Roll Orchestra", as well as an older half-brother, Gareth.
She studied for a psychology degree at Santa Monica College, and recently won a full scholarship to a prominant LA college.
She's currently studying Art History, hopes to eventually get a Ph.D. in the subject and would like to teach it in Italy at some point.
She's now step-mother to a 11 year old.
Agent's Address.
China Kantner,
c/o
Don Buchwald & Associates,
9229 Sunset Blvd,
Los Angeles,
CA 90069,
USA.
(Since she gave up acting, this address is probably defunct as far as contacting her goes, but you could still try it if you wanted to. If you manage to get a reply from this address, let me know, as I never have, even when she was working!)
If you have any information to add to this biography, feel free to e-mail me.