 |
| David Gomes and Junji Delfino jazzing up a duet at the first show of the JB Jazz Fest last night |
The
much anticipated inaugural JB Jazz Festival kicked off with a media preview of
some of the exciting acts in the star-studded lineup for a taste of what to
expect in the Jazz Fest. Held at the
Grand Ballroom of DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru, the event was graced by Her
Royal Highness, YAM Tunku Aminah Sultan Ibrahim, the Royal Patron of the Johor
Society for the Performing Arts (JSPA).
In her
opening address, she commended the JSPA for organising the JB Jazz Fest, the
first in a series of festivals under the Johor Baru: International Festival
City (JB:IFC) initiative. She also
congratulated them for bringing together a good mix of local, regional and
international jazz artistes to perform in the festival.
 |
| The Royal Patron of JSPA flanked by JSPA founder Yap Siong Cheng [2nd from Left] and Tourism Johor Director, Dr Haji Badrul Hisham Kassim [2nd from Right] at the event |
Director
of Tourism Johor, Dr Haji Badrul Hisham Kassim, is proud that the JB Jazz Fest
coincides with the 20th World Kite Festival held at Bukit
Layang-Layang, just a 30-minute drive from the city. He hoped that the jazz artistes who visited
the Kite Fest that day had an enjoyable experience. As more festivals are lined up for the year,
he said visitors to JB can look forward to enjoy a host of attractions for
family fun, urban lifestyle and heritage sites in the city.
The
festivals planned for this year include the JB Classical Music Festival (May 1
– 3), the Unity Drums Festival featuring JB’s own 24 Festive Drums (June 5 –
6), the first ever JB Film Festival (June 11 – 13), the 12th JB Arts
Fest with Fringe Festival (Sept 10 – Oct 9) and the JB Food and Visual Arts
Festival from October to December 2015.
 |
| From US, Steve Thornton [Right] will perform with Malaysian jazz star, Razak Rahman, winner of Bakat TV at the tender age of 12 |
“The
JB:IFC perfectly complements the government’s initiative in promoting the
Malaysia Year of Festivals (MYFest) 2015,” said founder of JSPA and organiser
of the JB Arts Fest, Yap Siong Cheng.
“In the last 12 years, the JB Arts Fest has grown in size and stature
while the city of Johor Baru, driven by Iskandar Malaysia, has also grown
rapidly,” he added.
He said
JB:IFC is important because as the city expands its local and international
reach, so must it continue to embrace and promote the arts as well as showcase
the rich, historical culture of Johor and Malaysia to its many residents and
visitors.
In the 4-day JB Jazz Fest from Feb 26 to March 1, connoisseurs of jazz in JB will have a real
treat to experience the different styles presented by the artistes. For more info and tickets, please contact Tel:
6019 – 713 9900 or email: jbartsfest@hotmail.com
 |
| The Mezzotono Show are five voices from Italy who will perform acapella |
 |
| Don't miss the live performances every night from Feb 26 to 28, with a Sunday Brunch Jazz show on March 1 at DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru |
/pl
No comments:
Post a Comment