Jazz fest promises a fun musical experience

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THE annual Penang Jazz Festival is back for its eighth edition from Dec 1 to 4.

Speaking at a press conference recently, festival director Paul Augustin said the festival had gradually gained international recognition in the jazz and music industry.

“The objective has always been to create not just a concert but a musical experience with a number of supporting activities from workshops to fringe performances to exhibitions.

“The main focus of the festival is not only to entertain but also educate and hopefully inspire the younger generation and to enhance their creativity by listening to a wide variety of musical genres,” said Augustin.

Fine tunes: (From left) Augustin with artistes Liyana Fizi, Asmidar and Az Samad at the launch of the event.

He added that the Penang Island Jazz Festival and Jarasum International Jazz Festival in South Korea recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the purpose of establishing a collaboration between both festivals in terms of promoting tourism, sharing of culture and exchanging information and technology for the further development of both festivals.

“The festival serves as an introductory platform for both local and international musicians for other regional and international festivals,” he said in his speech.

Augustin added that a new addition to this year’s festival was “The Island Jazz Forum” with the topic of “Jazz — Beyond the Music” where a panel comprising international jazz journalists and a festival director discuss and share on the “unseen” creative role of jazz in contributing to social community issues, creative economy and promoting global harmony.

The “Jazz By The Beach” main stage performances on Dec 3 and 4 will feature a total of 12 local and foreign groups in the gardens of the Bayview Beach Resort, Batu Ferringhi, Penang. Each night will feature six performances.

The foreign performers for this year’s Festival are Shakatak (the UK), Ulf & Eric Wakenius — Father and Son (Sweden), Yuri Honing Wired Paradise (Netherlands), Espen Eriksen Trio (Norway), Nina Van Horn (France/the US/Spain), Michaela Rabitsch & Robert Pawlik Trio (Austria/India), Rio Sidik Quartet (Indonesia), Eva Bjerga Haugen (Norway), Jiyoung Lee Quartet (Korea) and Rusconi (Switzerland).

Representing Malaysia at the festival are Fred Cheah and The Jazzhats (Penang) and Amir Yussof Acoustic Project.

Other activities include workshops, Fringe Stage Spot Appearances, Sundown @ TSG, Creative Malaysia Showcase, BatuJazz Spins, and the “Jazz With A Heart” charity dinner.

For details, visit www.penangjazz.com or call 03-2093 4725.

Tickets for the “Jazz By The Beach” main stage performances on Dec 3 and 4 are priced at RM63 per day (inclusive of RM3 ticketing fee).

Tickets are on sale now at TicketPro venues.

For tickets online purchases and enquiry, call TicketPro hotline at 03–7880 7999 or visit www.ticketpro.com.my.