Borneo Jazz Festival to have best ever performers

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(From right) Angelina, Ik Pahon and Law present the line-up of the performers for the 10th edition of the Borneo Jazz Festival.

MIRI: The Borneo Jazz Festival which celebrates its 10th anniversary on May 8 and 9 promises not only the best ever performers’ lineup but also continue to generate economic spin-off and promotes the tourism industry.

Organiser, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) quoting Graham Stephenson, travel writer for Gold Coast Sun, Gold Coast Bulletin, Sunday Mail, and MX Escape said the total spin off from the event is projected at RM17-million.

According to STB corporate communications director Angelina Bateman of the total amount RM10-million alone comes from media value (print, electronic, radio, TV and bloggers).

“The organisation and running of the event was first class. The actual festival was excellent and presentation a credit to STB. This was a clean no nonsense professional event. The hotel grounds for the event and the size of the crowd were perfect,” said the report.

Angelina gave these details to reporters during a press conference with STB chief executive officer Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik and the general manager of Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri, Andrew Law on Thursday.

Angelina said they expected good turnout of festival goers during the forthcoming event adding that last year of the nearly 8,000 visitors, 53 per cent were working adults and about 30 per cent were non-Malaysians.

Borneo Jazz, supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia and Ministry of Tourism Sarawak and endorsed by Tourism Malaysia, has grown steadily since its first edition in 2006, going from 3,000 spectators to nearly 8,000 last year. This growth is a reflection of the success of the festival and the growing appeal of jazz enthusiasts around the region.

Meanwhile, Ik Pahon assured that the 10th edition of the festival will present the best ever performers’ lineup bringing back favorite performers from the past years from different countries.

They are Anthony Strong from United Kingdom, ‘Dirty Dozen Brass Band’ from New Orleans (USA) and Lluis Caloma from Spain,  ‘Jump 4 Joy’ of Sweden, ‘Me’ Blow – ‘Gimme The Boots’ (Germany), Sarawak’s very own jazz performer ‘Shafiee Obe and All The Best’, ‘The Doodaddis’ (Australia), and ‘The Nylons’ (Canada).

Tickets are priced at RM95 for an adult two-day entrance, RM50 for a single entrance and a family package of two adults and two children at RM100 and can be purchased at the festival’s entrance.

Tickets can also be purchased online via www.ticketcharge.com.my, and are available at Ticket Charge Call Centres, Ticket Charges in Kuala Lumpur and Penang offices as well as all Ticket Charge authorised outlets in the country.

Apart from enjoying the performances, festival goers will be able to enjoy a variety of local and international cuisine, purchase of souvenirs and local handicrafts to help the local business community to integrate and be a part of the event and contribute to the local economy.

The event is scheduled in May to coincide with May Fest – a month-long celebration and this year is also the 10th anniversary celebration of Miri City.

To encourage visitors to come and explore Miri and its tourist destinations like Mulu National Park – the only UNESCO World Heritage site in Sarawak, the organiser worked with various tour agencies to package the festival with a wide array of local product experiences.

The Nylons performing at the 8th edition of the Borneo Jazz Festival.