An estimated 2,000 people attended the first night of the festival.
Bobby Taylor and his band, comprising local and international acts.
KOTA KINABALU: The 2015 Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival (KKJF) has continued to upkeep its prestige as the musical event to look forward to.
On the first night alone, an estimated 2,000 people were entertained by an acclaimed lineup of professional and budding talents alike, ranging from local artistes to international acts.
TV personality and Sabahan icon Daphne Iking welcomed the crowd to the event and promised them a riveting programme, which did not disappoint.
The evening kick started with an upbeat set by Sabahan group Quadro Forte, with their signature Spanish-influenced style of rumba and flamenco, with pop and salsa influences. The seven-piece band got the crowd warmed up for a spectacular night ahead with their strong vocals and contagious energy as they delivered perfectly executed renditions of Latino classics.
Following the impressive opening act was Supertonic, winner of this year’s jazz talent search. The group from Labuan serenaded the audience with slower numbers, but picked it up later on with livelier tunes that engaged the crowd.
A band from Hard Rock Café Kota Kinabalu was next with their repertoire of contemporary covers that they put their own spin on, such as Macy Gray’s ‘I Try’, Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’ and Sam Smith’s ‘Lay Me Down.’ The band ended their set with a dynamic take on a Journey classic, ‘Don’t Stop Believin’,’ that got the crowd on their feet and eager for more.
2013 Akademi Fantasia winner Faizul Sany followed suit with his band, The Hybrid, before they gave way to The Prathaz Band, another locally formed group.
Tawau-born Faizul exchanged playful banter with the crowd as he eased his way through his set, which consisted of his hit single ‘Perempuan’ and his winning song, ‘Sepasang Sayap,’ which was written and composed by Amir Jahari as his (Faizul’s) Akademi Fantasia career came to a close. Faizul also delivered a heartfelt composition of his own entitled ‘Siapalah Kita,’ which is a song he wrote in light of the recent earthquake.
Lead vocalist Kamal of The Prathaz Band had the crowd swaying to his smooth vocals and modern takes on classic favourites, spanning across genres such as reggae and blues. The band played indulgently, and the audience quickly became spellbound by their apparent zeal.
Needless to say, the highlight of the night was when music legend Bobby Taylor took to the stage.
From the moment Bobby made his appearance, the crowd was wonderstruck. He filled the air with such effervescence that reminded everyone why he is an icon in the music industry.
Being a seasoned performer, Bobby seemed so at home on the KKJF stage despite it being his debut performance there. He also told the crowd that he had never been to Malaysia before and continued to sing praises for Malaysians.
“This is my first visit to Malaysia and I am in awe of the people. You have been so kind and welcoming to each and every one of us,” said Bobby during his set.
His timeless vocals, easy humour and lighthearted disposition all contributed to a memorable performance that left the audience in reverence of what a legend Bobby Taylor is.
The band Bobby played with was also unique as it was the first time a KKJF performer combined international talents with local acts. It was also revealed that the band had only begun rehearsing the night before their performance.
Bobby and his band wrapped up their flawless set with a classic rendition of Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’.
The ninth edition of the KKJF ended on an exuberant note with veteran local band the Headhunters, which has been around since the mid-nineties and is going strong, playing at the best venues all over Malaysia. Their vibrant set was a testament of their longevity in the industry and proved that it is the passion and love for music that keeps them going.
Not only does KKJF aim to provide local artistes with an opportunity to perform in a world-class setting, the festival is also a fundraising event to support community projects that benefit the people of Sabah, especially those in rural areas.
Ticketing funds are channeled towards the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu’s efforts to improve the standard of living of those who are underprivileged through initiatives such as the Avoidable Blindness Campaign, providing clean water to villagers, literacy programmes and medical camps.
KKJF is mainly sponsored by the Sime Darby Foundation with an amount of RM150,000. Other sponsors include Sabah Tourism Board, Royal Brunei, Mega Boogie Sound and Lighting, as well as Sutera Harbour. The event is also supported by Carlsberg.