Borneo Jazz 2018 to host more world-class performers

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Evelyn (fourth right), with Chang Kee (fifth right) and representatives of co-organisers and sponsors holding flyers on the upcoming Borneo Jazz Festival 2018.

MIRI: The annual Borneo Jazz Festival will take place at the Coco Cabana in Marina Bay here, this May 11 to 13.

The 13th edition of this multi-stage event will feature international performers including Tony Lakatos from Germany, Christ Stalk (France), Grzegorz Karnas Formula (Poland), Roby Lakatos (Belgium), Cecilia Brunori (Italy), Denis Chang (Canada), QSound (USA), Isao Miyoshi (Japan), Gaoyang Li (China) and Jeremy Monteiro (Singapore).

Representing Malaysia will be Datuk Zainal Abidin, Michael Veerapen, Dasha Logan, Bihzhu, Mei Lin Hii, Elvira Arul and Sarawak’s own Pete Kallang.

“The Miri-born singer-songwriter who has made it big on the international jazz music scene, Zee Avi, will also be performing at the festival.

“Jazz fans will also get the opportunity to meet Malaysia’s legendary singer Datuk Zainal Abidin who will be sharing his experience with the participants on how to take over the stage and make it their own,” said festival director Evelyn Hii during a press conference on Friday.

She said as part of this year’s festival, co-organisers Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Kuala Lumpur’s premier jazz club No Black Tie also launched the first ‘Borneo Jazz Talent Search’, which kicked off in early March this year.

It was meant to provide a platform for emerging talents from Borneo to perform in front of an international audience at the festival.

“We have festival tickets at special prices exclusively for Mirians. They only have to come to Coco Cabana and show their identification card when purchasing the tickets. Students and senior citizens aged 60 and above will also enjoy special ticket price,” said Evelyn, adding that the tickets are not available online.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee viewed Borneo Jazz Festival as one of the event highlights for Visit Miri Year 2018 campaign. He expressed his gratitude to sponsors such as AirAsia, Miri Marriott Resort & Spa and ride-sharing platform Grab for their strong support.

“I would like to advise the public to use Grab to avoid traffic congestion as parking spaces are limited,” he added.

Grab users can enjoy RM5 off two rides per user with the promo code GRAB2JAZZ.

Acting STB chief executive officer Mary Wan Mering, Miri City Council (MCC) Tourism Development Committee chairman Councillor Ernest Goh, Sarawak Arts Council chief executive Sharkawi Amit, Tourism Malaysia Sarawak director Bahruddin Sulaiman and Coco Cabana manager Yong Kah King were also present at the press conference.

For more information on Borneo Jazz Festival 2018, visit www.jazzborneo.com.