Borneo Jazz kicks off with a preview

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OUTSTANDING: The CQuence performing at the Borneo Jazz 2010 preview show.

MIRI: The Borneo Jazz 2011 kicked off with a welcoming dinner and preview show held at Marina Bay Restaurant on Thursday night.

The dinner for performers, sponsors and invited guests was graced by Assistant Minister of Tourism Mong Dagang and Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication cum Senadin assemblyman Datuk Lee Kim Shin as well as Miri mayor Lawrence Lai.

“This event is very appropriate. It has put Miri and Sarawak on the world map where jazz lovers from all over the world gather to be part of the event,” said Mong in his address.

He revealed similar events in the pipeline apart from Borneo Jazz and Rainforest World Music Festival to make Sarawak known among music lovers of various genre all over the globe.

The event on Thursday was also to give the audience a sneak peek at what will be served at the actual event last night (May 13) and tonight.

Entertaining guests at the preview show or opening concert were Miri’s own ‘CQuence’ and ‘Dhruv’ all the way from India.

There was a cultural performance by the Orang Ulu community to the accompaniment of live sape music by local musicians.

The bands performing last night were SIU2 (China), Cunha & Piper (Brazil/Australia), John Hammond (US) and Les Dougts De L’Homme (France).

Tonight’s performers are Victor Yong & the Electric Carnival Band (Malaysia/Canada), Yuchiro Tokuda’s Ralyzz Dig (Japan), State of Monc (Holland) and Maria Muldaur (US).

All the performers will get together at the end of the concert for the closing performance tonight.