First of all, I wanna say,Borneo Jazz Festival 2013 was the BOMB! A gazillion thanks to Sarawak Tourism Board for giving me the opportunity to cover the event under Sarawak Bloggers and thanks to Abang Joe and Ladybird Eileen for your guidance.
As I mentioned in my previous post, this was my first time attending the Borneo Jazz Festival and at the same time given the chance to cover the event, I was very excited and nervous at the same time. I seriously didn't know what to expect. But I'm glad I was selected as one of the blogger to cover this event as it changes my perception towards Jazz music. All this while, I just couldn't take in Jazz music. Those who thinks Jazz music is boring, you should go to this event. I kid you not, you will never think the same way again. The amount of "feel" the performers put in their music was indescribable. Here are some of the photos I took during the event. (just teasers, the full album will be uploaded soon in the "Photos" tab)
As I mentioned in my previous post, this was my first time attending the Borneo Jazz Festival and at the same time given the chance to cover the event, I was very excited and nervous at the same time. I seriously didn't know what to expect. But I'm glad I was selected as one of the blogger to cover this event as it changes my perception towards Jazz music. All this while, I just couldn't take in Jazz music. Those who thinks Jazz music is boring, you should go to this event. I kid you not, you will never think the same way again. The amount of "feel" the performers put in their music was indescribable. Here are some of the photos I took during the event. (just teasers, the full album will be uploaded soon in the "Photos" tab)
Attended the Press Conference at Meritz Hotel together with members of the Media(local and international) on Friday (10th May 2013). The second press conference for the Borneo Jazz. The first one was the day before at Parkcity Everly Hotel.
Members of the media given a tour of Meritz Hotel by the Executive Chairman, Dato' Lau Siu Wai. Seen in the picture is Dato' Lau explaining the infrastructure of the M Ballroom (Equivalent to one football field) which can cater up to 1,400 person at any time making it the largest indoor banquet hall in Miri
After the press conference and a short Q&A session with Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Johari Bin Tun Haji Openg,Minister Of Housing, Minister of Tourism and YBhg Dato' Rashid Khan, Chief Executive Office, Sarawak Tourism Board, members of the media was invited to attend the cocktail reception at the Sky Garden Outdoor Dining which is located at Level 17 of the Hotel.
The amazing sunset view from the Sky Garden, Meritz Hotel Miri.. I couldn't help myself from smiling when I overheard some of the international media complimenting how beautiful the sunset in Miri is.
The Sarawak Bloggers together with Traxx.fm radio DJ. DJ Roundhead and DJ Double D.
Dj Roundhead updating live for Traxx.fm on Borneo Jazz Festival
After the press conference and media cocktail reception, we headed back to the hotel and prepare for the Day 1 of Borneo Jazz Festival 2013. I managed to spot Dato Rashid Khan at the ticketing counter as seen in the picture.
First up on the stage that night was West Jazz Band. Representing Malaysia! A local jazz band from Sarawak. One of my personal favourite that night. I just love how the present Jazz music with a Sarawakian twist to it. I never knew "liling" and "Semina Duduk Berimbai" by Anderson Ngalai can be Jazz-erzied (if there's such word). But nonetheless, I loved their performance. First band for that night to get an "encore" from the crowd.
The second band that was performing that night was Lisa Young Quartet from Australia.Amazing vocals by Lisa Young and how she incorporated the Indian and African elements in her vocal style especially "konnakol". (South Indian vocal percussion)
Third up on stage was Scott Martin Latin Soul Band from the United Stated of America. If you want some serious Latin Soul Jazz adventure, this is the band to listen too. Saxaphone never sounded so sexy until I heard them play. And I got a free CD from them called "Only Trust Your Heart" which I've given to my dad and surprisingly, he enjoys it too!
The last band that performed for Day 1 was The Nylons from Canada. Another one of my personal favourite. This acapella group got the crowd dancing with their opening act "Spiderman! Spiderman!" in jazz and a pinch of reggae too. They also did a cover of "I'm Yours" By Jason Mraz which got the crowd singing together with them.. You can find a snippet of the vid from our fellow Blogger, Abang Joe, in his Youtube Channel here. They also did a cover of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", a famous soundtrack from The Lion King. You can find the Youtube version of this song here but i guarantee you that if you were there to witness their performance that night, you had the time of you life.
The night didnt just end like that, after all the Jazz performance, the crowd went up to the Pavilion for an afterparty with DJ Uno from PopShuvit spinning on the decks.
DJ Uno preparing the decks to get the crowd up and jumping at the after party Day 1. Tune it to hitz.fm clubhitz to hear his non-stop bass pumpin' mixes
Thats all for my Day 1 Borneo Jazz Festival 2013 experience. Stay tuned for part 2 of the event. For now, gotta get back to editing the vids and pictures I took during that 2 days. Latersssss! :D
RSS Feed
