​After another good outing this year, Miri Country Music Fest is heading towards being bigger next year. The festival will be held for two days next year and this is to accommodate the request from festival goers.

​Since introducing the festival in 2014, Planet Conventions and Events Sdn Bhd had been organizing the event for one day. However, as the festival entered into it’s forth year, Miri Country Music Fest will be held for two days from February 25 to 26 next year.
 
The decision was because of the overwhelming response this year. The festival which was held on February 27 this year recorded a total of 2,740 festival goers, an increased of 30 per cent as compared to last year.  Last year’s crowd was at 2,100. Next year Planet Conventions and Events is targeting to attract more than 3,500 festival goers to the event.

​The venue will remain at Parkcity Everly Hotel Miri, which is also the official hotel and the main sponsor for the event.
 
To cater for the two days and increasing festival goers number, the organizer will also be bringing in more international bands to entertain the crowd. Among those already short listed include from USA, Australia, Germany, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. There will also be more local Malaysian bands taking the centre stage as well.
 
The festival concept also remain as in previous years, starting with the festival bazaar and followed with music workshop before the concert begin in the evening. On Sunday, the concert will begin earlier so that the finale can end earlier as well. This is in consideration for the festival goers who have to work the next day.

​Planet Conventions and Events is also planning to include more activities in the program to further enhance the festival goers’ experience at the event. This will include more stalls offering wide variety of food and beverages, arts and crafts, apparels and souvenirs and to organize competitions like burger eating contest, arm wrestling and many more.
 
There is also plan to hold a Sunday-cook-out session on the second day of the festival, to encourage more visitors especially those with young children to spend the afternoon at the festival.
 
Next year’s event will have something for everyone, be they country music fans or anyone wanting to chill out with family and friends.

Tickets to the festival are now available online at www.miricountrymusic.com and tickets are priced at RM80 for one day and RM150 for two days for adult. For children between three to 12 years old, their ticket is priced at RM40 for one day and RM70 for two days. All the tickets include one drink.
 
At the moment Planet Conventions and Events is offering the Big Bang Sale and the tickets are priced at RM55 per day and RM100 for two days for adult and RM35 and RM60 respectively for a child. The Big Bang Sale will last until September 30. After that date the ticket will be on sale at normal price.
 
The forth edition of Miri Country Music Fest is endorsed by Miri City Council and supported by Sarawak Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts Sarawak and Malaysia Conventiona and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). Rentak Sejuta is the online media partner.
 
For more detail on the festival, either logon to www.miricountrymusic.com, email to info@placeborneo.com or call +6 082 250400.

Were you there at the 2nd edition of Asia Music Festival? No? You have no idea what you've missed people! This was my 2nd time covering this event and here I am, sharing with you,my dear readers, my experience.

Before the actual event starts, strolled along the EastWood Valley Musical Corridor and watching the visitors getting their tattos. I was so tempted to get a tattoo but I've told myself, wait till I gain more weight and if i were to do a tattoo, it would have a meaning to me. Something that really impacted my life and it would be there as a constant reminder. (Checkout the slide show above. *pictures taken on day 1 and 2).

The evening started off with DrumCall. A group of percussionist mostly based in Kuching,Sarawak beating the beat out of their instruments. It was a slow start at first but not long after that, you can see visitors starts storming the front stage and dancing little by little following the rhythm of the drums. 

In between the band performances, the crowd was entertained by one of the best DJ's in the industry, with at least 20 years of experience, once crowned as the Malaysian DJ Champion for 3 years in a row, DJ RoundHead. From Old Skool Hip Hip to the latest hits on the decks. That kept the crowd grovin'.He even did some frestylin'. As seen on the picture above, Dj RoundHead taking the crowd to a whole new level of frestylin' emcee.

Second up on stage was Pisco from Taiwan. How did they got their name? PIano + Disco = Pisco.. What I love about this band? The the lead guitarist and bassist was a girl! The bassist, probably the cutest bassist I've ever seen,with her bob cut hair style, small sized girl-next-door look can really slap that bass. Who would have known that this Apple App Editor by day, a turn into a badas* chick at night. Not to miss the lead guitarist, if you've seen through the slide show I've made, is purely rocker chick but still cute at the same time.

The third band that was performing that night was Masia One from Singapore. The first band that played reggae which got the crowd really grovin'. I mean, how can you not move to Reggae? Honestly, based on her autobiography, I was expecting her to perform more Hip Hop based genre but I had fun listening to her as well. It shows that Masia One has really developed into a multi-genre artist.

This band was one of the bands that I looked forward see performing on the first night. Pancake80 from the Philippines and they didn't disappoint me. The vocalist was very versatile with her notes and they played my all time favorite song which was Cryin' by BonJovi. The lead vocalist plays the harmonica and guess what? Their guitarist looks like Jacoby Shaddix (PapaRoach vocalist) too. :D. 

This was the last band that was performing night. A band that was no longer a stranger in our local music scene. SalamMusik from Kuala Lumpur.

Misaluvi and Motion Family was the opening act for Day 2. Although this group doesn't sing or play any musical instrument, the energy they brought with them was definitely there. Not much I can say about this group as we, the Sarawak Bloggers was busy taking our group picture during the performance. Sorrrrrryyy.....

Next up was SoulMate all the way from India. Being the 2nd performer up for the night, bringing blues rock genre was really soothing after the energetic performance by Misaluvi & Motion Family. Tipriti, the female vocalist/guitarist is considered one of the finest female singers to have emerged from the North East India, paired with Wallang, who is considered one of the respected blues guitarist of India, you know they're gonna make your heart skips a beat with their performance. I personally fell in love with Tipriti's soulful voice. They really know their music well.

This one here, is a proof that music knows no language. Retrospect from Thailand.Although they sang mostly/if not all, in Thai language, it didn't stop the crowd from jumping around rocking to their music. I have to say that this band, was the cherry on top of the cake.

MAD August!! I love this band! Somehow they remind me a lot of one particular Hong Kong Band, Beyond. MAD August stands for Make A Difference and August was included in the band's name because the band was formed in August. They performed a few of their singles and did a cover of Nirvana's Song, Smells Like Teen Spirit.. Two of the band members got tattoo-ed earlier that day at the tattoo expo too.

The last band to perform that night was Ras Muhamad representing Indonesia. Known as the Indonesian Reggae Ambassador, Ras didnt disappoint the crowd that night. From the start of his performance till the end, you can see the dance floor was packed. Towards the end of the performance, they did an impromptu performance with Masia One and Salamusik. 

Need I say more? Let the pictures speak for themselves. 

Well, that was one of the best events I've attended so far.  Before I end this post, I would like to thank Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) for the opportunity, the performers, my fellow Sarawak Bloggers, members of media from all over the world, and the volunteers who made this all possible. I kid you knot, I'm already looking forward to the next event by them.

If you wish to read more on the event coverage, below are the links of my fellow bloggers who covered the event as well.

Abang Joe
Elena Aradia
Miss Alvy
Cik Reyyana
Fabian
Pei Pei
LadyBird Eileen


Pictures?
You can find them Here
Or  if you want to see the pictures taken by the official photographer, Andy Kho, below are the links.
*Note : Please take note that all pictures, be it taken by me or anybody else, if you wish to use them, please give credits to the owner of the pictures.

Asia Music Festival Day 1 By Andy Kho
Asia MUsic Festival Day 2 By Andy Kho

MIRI – Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, the venue of Asia Music Festival will offer free shuttle bus service to the event venue on both festival days Friday 3rd October and Saturday 4th October.

 

Shuttle bus service operated by the Eastwood Valley will be made available free to shuttle festival attendees to Asia Music Festival or just to reach their golf club and hotel property located at Jalan Miri by-Pass. According to Rebecca Wong, Eastwood Valley’s Director of Marketing, shuttle bus will leave Eastwood Valley every hour from 5:00pm until 9:00pm. This bus will drop off and pick up at the Boulevard Shopping Complex (entrance next to KFC), Imperial Shopping Mall (lobby entrance of the hotel) and Bintang Mega Mall (mall main entrance, near Coffee Bean).

 

The first schedule that runs from Eastwood Valley at 5:00pm will first reach Boulevard Shopping Complex approximately around 5:15pm, then Imperial Shopping Mall around 5:30pm and Bintang Mega Mall around 5:45pm. The shuttle bus will then return to Eastwood Valley and will continue its service for 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm and 9:00pm before returning to Eastwood Valley at around 10:00pm.

 

The major purpose of this service is to provide easy access to festival goers to attend the 2 day festival and at the same time to ease traffic congestion at the venue. 

 

The festival organizer, Sarawak Tourism Board who is promoting “greening the festival” program is also encouraging festival goers to use this free shuttle service to reach the venue while reducing the carbon foot print. “Festival goers are encouraged to help and put into practice the greening effort as their small but worthy contribution to save the environment” says Dato’ Rashid Khan, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board.

 

At the inaugural event last year, the event drew more than 3,000 people over the 2 days of the festival. The 2nd edition of Asia Music Festival this weekend will feature artists from Asian countries namely from India, Philippines, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

 

The festival will also add a DJ gig into this year’s program by featuring  Malaysian famous DJ Roundhead who will be playing an array of famous dance music at the post-festival late show on both nights which will last until 2:00am. Festival gates open at 5:00pm both Friday and Saturday.

 

Other than music, the festival will also incorporate a range of Asian food namely from Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, India, Malaysia and more. The Festival will continue to feature a tattoo exhibition which has attracted more tattoo experts this year from Indonesia and Philippines. 

 

Entry tickets to Asia Music Festival is currently on pre-sale offer at only RM25 for adults and RM10 for children/student (aged 3-18). Visit the website www.asiamusicfestival.net to purchase online. Tickets also available at Visitors Information Centre in Miri (+6 085-434180), Kuching (+6 082-423600) and Sibu (+6 084-340980). Door-sale tickets are priced at RM30 for adults and RM15 for children/students.

KUCHING – The Asia Music Festival will be featuring DJ gig for the first time this year by adding the Malaysian famous DJ Roundhead into the program. DJ Roundhead will be playing at the post-festival late show on both Friday and Saturday night, 3rd and 4th October. He will also be playing a huge array of famous dance music during a break between each bands both nights.

Performing as a DJ for with at least 20 years experience, DJ Roundhead was once crowned as the ‘Malaysia DJ Champion’ 3 years in a row when he entered the Malaysian DJ Championship competition from 1995-1997.

When he was in high school, he would work part-time jobs during the weekend just to blow it all away on CD's and records. That made him the "go-to-guy" when it came to house parties from high school all the way to college. Roundhead would bring his own player and set up his own mini console and rock the crowd at the party. Only after college he join a company during the 90's called Clubworld Entertainment that supplied DJ's to entertainment outlets around Malaysia, where then only he started his professional career.

Among his best moment is representing Malaysia in the Rotterdam Love Parade in the Netherlands for a crowd of 10,000 strong on a 34 wheel trailer while proudly flying the Malaysian flag in front of his console. He played as a DJ residency in Melbourne, Australia for a year before returning to Malaysia and is currently attached to TraxxFM in Kuala Lumpur.

The major challenge for any real DJ is being able to perform under pressure. The most interesting bit is studying the crowd earlier before any performance without undermining their expectations of entertainment. According to Roundhead, a real DJ can tell if a record or a song is going to be a hit or a dance floor filler. Knowledge is the key for everything.

Asia Music Festival now in its second year will bring again the very best eclectic mix of live music together for one mind-blowing weekend in Miri, Sarawak. The inaugural festival last year saw incredible performances from headliners from Asian region as far as India, Thailand and Korea. With the main goal to develop the brand of Asia Music Festival to be an iconic music festival of mixed genre in the Asian Region, the festival has recorded around 3000 music fans attending the first edition of the festival last year.

Asia Music Festival will also incorporate a range of Asian food as well as tattoo exhibition so there will be something for everyone. The festival will start at 5:00pm daily with a tattoo exhibition as well as food and village mart. Stage performance will begin at 7:30pm until midnight, followed by the DJ set with DJ Roundhead until 2:00am.

Eight international bands has been confirmed for this year’s festival. Get your tickets now at a pre-sale price, only RM25 for adults and RM10 for children/student (aged 3-18) at www.asiamusicfestival.net . Tickets also on sale at Visitors Information Centre in Kuching (+6 082-423600), Miri (+6 085-434180) and Sibu (+6 084-340980). Door-sale tickets are priced at RM30 for adults and RM15 for children/students.

KUCHING – Asia Music Festival is back for the 2nd year running and this edition will present to you Female Rapper from Singapore, Masia One.  She is all set to thrill the audience at the coming event to be held at Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, Miri from the 3rd to 4th October 2014.

In 2003, Masia One, began her own record label known as M1 Group (later renamed The MERDEKA Group) and subsequently released her debut album, Mississauga.  The album was well received and the music video for the lead single “Split Second Time” was nominated in the category of best rap video by the Much Music awards. Masia’s second studio album, “PULAU” was released in 2009. The album attained the number one slot on the Canadian College Radio Charts as well as charting on both CBC Radio 3 and South East Asian Radio.

Masia has developed into a well rounded multi-genre artist. Her sound reflects inspiration drawn from touring through North America, Jamaica and Asia and sharing the stage with acts such as The Roots, Floetry, Mos Def, DJ Neil Armstrong, Lady Saw & Ron Sexsmith.

Courted by Grammy Award-winning Aftermath producer Che Vicious (Produced for Lauren Hill, Kanye West and 50 Cent to name a few), Masia began working on what would later become the album “Bootleg Culture”. “Bootleg Culture” was released in September 2012.
and is currently nominated for “Urban Recording of the Year” by the Western Canadian Music Alliance.

In February 2013 Masia One won three South East Asian VIMA Music Awards. Best Hip Hop Song (Warriors Tongue), Best Collaboration (Errrybody feat. Pharrell, The Game & Isis Salam) & Thank You For Existing Highest Honor Award. She was nominated in eight categories, including nominations for Best Overall Female Act and Best Pop Song – “Make Up”.

In May 2013 Masia One got the opportunity to perform for the first time in Europe. She did shows in Germany and Sweden as well as working with Swedish producer team Musicano.

Watch Masia One performing on stage at Asia Music Festival. Other confirmed line-up this year includes SoulMate (India), Salammusik (Malaysia), Pancake80 (Philippines), Pisco (Taiwan), Retrospect (Thailand), Ras Muhamad (Indonesia) and Mad August (Malaysia).

Get your presale tickets now at only RM25 for adults and RM10 for children/student (aged 3-18) at http://asiamusicfestival.net/tickets/ . Tickets also available from all STB’s Visitors Information Centre located at Sarawak Tourism Complex, Kuching (+6 082-423600), Jalan Melayu, Miri (+6 085-434180) and Jalan Tukang Besi, Sibu (+6 084-340980). Door-sale tickets are priced at RM30 for adults and RM15 for children/students.

KUCHING – Reggae music is not new among listeners and music lovers. The 2nd edition of Asia Music Festival this coming October 3-4 in Miri, Sarawak will bring you Reggae Ambassador of Indonesia, Ras Muhamad. He will entertain you with reggae music that will leave you mesmerized

Ras Muhamad believes that through the power of music especially Reggae, people can share and learn each other’s cultures through the messages it conveys. To find similarities and common ground, setting aside petty differences and finally celebrating life and all its dynamics through music. Such as the core and heart of Reggae, it’s a universal expression and a message of love.

Ras Muhamad musical influences other than Reggae, Ska, Dancehall and Rocksteady ranges widely from Hip-Hop, Indonesian traditional and pop music, Jazz, Metal and World Music. Besides Bob Marley, his Reggae “heroes” are Lee Perry, Peter Tosh, Augustus Pablo, King Tubby, Sizzla, Garnett Silk Gregory Isaacs and a very long-list of others. Lyrically, he draws many inspirations also from Hip-Hop icons such as Rakim, KRS-One, Nas and Wu-Tang. If one listens closely to any of Ras Muhamad’s tune his rhyme structure has subtle undertones and akin to a Hip-Hop lyricist.

Not just active in the Reggae Culture, Ras Muhamad challenges himself to collaborate with other genres in the Indonesian music industry. To express himself as an artist and give the “Reggae breath” to other forms of music is challenging to an ever-growing and evolving artist.

As an example, Ras Muhamad collaborated and recorded music with Indonesian Pop Icons such as Glenn Fredly, Tompi and Element. Indra Lesmana, a jazz legend in Indonesia also had experience in working with the Reggae Ambassador of Indonesia. Renowned, Indonesian Punk Band Superglad also collaborated with him in 2013 for their album.

Lyrically inclined, musically dynamic and Jamaican-influenced yet still Asiatic. Oneness Records boldly releases Indonesia’s first Reggae international album on July 25th 2014, Ras Muhamad’s “Salam”.

Among the many awards he received are; 2013 Nomintaed Best Reggae Composition for “Negeri Pelangi” by “Anugerah Music Indonesia, 2013 Best Reggae Song “Prosa Tinju Lima Jari”, 2012 Best Reggae for Indonesia Cutting-Edge Music Awards.

Watch Ras Muhamad performing on stage at Asia Music Festival to be held in Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, Miri, Sarawak. Other confirmed line-up this year includes SoulMate (India), Salammusik (Malaysia), Pancake80 (Philippines), Pisco (Taiwan), Retrospect (Thailand), Masia One (Singapore) and Mad August (Malaysia).

Presale tickets is currently on sale only at RM25 for adults and RM10 for children/student (aged 3-18) at http://asiamusicfestival.net/tickets/ . Tickets also available from all STB’s Visitors Information Centre located at Sarawak Tourism Complex, Kuching (+6 082-423600), Jalan Melayu, Miri (+6 085-434180) and Jalan Tukang Besi, Sibu (+6 084-340980).  Door-sale ticket are priced at RM30 for adults and RM15 for children/students.

KUCHING – The second edition of Asia Music Festival this coming October 3-4 will be enlivened by the presence of the Malaysian band, MAD AUGUST.

The band consisting of 4 members who have their own musical skills and are ready to amaze the audience with their live performance for the first time in Miri, Sarawak.

The concept behind the name “MAD” is actually an abbreviation of a philosophical slogan – “Make A Difference”. It pledges that everyone can make a difference in life, even with a least of strength and the words “August” which in numeric 8 refers to success, opportunity and strength.

MAD AUGUST plays Modern Rock and Emo Rock music. They create an icon via music as a medium to manifest their ideology. This icon is a leader, an image and a symbol of encouragement about living life to its fullness with courage.

Asia Music Festival promises an extraordinary weekend of fun, music and more, against the stunning backdrop of the venue, Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club. A mixture of live music will be featured throughout the two days event and will include a mix-genre of music from regional, national and local talent.

Other than MAD August, the confirmed line-up of performers includes SoulMate (India), Ras Muhamad (Indonesia), Pancake80 (Philippines), Pisco (Taiwan), Retrospect (Thailand), Masia One (Singapore) and Salammusik (Malaysia).

Presale tickets are still on sale only at RM25 for adults and RM10 for children/student (aged 3-18) and available online at www.asiamusicfestival.net . Tickets also available from all STB’s Visitors Information Centre located at Sarawak Tourism Complex, Kuching (+6 082-423600), Jalan Melayu, Miri (+6 085-434180) and Jalan Tukang Besi, Sibu (+6 084-340980). Door-sale ticket are priced at RM30 for adults and RM15 for children/students.

KUCHING, Friday – The Malaysian famous DJ Roundhead has been added to the Borneo Jazz main program performing both nights on the 9 and 10 May 2014. The 9th edition of Borneo Jazz will dedicate a special DJ slot right after the mainstage show each night held at the Pavilion, Parkcity Everly Hotel in Miri, Sarawak.

Crowned as the ‘Malaysia DJ Champion’ 3 years in a row when he entered the Malaysian DJ Championship competition from 1995-1997, DJ Roundhead has recorded a long history in the Malaysian music industry with accumulation of at least 20 years performing as a DJ. Among the best moment in his artistic career is representing Malaysia in the Rotterdam Love Parade in the Netherlands for a crowd of 10,000 strong on a 34 wheel trailer while proudly flying the Malaysian flag in front of his console. He also has served as a DJ residency in Melbourne, Australia for a year before returning to Malaysia and currently attached fulltime to TraxxFM in Kuala Lumpur. Roundhead was the producer, composer and the song writer for Malaysia’s very first techno group Asian Tech for Sony Music Malaysia in 1994.

He started career with humble beginnings but at the peak of his career, he never considered himself a celebrity. His passion is music so when he was in high school, he would work part-time jobs during the weekend just to blow it all away on CD's and records. That made him the "go-to-guy" when it came to house parties from high school all the way to college. Roundhead would bring his own player and set up his own mini console and rock the crowd at the party. He did it for free of course, but only after college he join a company during the 90's called Clubworld Entertainment that supplied DJ's to entertainment outlets around Malaysia, where then only he started his professional training.

Explaining on his early passions and influences, Roundhead stressed that he was heavily influenced by the styles and technique of DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Terminator-X, DJ Rob Base, Jam Master Jay when it came to hip-hop and Frankie Knuckles, Masters at Work, Armand Van Helden and CJ Mackintosh when it came to dance music.

For Roundhead, the major challenge for any real DJ is being able to perform under pressure. Studying the crowd that you are about to perform to can be real nerve wrecking because everyone has different taste in music. A real DJ can tell if a record or a song is going to be a hit or a dance floor filler. The most interesting bit in his humble opinion is studying the crowd earlier before any performance without undermining their expectations of entertainment. Eye contact plays an important role once he hit the stage.

Building a real relationship with the music played for his own approach is very important. According to Roundhead, knowledge is the key for everything. It's the main ingredient for a DJ like him to know what he is playing. “When you have knowledge of what music is all about, diversity becomes your ultimate weapon. Being able to perform just 1 particular genre might make you good in your craft, but being able to play any concept or genre and the showmanship that comes with it makes you immaculate” he added. Deciding what record to play next comes from the heart and soul, not to mention observation of the crowd and being confident.

DJ Roundhead is welcoming his fans and festivalgoers to Miri next weekend to celebrate the Borneo Jazz. “You have already gotten tickets to a world class event with world class performers supported by world class sound and lights. The DJ set will introduce to you the sound of the Future Past. Never experienced before in Malaysia. Classy, sexy, and prepare yourself to get lost in bass” he added. 

Sarawak Tourism Board, the organizer of Borneo Jazz has added value to the programme format this year by adding a Club Setwith DJ Roundhead after the nightly stage shows. Although the organiser encourage the public to come to the 2-nights festival, those who are only able to attend the clubset will be allowed in after midnight at a cover charge of only RM10.

Eight international bands has been confirmed for this year’s festival. Program detail as well as the pre-sale promotional tickets to Borneo Jazz are still available online at www.jazzborneo.com .

KUCHING, 24 March – Early bird tickets offer for the upcoming Borneo Jazz in Miri, Sarawak are now on sale at www.jazzborneo.com.

Early bird tickets priced at only RM30 for adult single entry and RM55 for a 2-day pass. Children under the age of 12 years will enjoy RM15 on each purchase of single entry ticket during this period and RM25 for a two-day pass. This offer is valid until 31 March 2014. After this offer, ticket price will increase to RM50 for adult for single entry and RM95 for a 2-day pass. Children tickets will be RM25 for one day and RM45 for 2 days. These will be available until the event day itself when ticket prices will be RM70 for adult for a day and RM130 for a 2-day pass. Children tickets at the gate will be RM30 for a day and RM50 for 2 days.

Running over the weekend 9-10 May at the Parkcity Everly Hotel in Miri, Borneo Jazz promises two days of fine jazz music with great food and a craft bazaar at a very beautiful beach resort ambience.

Now in its ninth year, the festival will ensure wonderful Jazz music in an exotic setting. Apart from the stage, the program this year will showcase marching bands from school bands who have participated in international competitions. They will kick off the programme daily. After the stage shows, those of you who have not had enough of the jazz music, you will be able to have a jam session with your favourite bands. For those who still want to party, we will have a Club Set with a well known DJ at the venue.  

The lineup this year is without doubt an exciting one. The festival will be featuring bands from countries never featured before and also bands having repertoires that are unique. Borneo Jazz will be featuring a band from Georgia - Iriao, which is an ethno-jazz band and their repertoire has been recognized by UNESCO as being a masterpiece of oral immaterial heritage.

 

Brassballett from Germany – the first and only show worldwide where musicians will play their instruments and dance at the same time, a unique performance not to be missed. Vocal Sampling – salsa band, and all-male a-cappella musical group from Cuba. They are a very well-known band and a crowd pleaser. In the last 2 years, a capella acts have been a show topper at Borneo Jazz. Their album “Cambio de Tiempo” was nominated for 3 Latin Grammy Awards. Mario Canonge - a great virtuoso and showman playing creole jazz with West indies rhythms from Martinique/France, also a first Matinique band at the festival. YK Band from Indonesia who will feature Jazz from Samarinda with hints of Borneo flavours. Anthony Strong – hailed as “England’s new jazz superstar" from UK. He beat Gregory Porter, Michael Bublé and Harry Connick Jr. to become No. 1 on the iTunes and No.2 on the www.amazon.com jazz charts in the USA.

 

From the local scene, Diana Liu the Sarawakian born artist who plays various jazz, bossa nova, gospel and funk/soul and will represent Malaysia/USA/Taiwan. Among members of her band will be our very own Lewis Pragasam who will be on drums. Another Malaysian band will be Junkofunc, a highly energetic rhythms with a touch of soul and lashings of func. The group plays a punchy brass, powerful vocals and pounding rhythm section. 

 

For more information on the festival program and for details of ticket outlets please log on to www.jazzborneo.com.