Now into its 6th year, the Kuala Lumpur International Jazz Festival 2017, will showcase a stellar line up of international and local artists performing a wide genre of Jazz music from 14th -17th September 2017 at multiple venues.
Beginning on 14th September at the French restaurant, at Rendez-Vous, Bangsar, the main festival with 11 performances will be held at the Experimental theatre, University Malaya on 15th & 16th September 2017. The closing day on 17th September features two performances at the newly opened Commune, Sunway Velocity Mall.
The Kuala Lumpur International Jazz Festival is The BrandLaureate Country Branding Award winner 2011-2012 and over the years, it has built a good standing among the jazz fraternity for providing top notch international acts from all over the world.
Having presented the likes of NEA Jazz Master, Ahmad Jamal from New York, and Grammy winners and nominees such as David Sanborn, Incognito, Lee Ritenour, John Beasley, Hiromi, Simon Philips, Anthony Jackson, Ernie Watts, Keiko Matsui, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Lao Tizer, Chieli Minucci and numerous others from New York, Los Angeles, South Africa, Europe, UK, Japan, Australia and ASEAN, this year promises another line up of stellar artists.
Head lining the festival this year is Tenor Man, Eric Wyatt from Brooklyn, New York City. Eric is the God son of the legendary Sonny Rollins and is expected to carry Sonny’s legacy to the next generation of Jazz lovers.
He has been recording and traveling the world as both leader and sideman and continues to build an impressive, solid resume. Having released five albums, the latest being “Look to the Sky”, Eric has a unique sound that, while straddling between the sounds of John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Frank Foster and Sonny Rollins, overall it transcends into a high energy and heavy driven sounds for a jazz quartet.
Supported by Benito Gonzales on piano, Christy Smith on Acoustic Bass and up coming youngster David Hodek on Drums. Eric is scheduled to perform two shows at the festival. On 15th September ( Friday ) he will play songs from his latest album “Look to the Sky”, and on 16th September ( Saturday ), he pays a tribute to the music of Sonny Rollins.
Local artists performing at the festival include Isabella Soliano, Jordan Rivers, Penang Philharmonic Jazz Big Band, Az Samad and many others. Joining them will be the Robert MR Quartet from Jakarta, Akihito Fuse on seven string guitar, Dodong Jumawan, Manila and Terrapoj Plitakul Quartet from Bangkok, Thailand. A surprise inclusion at the festival is Nattakit Thanapoonsawad from Bangkok, a highly talented youngster on tenor sax, performing the sounds of Michael Brecker on all four days during the festival
Malaysian singer Atilia Haron, daughter of the evergreen Salamiah Hassan will perform on the 16th September 2017. She has just released her third album entitled No3.
Tickets can be bought at www.ticketpro.com.my or by WhatsApp to 017 4827759.
Please log on to Kuala Lumpur International Jazz Festival 2017 website at www.klinternationaljazz.com for a full list of the artist line up, details of the program and for ticketing or email to ian@asiaworldevents.com or rodin@klinternationaljazz.com for further information.
