The Borneo Jazz Festival 2013 full line-up was announced by the Sarawak Tourism Board for the 8th edition of this stunning jazz festival, which will take place at Parkcity Everly Hotel in Miri, Sarawak, from 10-11 May this year. After seven successful festivals, this year’s festival will be the most diverse in terms of musical genres, catering to all types of jazz fans.

Borneo Jazz Festival 2013

This is also dubbed among the prestigious Jazz Festivals in Malaysia and is set to draw a more significant number of fans this year. The festival will see for the first time the energetic, spicy, groovy funk group from Germany, Mo’Blow, described by Berliner Zeitung as “one of the hottest live bands.”

The other international act confirmed is Hazmat Modine from the East Coast of the USA. Their song “Bahamut” will be used on the Fox television show “So You Think You Can Dance?.

The other international acts confirmed for the Borneo Jazz this year include the energetic and toe-tapping music by Jump4Joy from Sweden, a popular energy entertainment group with a strong New Orleans flavour.

A capella jazz group from Canada, The Nylons is well known for their slick performances and is one of the most heralded vocal groups in the world, with seven gold and platinum records. Represented by members from Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Thailand, The Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quarter is one of the big names of the Asian jazz circle, which consists of the most innovative and exciting drummers to emerge in the Asian jazz scene.

Scott Martin, a Latin Soul Band from the West Coast of the USA, has performed worldwide with many artists but is best known for his successful tenure winning a Grammy. Last but not least, the ethno-jazz musician and artist from Australia, Lisa Young Quartet, was the winner of “Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album 2007” and was re-nominated in 2012.

As the Borneo Jazz name suggests, the organizer wishes that the Borneo element be presented by local talent on this international platform. Deserved to be on stage will be the West Jazz Band from Sarawak, who will play fusion jazz and everything from Swing to Latin to electrifying funk jazz music.

Sarawak Tourism Board will continue with its internship and volunteer programme, which was first initiated in 2011. “In this program, we will provide a unique learning experience for international volunteers and interns whilst at the same time being exposed to the product experiences of Sarawak’s culture, nature and adventure on the island of Borneo,” says Dato’ Rashid Khan, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Tourism Board.

The Board will also collaborate with academia as part of an industry advisory platform to enhance the quality of graduates relevant to the industry’s needs and undertake this initiative as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility program.

The aim is for most of the students participating in this program to be from outside Sarawak. This is another step towards bringing the festival to the international stage. STB will also invite school bands to perform at the venue to expose them to such an international event.

The Board is also collaborating with the private sector to design packages that attract visitors from neighbouring Brunei and Singapore, the region, and overseas. With these travel packages, visitors can attend the festival and visit various places of interest in Miri and its surroundings.

Apart from the main shows on 10-11 May, the event will consist of Previews on 7 and 8 May in Kuala Lumpur. There will also be fringe events, including a Craft Bazaar, which will be offered to local craftsmen and artisans as a venue to display the local handicrafts and arts for sale.

Since the past few editions of Borneo Jazz, the Board has sought to lessen the festival’s carbon footprint by following green initiatives. This year, the Board will continue organizing a tree-planting ceremony at Curtin University Sarawak’s campus in Miri.

Borneo Jazz has grown steadily since its first edition in 2005, going from 3,000 spectators eight years ago to over 8,000 last year. This growth reflects the successful plan and promotion by the Board over these years. It is also a sign of the growing appeal of jazz enthusiasts around the region.

The organizer expects an influx of 9,000 fans, both local and international, for this year’s two-day festival. This will thus augur well for the local business community and also contribute to a significant number of visitor arrivals in Sarawak as a whole. The festival will also have stalls selling a wide variety of local and fusion food and beverages and festival memorabilia at the venue.

Conclusion

Tickets for the main shows are RM63 for adults, RM33 for children aged 3-12, RM103 for a 2-day pass for adults and RM53 for children. All tickets are available for Internet purchase only at www.jazzborneo.com or www.ticketcharge.com.my. Contact STB Leisure & Property at leisure@sarawaktourism.com (email) or +6 082-239171 (office hours only, 8:00 AM—5:00 PM).

This festival is organized by the Sarawak Tourism Board, supported by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and the Ministry of Tourism Sarawak, and endorsed by Tourism Malaysia for the 8th edition of the Borneo Jazz Festival 2013.