Borneo Jazz Festival 2013 in Miri

The last 10^th until 11^th of May 2013, Sarawak Tourism Board held the 8th edition of the Borneo Jazz Festival at Parkcity Everly Hotel in Miri, Sarawak. This event showcased the most diverse musical genres as yet, catering to all types of jazz fans.

Borneo Jazz Festival is among the prestigious Jazz Festival in Malaysia presenting the energetic spicy groovy funk group from Germany, Mo’Blow; described by Berliner Zeitung as “one of the hottest live bands”.

On top of that, other international acts included Hazmat Modine from the East-Coast of the USA, whose song “Bahamut” is used on the Fox television show “So You Think You Can Dance”; Jump4Joy from Sweden with their energetic toe-tapping New Orleans music flavour; and The Nylons, which is an acapella jazz group from Canada that is well known for their slick performance and most heralded vocal groups in the world with seven gold and platinum records.

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The Asian Jazz All-Stars Power Quartet consists of members from Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Thailand, a big name in the Asian jazz circle, also performed besides the Grammy-winning Scott Martin Latin Soul Band from West-Coast of the USA and the ethno-jazz artists from Australia, Lisa Young Quartet, who was the winner of “Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album 2007” and was re-nominated in 2012.

Representing from Borneo element was the West Jazz Band from Sarawak who performed the fusion jazz and everything from Swing to Latin to electrifying funk jazz music.

Borneo Jazz has been growing steadily since its first edition in 2005, going from 3,000 spectators eight years ago to over 9,000 this year. This growth is a reflection of the successful plan and promotion by the Board over these years.

On a whole, it is also a sign of the event’s growing appeal among jazz enthusiasts around the region, thus auguring well for the local business community since their attendance boosts the number of tourist arrivals into Sarawak and contributes significantly to the local economy.

Due to the success of this year’s Borneo Jazz Festival, Sarawak Tourism Board plans to hold the event again next year, with more performers and spectators.

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