by Karen Bong
KUCHING, July 19: The Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) will return for the third edition this year on Sept 27 and 28 with more vibrant shows to enliven the Waterfront Walkway overlooking the Sarawak River.
Among the line-up performers for the two-days jazz concert from Malaysia are Ning Baizura, Xanaduduo, Z Yan, Q Sound, Ushera, Nisa Addina and Swaiv.
International artistes expected include Harvey Malaihollo and Saxx In The City from Indonesia; Dave Brewer & The DooDaddies (Australia); Sitti Navarro (the Philippines); and Dawn Wong & The Shanghai Jazz Club (Singapore).
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah emphasised that Sarawak is at the forefront of organising music, arts and cultural festivals to bring out the best of Sarawak.
“These efforts are to turn Sarawak into a vibrant and lively place as aspired by the Chief Minister (Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg) to create a city with soul,” he told a press conference of the KWJF at a leading hotel here today.
“We can’t sell Sarawak as a shopping destination. If you love music, culture and nature then Sarawak and Kuching city is the place for you,” he reiterated.
Abdul Karim assured that more of such exciting events and activities will be created to cater for the local as well as tourist market demands which were diverse and varied.
“We also encouraged conferences to be held here (in Kuching) and be added with other optional or supporting tourism-related activities,” he said, stressing that this will enable visitors having a more wholesome experience of Sarawak during their stay.
On KWJF, he was proud that the young festival has been a success with sold-out crowd over the past two years.
As such, he urged all especially music enthusiasts to get their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
This year, organiser of KWJF, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) also launched a street mural of jazz icons on the facade of Riverside Majestic Astana Wing Hotel which was painted by leading street artist Leonard Siaw.
SEDC Commercial Sector deputy general manager Edwin Abit emphasised that KWJF also served as as platform to nurture and inspire local music talent through the KWJF Jazz Band Search talent competition held before the festival.
“Winners of the competition get to be featured in the concert line-up alongside established and renowned musicians and artistes,” he said.
This year’s KWJF Jazz Band Search will happen on July 27.
With a strategically positioned main stage overlooking the scenic Sarawak River, Edwin said the jazz concert promised festival-goers a continuous flow of soulful music with eclectic offerings of food and beverages, arts, crafts, activities and workshops.
Moreover, KWJF each year aims to help at least two local charities by selling limited autographed performer posters during the festival.
This year’s adopted charities are the Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) and the Penan Women Project.
More information on the event programme and ticket purchase can be found at www.kuchingwaterfrontjazz.com and KWFJ’s official Facebook page. — DayakDaily
