KUCHING, May 31: This year’s Borneo Jazz Festival is set to amaze audiences with its diverse line-up of artistes and musicians from all over the world from June 24-26 at Coco Cabana, Miri.
With the theme ‘Jazz in the Jungle’, the line-up includes Malaysian hijabi rapper Noor Ayu Fatini, also known by her stage name Bunga.
According to a media release issued today, Bunga first came to the limelight as the only female rapper finalist to wear a hijab on Southeast Asia’s star-search show ‘16 Baris’ — a platform that showcases upcoming SEA hip-hop acts.
“Her talent got her to the finals, but her fortitude got her worldwide attention when the video went viral and was picked up by international media outlets like the New York Times and Vogue Arabia.
“Bunga has since collaborated with several Malaysian stars, including Malaysia’s Queen of Ethnic Pop, singer Noraniza Idris, on the track’ Intan Payun’.
“The track’ Mereng’ is her latest single and was penned during the Covid-19 lockdown. She is also recognised as one of the top 20 popular female artistes, according to 2020 Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita Harian (ABPBH), and in the Top 10 new breakout artistes at the Anugerah Meletop Era (AME),” it said.
Headlining the festival is Berlin-born pianist and composer Matti Klein, winner of the Audience Award and the Jury Prize at the Jazz & Blues Award Berlin (2008) and the coveted Future Sound Award at the Leverkusener Jazztage (2011).
Matti plays the Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric piano, whose sounds have had the most profound and sustainable impact on the music heritage of funk and soul-jazz.
“Matti has performed at more than 1,000 national and international concerts, travelling to legendary jazz venues such as the Blue Note in Tokyo, Ronnie Scott’s in London, the Highline Ballroom in New York or the New Morning in Paris, as well as major festivals such as Jazz in Marciac (France), Pori Jazz Festival (Finland), the Leverkusener Jazztage (Germany), the Elbjazz Festival (Germany) and the Jazz Baltica (Germany).
“Alongside Lars Zander (bass clarinet and tenor saxophone) and drummer André Seidel, they have constituted the essential foundation of his new Soul Trio’s sound concept since 2017, with the band’s concerts receiving the highest accolades from both critics and audiences alike.”
However, no jazz festival would be complete without featuring a trumpeter. Hailing from Surabaya, Indonesia, with a strong presence and following in Bal, is trumpet player and bandleader Rio Sidik.
“Rio’s early musical education came from his grandfather, Daryono, a trumpeter and a big band leader. Daryono inducted him into music and built him up to be an excellent trumpeter through strict education, instilling a strong work ethic and commitment in him.
“Having played the trumpet since he was eight and performing since he was 14, Rio has garnered many achievements, including collaborating with trumpeter Maurice Brown and the fab Incognito at the Bali Live International Jazz Festival.
“With his group, Rio Sidik Quintet, the trumpeter released his second album ‘Sound of the Mystical Vibe’ which captures the energy of the quintet performing live.”
The media release went on to say that Rio has toured twice in South Africa, Singapore, Australia, Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands and Russia and with his world music fusion band Saharadja, he participated in the inaugural Java Jazz Festival in 2005.
The 17th edition of the festival will be held in a hybrid format and joined by performers from countries like Singapore, Japan, France, Switzerland, the USA, Hungary, and India.
Tickets can be purchased from the official website at jazzborneo.com or directly from official ticket resellers, Miri City Council at ptbmiri@gmail.com, and Transworld Travel Services Sdn Bhd at twtmiri@hotmail.com.
For the general public, the 1-Day Pass is priced at RM128 per ticket, the 2-Day Pass is RM228 per ticket, and the 3-Day Pass is RM338 per ticket.
As for students and senior citizens, the 1-Day Pass is priced at RM88 per ticket, the 2-Day Pass is RM128 per ticket, and the 3-Day Pass is RM188 per ticket.
For those who want to enjoy the festival virtually, tickets are priced at RM25 per viewing block — approximately an hour’s worth of performances.
For more information, log on to the official website at jazzborneo.com. — DayakDaily
