KUCHING: With the astounding success of the first edition of Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) last year, the event is set to return on September 28 – 29, 2018 at The Waterfront, Grand Margherita Hotel.
Speaking at a press conference on KWJF2018 at Grand Margherita Hotel here yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said that KWJF2017 saw a total of 17 local and international bands and artistes performing at the event with Malaysia’s Queen of Jazz, Sheila Majid’s show being the talk of the town after the festival ended.
“With an estimated 4,000 festival goers attending the inaugural event last year which contributed to its success, I am confident that KWJF2018 will be just as excellent if not bigger and better,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr) Abdul Aziz Dato Hussain disclosed that the number of festival goers last year amounted to 3,925 which surpassed the expectation of 3,000 people.
“This year, we are targeting 4,000,” he said, adding that continuing with its CSR initiatives, the festival will also include booths by non-profit organisations such as PERKATA Sarawak and Helping Hands Penans.
“We also encourage the spirit of volunteerism so students and members of the community can be part of our very own Kuching brand.
“We humbly hope that one day our festival can be a household jazz brand,” he said.
Also present at the press conference was SEDC general manager Soedirman Aini.
The two-day jazz festival will feature artistes and bands from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Australia, USA and Portugal.
Artistes expected to perform at the event include Sarawakian songstress Dayang Nurfaizah, Blues Gang (Malaysia), Tompi (Indonesia) and Carmen Souza (UK/Portugal).
Sarawakian-born, international concert pianist Jolynn Chin, will also be making a return to this year’s festival.
In addition, a Jazz Band Search will be held on July 28, 2018 at the Godown Amphitheatre (Kuching Waterfront) whereby the winner of the competition will be the opening act at the KWJF2018.
Applications will be soon available and further announcements of the competition will be posted on KWJF2018’s Facebook and Instagram page.
KWJF2018 will also be conducting workshops on both afternoons of the two-day event.
The full line-up of KWJF2018 is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.
