Just like other music genres, jazz too has its band of purists who swear by their music. And many of them may perhaps rue the dwindling number of mainstream jazz acts at the Dubai festival over the years. Nevertheless, this showpiece is one of the premier music festivals in the region, featuring top notch international acts. This time too, music lovers can expect quality fare at the 9th edition of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival.
The festival kicks off today at the The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), and ends with the grand finale on February 18 at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. It features 50 hours of live music over 30 days.
The event is spread over three segments, starting with the Jazz World sessions at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence where a local, European and American musicians will perform al fresco concerts. The sessions will then move on to the du Jazz Garden at the Dubai Media City. These sessions are free but online registration is required. Following this are the Main Gigs, which are spread over three nights at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Tickets for the Main Gigs nights are already up for sale.
One of the top performers is veteran British pianist Jools Holland. He and a host of other headline acts featuring guitarist Peter White, singers Macy Gray, Alison Moyet, Mica Paris, saxophonist Mindi Abair, Mexican American saxophonist/singer Jessy J, singer-guitarist Joshua Radin and Grammy Award-winning rock band Train will make this event a memorable affair. We check out the top acts at the festival.
Jools Holland
Better known to fans as the presenter of the BBC's music shows Later and Hootenanny, this veteran British pianist and leader of the Rhythm and Blues Orchestra has been performing for more than three decades. He is one of the finest boogie-woogie piano players and is as much at ease with big band music as with other genres that could transport listeners back to the 1920s. Holland has performed with many musicians and his most successful track was the one with The Fine Young Cannibals titled the Good Thing.
Peter White
If you're blindfolded and made to listen to Peter White's music, you'd be fooled into believing you were listening to a set featuring Earl Klugh, Lee Ritenour and Bob James. So close is the guitarist's sound to these jazz greats that listening to his cool compositions is an uplifting experience. For the uninitiated, the award-winning British Smooth Jazz musician's guitar strains can be heard all over Al Stewart's chartbuster Year of the Cat. White also performed on Stewart's Time Passages album before branching off to pursue a solo career. Since then he has collaborated with many celebrated jazz musicians including Grover Washington Jr, Dave Koz, Gato Barbieri, Rick Braun, Craig Chaquico, Jeff Golub, Lee Ritenour, The Rippingtons, Kirk Whalum, Boney James, Chuck Loeb and Basia.
Mindi Abair
The American contemporary jazz saxophonist with a strong Top 40 pop music background has toured and recorded with a host of artists including Peter White on his Christmas album. Her sound echoes strains of past decades, specifically the 1960s and early 1970s, the era that produced some of the best R&B, soul and funk music.
Alison Moyet
Performing since the 1980s, Alison Moyet is one of pop's greatest survivors. The British singer recently livened up the proceedings when she joined Jools Holland and a line-up of other stars to bring in the New Year on BBC TV's Jools' Annual Hootenanny show. The singer's recent work includes a recording of The Man That Got Away on Holland's album Rockinghorse for which she toured extensively with the pianist. Moyet's music style encompasses punk, soul and electronic pop. And if things go well, you stand a chance to see Moyet jam with Holland at the festival.
Macy Gray
American R&B and soul singer Macy Gray's singing style is heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Tina Turner. She has won many accolades, including two Grammy Awards, and two MTV awards. Her single I Try from her multi-platinum debut album On How Life Is brought her into the limelight and won her her first Grammy.
Mica Paris
British soul queen Mica (pronounced Misha) Paris traces her music roots to soul and gospel, which she developed while singing in the church choir since her young days. Her journey in show business began when she was picked up as a backing vocalist for the British band Hollywood Beyond. After spending a couple of years with the group, she started her solo career. She extended her early influences to incorporate hip-hop, house, R&B and Motown grooves which can be heard in her albums. Paris took a long break from music for television and radio assignments, returning to music when she recorded the critically-acclaimed album Born Again in 2009.
Train
The Grammy Award-winning US rock band is reputed to be one of America's hottest live acts. When the band was formed it only had two members, Patrick Monahan (lead vocals) and Rob Hotchkiss (guitar/vocals). The band's current line-up comprises Monahan, Jimmy Stafford (guitar), and Scott Underwood (drums), with bassist Hector Maldonado and keyboardist Jerry Becker joining them on tours.
Chillout Jazz World
When January 20 to 28Where The Walk, JBRHow FreeTimings First act 8pm, last act 9:30pmJan 20
Blue Light Collective, B.B. &
The Blues Shacks
Jan 21
Eddie Misk Band, Mike Andersen & Band
Jan 22
Marwan & The Mojos featuring Danielle Booysen, Paul Lamb & Band featuring Chad Strenz
Jan 23
Exceed, Marc Tee & Band
Jan 24
Flip Side, European All-Star Jam
Jan 25
Dwight Dickerson 4tet, Larry Garner & Band
Jan 26
Fatiniza,Sax Gordon and Raphael Wressing & Band
Jan 27
Serge Bikhazi Blues Band, Sharrie Williams & Band
Jan 28
Kaleidoscope, American
Du Jazz Garden
When February 8 to 15
Where At Dubai Media City
How Free if you register on www.dubaijazzfest.com.Dh150 for walk-in guests
Timings First act 8pm, lastact 9:30pm
Feb 8
Ian Shaw, Nate Harasim
Feb 9
Ronnie Scott’s Jam Night, Marion Meadows
Feb 10
Cleveland Watkiss, Bob Baldwin
Feb 11
Get The Blessing, Down To The Bone
Feb 12
Soweto Kinch, Daren Rahn
Feb 13
Neil Cowley Trio, Elizabeth Mis
Feb 15
Arun Ghosh, Julian Vaughn
Main Gigs
When February 16 to 18Where Dubai Media CityHow Tickets cost Dh975, Dh495, Dh350, Dh275, available from all Virgin Megastore outlets in the UAE and online from www. itptickets.com and Virgin online ticketing. For more information call 04 391 1196. Timings First act 7pm, Second act 8:45pm, last act 10:30pmFeb 16
Mica Paris,Jools Holland, Alison Moyet
Feb 17
Mindi Abair and Peter White, Macy Gray, Lifehouse
Feb 18
Jessy J, Joshua Radin, Train
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