Rafal Sarnecki Quintet to perform at Penang International Jazz Festival
Set to take place at its regular spot at the Bayview Beach Resort from 1 – 4 December, the
four-day festival will run through a selection filtered from over 400 bands which applied each year.
Back for the 12th edition, the stellar lineup this year includes Mathias Heise, one of the very few jazz harmonica players from Denmark. Already an established artists, Mathias has already performed with popular names such as Niels Lan Doky, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Ira Coleman, and Danish jazz’ grand old man Hugo Rasmussen, among others. Voted as the ‘New Jazz Star of The Year’ in 2015 in Denmark, he was also the chromatic harmonica World Championship in Trossingen, Germany in 2013.
In its effort to continue its support for the Malaysian Jazz scene, the festival is presenting a trio which to include some of the biggest names in the local music scene. Bihzhu and Liyana Fizi will be joining ‘The James Boyle Trio’ in a performance which to include the respected Ruslan Imam, multiple award winner James Boyle, and leading drummer Ruvi Ruslan.
Other lineups include Joshua Davis performing a blend of American music with gritty rock n’ roll and vintage soul; Vladimir Cetkar Trio bewitching us with his magical jazz guitar alongside his passion and wide repertoire; Rafal Sarnecki Quintet originally from Warsaw Poland; Rotterdam-based fusion band – Marutyri; a classic Korean Jazz band Kim Oki Band; Timo Vollbrecht: Fly Magic and a many more.
If you are a newbie to Jazz, fret not as tickets to the festival are also sold for separate days. Take a step back, watch the setting sun and enjoy the festival by the sandy beach at Bayview Beach Resort – a tropical jazz festival by the sea is not so bad after all.