For the first time in the country’s music scene, an international jazzfest will be held in true Woodstock fashion. The 1st International Jazz and Arts Festival will run for four consecutive days—kicking off with a street party at The Podium on Friday, Jan. 20 and finishing at the Greenbelt Fountain on Monday, Jan. 23. The main event, however, will take place simultaneously in the Airport Casino Filipino Amphitheater and on two stages at the Harbor Square CCP, with uninterrupted performances from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. the following day.
The Amphitheater will be graced by renowned jazz legends from all over the world, the likes of Kevyn Lettau, Eumir Deodato, Sirocco, Charmaine Clamor, and Vernie Varga. The featured acts on Stage One include the ethnic jazz sounds of Grace Nono and Bob Aves, the UP Jazz Ensemble, sax phenom Alvin Cornista, Nyko Maca, swingreggae band Brownbeat Allstars, jazz super-band Affinity, Brass Munkeys, among others; while Stage Two will showcase Romy Posadas, Henry Katindig , Colby dela Calzada, Koko Bermejo, Mishka Adams, JunJun Regalado, Bituin Escalante, Cynthia Alexander, and many more. All in all, there will be over 400 other multinational artists and musicians during the entire festival. There will also be a wide selection of musical clinics and workshops, film showings, food booths, kiddie rides, and bazaars showcasing crafts from various regions of the Philippines.
The organizers, The Jazz Society of the Philippines and The Department of Tourism, have put together this event to create awareness and pride in the Filipino’s musical talent, and to serve as a platform to showcase the Filipino artists skills in jazz, up front and center. "This will enrich our local jazz community, as well as develop our international relations," says Sandra Lim-Viray, jazz vocalist and president of The Jazz Society of the Philippines. The Philippines, despite being known as the "Jazz Center in Asia", has never actually held its own international jazz festival—until now.
Tickets for this must-see event are available at Ticketnet, Ticketworld, The CCP Harbor Square and Casino Filipino. For more details, log onto wwww.pijazzfest.com.
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