Jazz lovers, take note. The annual Penang Island Jazz Festival is returning for its 12th year in George Town. From 3 – 6 December, the longest running jazz event in Malaysia is set to kick December off with a huge musical bang. For the main stage event, “Jazz by the Beach”, festival goers can expect a wide variety of musical styles throughout the international lineup. Some of the eagerly anticipated acts include Makiko Hirabayashi Trio featuring Marilyn Mazur and Klavs Hovman, CaboCubaJazz, Tobias Preisig Quartet and more.
Aside from that, there are other activities and music gigs lined up at different locations on the island. The festival will start off with an Opening Concert – “An Acoustic Evening” 23 Love Lane featuring Liyana Fizi with Darrin Rozells and members of Penang’s Fingerstyle Guitar Hub. On Friday evening, sit in for a talk on Penang’s musical history and enjoy a performance of music from the 1930 -1960s era by the Northern Jazz Unit. Then end it with a Friday Night Jazz Jam session with CaboCubaJazz.
For the night owls, there will also be an “After Hours Jazz Session” happening after performances end at the main stage. Meanwhile, early risers can head over to The Spice Garden on Saturday for a musical experience amongst the lush greenery set atop a hill.
Tickets to the main stage event “Jazz by the Beach” at The Bayview Beach Resort Gardens in Batu Ferringhi are priced at RM85 per day or RM150 for both Saturday and Sunday. Other events are free for all to attend.
For more information, visit Penang Island Jazz Festival’s website or FB page.
Lyn Ong
Read this next: Play it Again: The Music of Alfonso Soliano
Check out: Where I’m Coming From: Froya
