KUCHING: The third edition of the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) is all set to start tonight showcasing renowned and upcoming local and international talents. Around 3,000 jazz lovers are expected to flock to the event at MBKS Community Hall tonight and tomorrow night.
The performers for tonight include Ning Baizura, Harvey Malaihollo, Z Yan, Xanaduduo, Q Sound and the winner of KWJF Jazz Band Search 2019, and The Fingerints. Ning Baizura will be on stage for 45 minutes at 10.15pm tomorrow performing nine songs that include ‘Kau Dan Aku’ and ‘Awan Yang Terpilu’.
Sarawak’s own Xanaduduo will play some jazz blues numbers of the 1930s tomorrow from 8pm until 8.30pm.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference yesterday at Grand Margherita Hotel, the KWJF 2019 festival curator, Gracie Geikie, said the festival was aimed at nurturing local talents and to present Kuching as a good brand within the international music industry.
“The annual music festival was created in 2017 by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) to give prominence to the scenic Kuching Waterfront while also serving as a platform to nurture and inspire local talents.
“We hope that the festival would help to promote Sarawak tourism,” she said.
On the change of venue from the water front to MBKS hall, the festival director Edwin Abit said they might also change the annual date starting next year to avoid the haze around September.
“We might change the date, but it needs to be evaluated properly first,” he said.
During the concert, N95 face masks, sponsored by Shine Pharmacy, will be given to the festival goers to keep everyone safe and comfortable. This year’s corporate social responsibility efforts by KWJF will help raise funds for selected charities including Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), The Penan Women Project, Kuching Autistic Association and Sarawak Community-based Rehabilitation Centre.
Autographed posters signed by the artistes will be sold during the event. To buy tickets, check out www.kuchingwaterfrontjazz.com or jus
t go to the festival venue.
