As the Borneo Jazz Festival 2014 – Day 1 was fun and entertaining – in fact a class of its own, I was excited for the second day. I was there at 6.30pm, just on time for the Riam Road Secondary School Bruin’s Marching Band started to entertain the guests. Bruins’ Marching Band is the youngest marching band in Miri established back in 2006 and is currently the only musically certified marching band by the London Trinity Music Association.
Borneo Jazz Festival 2014 – YK Samarinda
The first jazz performance was YK Samarinda of Indonesia. YK Samarinda is an ethnic jazz hailed from East Kalimantan. They made and combined ethnic songs of Kalimantan in jazz rhythm. Of the years spent listening to jazz, I had not heard anything like YK Samarinda. They do not only play using modern instruments, they also use ‘sape’ which is a small Borneon guitar of two or three strings, synonymous with Orang Ulu’s traditional music and indispensable accompaniment to traditional dance. I was bewitched by the sape sound.
Borneo Jazz Festival 2014 – Iriao of Georgia
Another ethno jazz performer is the Iriao, an ethno-jazz band founded in Tbilisi, Georgia. Iriao’s repertoire is based on Georgian authentic folk instrumental and polyphonic music which has been recognized by UNESCO as being a masterpiece of oral immaterial heritage. Isn’t that impressive? I found the music of Iriao melancholy beautiful.
Borneo Jazz Festival 2014 – Anthony Strong
Introduced by the emcee as a cross between Jamie Cullum and Michael Buble, Anthony Strong lived up to the high standard set by Jamie Cullum and Michael Buble. Hailed as England’s new jazz superstar, Anthony Strong who is a singer & pianist sang songs from his debut album, ‘Stepping Out’ released in April 2013. Among others were Too Darn Hot (describing himself of course!), Dancing Cheek to Cheek (oh how I wish…), My Foolish Heart etc.
After finishing the performance, the crowd started to make sound and shout “We Want More”. He came out to sing the encore of L.O.V.E.
He was cheeky and playful. At one time, he even took a selfie with the crowd.
Anthony Strong, I am a big fan of yours since Borneo Jazz Festival 2014.
Borneo Jazz Festival 2014 – Brassballet of German
The finale act was performed by Brassballet, the first and only show where musicians are dancers at the same time. They performed a choreographed dance show on stage while they played their instruments live.
Definitely a must-see.
I screamed one time too many that I ended up losing my voice at the end of Borneo Jazz Festival 2014.
There’s another music festival in Sarawak this month. Check Rainforest World Music Festival 2014 – HERE.
Will you join me for next year Borneo Jazz Festival?