The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to hold the inaugural greatest jazz festival of the year, “Jazz Royale Festival”, in order to honour His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as the world’s royal musician, on the occasion of his 80th birthday celebration in 2007. The event will be held during December 9-17, 2006, with more than 100 world-class artists and staff taking part. Led by Kenny G, McCoy Tyner, Nancy Wilson, Chris Botti, Regina Carter, and Dizzy Gillespie All Stars, the event will take place in four main cities of Thailand, comprising Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Part of the proceeds will go to H.M. the King’s royal patronage projects.
Tourism and Sports Minister, H.E. Dr. Suvit Yodmani said that the purpose of holding the “Jazz Royale Festival” is to celebrate H.M. the King’s 80th birthday on December 5, 2007. The event is aimed at attracting foreigners from both Asian and Western countries, including those who live in the Kingdom and locals. It is also in line with TAT’s plan to boost the Thai tourism industry and encourage international visitors to travel to Thailand. The Minister is also considering including the jazz festival in the calendar and encouraging tour agents to promote this event as one of the country’s attractions.
The festival will be held on four stages. It will take place in four cities. The first stage will start in Bangkok at Sanam Suea Pa during December 9-10. The second stage will follow at the Horseshoe Point in Pattaya during December 11-12. The third stage will be held at Sanam Hor Silp in Chiang Mai University during December 14-15, and the curtain will close at Karon Beach in Phuket during December 16-17.
On this occasion, all the artists will play H.M. the King’s musical works. This unprecedented event will be accounted as the biggest jazz festival in the country’s history.
The artists that have confirmed to participate are all well-known worldwide including:
Kenny G
Kenneth Gorelick, better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American saxophonist whose fourth album ‘Duotones’ brought him to fame in 1986.
Kenny’s main instrument is the soprano saxophone, but he also plays the alto and tenor sax on occasions.
McCoy Tyner
Alfred McCoy Tyner is Tyner’s full name. He is a jazz pianist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, best known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet. He once joined with John Coltrane, the world’s top five famous artist.
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James Moody
James Moody is one of the outstanding jazz saxophonists and flutists. A column in one leading newspaper once claimed that jazz can be divided into two categories - James Moody’s type of jazz and the other.Â
Dizzy Gillespie All Stars
Dizzy Gillespie All Stars is another jazz phenomena that has inspired new jazz faces to the industry.
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Paquito D’Rivera
Paquito D’Rivera is a Cuban-born, Grammy-winning jazz and classical saxophonist and clarinetist.
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Chris Botti
Chris Botti is an American trumpeter and composer; born in Portland, Oregon. The jazz heart-throb has a number of fans worldwide.
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Other artists include Marta Topferova, Ahmad Jamal, Cherryl Hayes, Claudio Roditi, Nancy Wilson, Regina Carter, and Georgie Fame.
 
 
Tickets are available at THB 2,000.00 per person
For more information, please contact TAT Call Center 1672.
Or
Ms. Tippawan Nuntachaiyod
Ms. Nam Kang Mee-Nguen
Creative Juice\G1
Tel: 08 1621 8666, 08 1988 5208, 08 9810 6566, or 08 1997 3560.
E-mail: jazzroyale@creativejuiceg1.com
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November 17th, 2006
As nice cool breeze is coming around the corner - we all know that its time for the 4th Bangkok Jazz Festival at Sanam Sua Pa in Bangkok again!
Jazz music lovers will be happy to know that this year the festival will be held during December 15-17 2006. Artists participated this year will be:
Friday, December 15 2006
Hiromi
Salena Jones
Lee Ritenour
Tower of Power
Saturday, December 16 2006
Asia Beat Project with special guests:
1). Narongrit Tosa-Nga (Ranad - Thai/Xylophone)
2). Vuthichai Jarungklin (Saw Duang - Thai/Fiddle)
3). Wanmongkol Mangkornkrit (Khlui - Thai/Flute)
4). Jazz Kamikaze (European)
5). Lisa Ono
6). Yellowjackets
Sunday, December 17 2006
Jirahan Angsawanon (Thai Band)
A.S.G.P.; Asian Super Guitar Project
Dave Grusin
World Star Jazz Jam
featuring: Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Bob Mintzer (yellowjackets), Alex Foster, Jirasak Panphoom and artists from Cresendo)
YellowJackets, Although sometimes grouped with Spyro Gyra, the Yellowjackets are actually one of the most creative regular groups in the “rhythm & jazzâ€? genre. Founded in 1981 as an R&B-oriented band that starred guitarist Robben Ford, the group took a giant step forward when, after Ford’s departure, altoist Marc Russo took his place. With original members Russell Ferrante on keyboards and electric bassist Jimmy Haslip, in addition to drummer William Kennedy, the band found its own R&B-ish sound, sometimes playing original compositions that sounded like Joe Zawinul at his most melodic.
Starting out on Warner Brothers in the early ’80s, the Yellowjackets moved to MCA/GRP in 1986, where they released a string of well-received albums. In the ’90s, Russo chose to go out on his own, and his replacement, Bob Mintzer (on tenor and bass clarinet), added more jazz credibility to the group’s music. They moved back to Warner Brothers in 1995 for several albums before moving the Heads Up label for the live two-CD set Mint Jam in 2002. 2003 saw the release of their first studio album in five years, Time Squared.
Hiromi Uehara, Pianist and composer Hiromi Uehara was born in Shizuoka, Japan, in 1979. At the age of six she started playing piano. Within a year, she was a student of the Yamaha School of Music, whose progressive approach to musical training allowed the young student to shape her technical skills, writing and performing. After relocating to the United States in 1999, she continued her studies at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, where she received a full scholarship.
It was there that Hiromi developed her varied musical taste, encompassing everyone from J.S. Bach to Sly & the Family Stone. While at Berklee, she also had the opportunity to play with jazz piano legends Oscar Peterson, Chick Corea, and her mentor, Ahmad Jamal. In 2003, Hiromi recorded her first disc, Another Mind, on the Telarc label, produced by Jamal. Brain was released a year later, followed by the pianist’s third trio album for Telarc, Spiral, in 2006.
Dave Grusin, University of Colorado graduate David Grusin was still in his early 20s when he began building his reputation as one of the best performer/composer/arrangers in the field of progressive jazz and instrumental pop. Grusin provided piano accompaniment for Andy Williams when the latter was just starting out in the late 1950s; he remained with Williams on and off for over a decade, serving as orchestra leader for TV’s The Andy Williams Show from 1963 to 1966. He also prepared arrangements for such artists as Benny Goodman, Quincy Jones and Paul Simon.
In partnership with Larry Rosen, Grusin established his own recording label in 1983; that same year, he won the first of his five Grammy Awards and still found time to compose main theme and background music for TV’s St Elsewhere. His motion-picture work has included scores for five Sydney Pollack Films. David Grusin won an Oscar for his score for The Milagro Beanfield War (1988, and has earned nominations for Heaven Can Wait (1978, The Champ (1979), My Bodyguard (1980), Tootsie (1981), The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) and The Firm (1993). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide.
Lee Mack Ritenour, 1 November 1952, Los Angeles, California, USA. The prolific Ritenour has established himself as one of the world’s leading jazz fusion guitarists with a series of accessible albums over the past two decades. Known as “Captain Fingersâ€?, Ritenour became a sought-after session player in the mid-70s and, like Larry Carlton (both regularly play a Gibson 335), has developed his own solo career. Although heavily influenced in his early days by the relaxed styles of Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass and Barney Kessel, he now has his own distinctive sound and fluid style. His list of session work is awesome, but some of his notable performances were with Herbie Hancock, Steely Dan and Stanley Clarke.
Since the mid-80s Ritenour has been strongly influenced by Brazilian music. He joined GRP Records around this time, having worked with stablemate Don Grusin in the band Friendship. He recorded the magnificent Harlequin with GRP co-owner Dave Grusin in 1985. In the early 90s Ritenour teamed up with Bob James, Harvey Mason and bass player Nathan East under the name of Fourplay, who have released a number of soul/jazz/funk fusion albums for Warner Brothers Records. In 1993 Ritenour topped the Billboard jazz chart with his accomplished tribute to Wes Montgomery, Wes Bound, and followed it in 1995 with an excellent joint album with Carlton. In 1997, Ritenour founded his own I.E. Music label. In 2001 he released a tribute to Bob Marley, placing reggae classics into a soft fusion setting.
Salena Jones is blessed with a rich voice of great resonance and beauty. Her gift of rendering sincere interpretations of stylish songs is unparalleled, whether they be mystical and sensuous ballads or more swinging renditions of up tempo songs. Through the power of her distinctive voice she has the ability to let you the listener increase your emotional repertoire.
It is the usual custom to simplistically label singers but it is difficult to easily categorise Salena Jones because she crosses so many musical borders - be they called jazz, blues, commercial pop, swing, latin, easy listening and so on. Salena’s remarkable versatility enables her to sing virtually any kind of song.
Salena is frequently and favourably likened to the greats of yester-year including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee, and she is acknowledged as one of the great singers performing in the world today
However, Salena was keen to come to London to developher career and she arrived in 1966: but only after escaping the clutches of the Spanish club owner who wanted Salena to contractually sign her life away, and after inadvertently living (and, she emphasises, innocently) in a brothel in Calais, whilst waiting for her permit to enter Britain! Salena has made her home in England ever since. One of her early London dates was at Ronnie Scott’s where her initial booking was extended to seven consecutive weeks: still believed to be the record for this world famous jazz club. Salena has appeared at most leading concert halls and venues throughout Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Holland, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Turkey, Austria and Bulgaria.
She has also made numerous television and radio broadcasts in Britain, and throughout Europe, often supported by the BBC Big Band. Further afield, Salena has performed in Australia, Africa, South America, China, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. Since her first visit to Japan in 1978 she has returned at least annually, appearing in concert halls, on television, radio and regularly at the Blue Note Jazz Clubs in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. Salena`s December concert showcased the album with a seventeen piece stringed ensemble, including her jazz quintet - at the Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall in their “Cool Yule� series. Early 2000 saw Salena starring at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho, backed by the Hank Jones` Quartet including such current luminaries as Russell Malone, Lewis Nash, and also featuring Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves and Freddie Cole.
On this USA trip Salena also appeared with her own trio for the first time at New York`s world famous Blue Note Jazz Club - when she became the first European-based artist to have appeared at all the Asian and the American Blue Note Clubs. One of her four sell-out shows was broadcast on the world wide web and also filmed for Japanese television. In March Salena made her three week return appearance at London`s Pizza on the Park, and she starred at the Peterborough Jazz Festival with the BBC Big Band. Salena`s association with the Band now goes back some twenty-five years and their famous leader, Mr Barry Forgie, has written many arrangements specifically for her.
Lisa Ono is one of the best Japanese interpreters of contemporary bossa nova. A singer, violonista (acoustic guitar player), and songwriter, she has had her albums released internationally. To date, she has recorded 12 albums (Catupiry, 1989; Nanã, 1990; Menina, 1991; Serenata Carioca, 1992; Namorada, 1993; Esperança, 1994; Minha Saudade, 1995; Rio Bossa, 1996; Essência, 1997; Bossa Carioca, 1998; Dream, 1999; and Pretty World, 2000) with special appearances by top artists like Tom Jobim, Sivuca, Paulo Moura, Danilo Caymmi, and Toots Thielemans. Having lived in Brazil until she was ten, she took advantage of her father’s connections — he was the owner of a concurred nightclub in the city of São Paulo and was Baden Powell’s manager.
Tower of Power, The renowned horn-driven funk outfit Tower of Power has been issuing albums and touring the world steadily since the early ’70s, in addition to backing up countless other musicians. The group’s leader since the beginning has always been tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, who was born in Detroit, but opted to pursue his musical dreams in Oakland, CA. It was in Oakland that Castillo put together a group called the Motowns, which as its name suggested, specialized in ’60s-era soul. Castillo teamed up with a baritone sax player (and Motowns fan) Stephen “Docâ€? Kupka, and soon the Motowns had transformed into Tower of Power (one of the first tunes the duo penned together was “You’re Still a Young Man,â€? which would eventually go on to be one of the TOP’s signature compositions). Tower of Power played regularly in the Bay Area throughout the late ’60s, as its lineup often swelled up to ten members, including such other mainstays as Greg Adams on trumpet and vocals and Rocco Prestia on bass. By 1970, the funk outfit had inked a recording contract with Bill Graham’s San Francisco Records, resulting in the group’s debut the same year, East Bay Grease, which failed to make an impression on the charts as TOP was still trying to find their own sound.
But it all came together quickly for the group, as 1972’s Bump City would touch off a string of classic hit releases, including 1973’s self-titled release (which included another one of the group’s most enduring tunes, “What Is Hip?â€?, 1974’s Back to Oakland, plus 1975’s Urban Renewal and In the Slot. While Tower of Power remained a must-see live act, the quality of their subsequent records became erratic, resulting in some admirable releases (Ain’t Nothin’ Stoppin’ Us Now, Live and in Living Color) and several uninspired albums that are best skipped over (We Came to Play, Back on the Streets).
Despite the dip in the quality of their albums, Tower of Power remained a much in-demand backing group for some of pop/rock’s biggest names, including Elton John, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Little Feat, David Sanborn, Michelle Shocked, Paula Abdul, Aaron Neville, Aerosmith, Michael Bolton, Billy Preston, PiL, Rod Stewart, Toto, Merl Saunders, and others. Tower of Power remains very active to this day, keeping up a brisk touring schedule and issuing such new albums as 1999’s Soul Vaccination: Live; while several compilations were issued around the same time: Rhino’s double disc What Is Hip?: The Tower of Power Anthology (1999) and Very Best of Tower of Power: The Warner Years (2001), plus Epic/Legacy’s Soul With a Capital “Sâ€?: The Best of Tower of Power (2001).
Jazz Kamikaze, With the release of the debut album, entitled Mission I, JazzKamikaze have completed a year of remarkable recognition. JazzKamikaze was founded in the beginning of 2005 as a project set for rapid success in the talent contest, Young Jazz, staged by the Danish Jazz Society. Eventually JazzKamikaze not only won the Danish leg, but also went on to take home the prestigious 1st price of the international contest, Young Nordic Jazz Comets, held at the Faeroe Islands in September 2005. This contest featured each domestic winner of the Nordic countries. Having just returned to Denmark with this honor, JazzKamikaze took no break and recorded the tracks for a future album despite having no record company involved at this stage.
As it turned out, this was soon to be changed as legendary “Stunt/Sundance Recordsâ€? showed immediate interest in the project and offered a recording contract. By December 5 2005, JazzKamikaze had released “Mission Iâ€? on Stunt Records and had received 2 awards, all done way before the 1-year-mark of the band’s existence. JazzKamikaze is a joining of 5 young musicians of Scandinavia including two Danes, two Norwegians and one Swede. The quintet plays modern acoustic jazz influenced by e.g. Joshua Redman, Chris Potter and Dave Holland. However, it’s difficult to pinpoint any exact source of inspiration as JazzKamikaze creates a sound of their very own.
In brief: It’s youthful, fresh, and energized power-jazz that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. The programme is composed by all members of the band. The pilots; Marius Neset (sax, b. 1985) Established himself in his native Norway as an extra-ordinary talent when he won the annual “Natjazzâ€?-award in the summer of 2004. Also a member of Django Bates’ Big Band and the jazz quartet, “pamâ€?. Morten Schantz (piano, b. 1980) Released in November 2004 his funk-influenced debut album as a leader entitled “Morten Schantz Segmentâ€?. The album received great reviews and turned out to be a success in Japan where “Ramblin’Recordsâ€? secured a license to release it in the fall of 2005. Daniel Heloy Davidsen (el. guitar, b. 1978 Has performed and written for some of the top acts of pop, rock and hip-hop in Denmark: Tue West, Nik & Jay, Outlandish & Jokeren to mention just a few. Daniel is a son of Norwegian parents although having lived his whole life in Denmark. Kristor Brodsgaard (double bass, b. 1979)
For the last decade Kristor has established himself on the jazz scene, working with e.g. Chris Potter, Chris Cheek, Tomas Franck, Bent Jadig a.o. Also producing and performing with Danish R’n'B-star, Karen and a member of the jazz trio, Trioscope, with whom he released a record in 2004. Anton Eger (drums, b. 1980) Anton is the Swedish represent of the band. He plays regularly with Django Bates’ Big Band, jazz vocalist Malene Mortensen’s ensemble and is a member of the jazz quartet, “pamâ€?.
A.S.G.P. ( Asian Super Guitar Project ), Watch out for the ASGP which is set to become the international Jazz Sensation. Eugene Pao, an extraordinary Jazz Guitarist from HK, Kazumi Watanabe (Japanese Guitar Hero), joined by Rising Star Korean Guitarist Jack Lee (leader of his own group Asianergy, and the producer for Bob James’ Angels of Shanghai ensemble).
What has emerged is a unique guitar trio with a very distinct, subtle, and dynamic Sound Mixing Different Cultures, and Ethnic influences from Three Great Asian Countries., Japan , China and Korea. Formed in summer 2006 they gather in Seoul during couple of weeks to jam and interact with their new compositions which are well worked out pieces giving a lot of attention to musical form, individual sound and an immense dynamic spectrum.
The trio is augmented with legendary percussionist Lewis Pragrasam from Malaysia, innovator of new trends in World Music and what makes this exceptional ensemble successful in their live appearances is their m?lange of earthy groove, spontaneous interaction, vital presentation and whole hearted enjoyment of musical flow.
To view more information, please click on:
http://www.bangkokjazzfestival.com/
For ticketing information, please click on:
http://www.thaiticketmaster.com/
November 15th, 2006
MOST recommended site to visit first will be The Royal Pavilion. A truly manificent Royal Pavilion constructed in the exquisite Lanna architectural style. The Royal Pavilion is located right in the heart of the event site housing exhibits related to His Majesty the King’s work and dedication. Designed to be the center of the knowledge, Royal Pavilion is an important element in Royal Flora Expo. With a total area of over 6,000 square meters, the Royal Pavilion has 2 floors and is part wood, part concrete. An exhibition called “An Agricultural King - A Brilliance that Benefits the People” will be housed on the 1st floor.
The 2nd floor of the Royal Pavilion will contain murals depicting activities of His Majesty the King. The murals are being painted by a famous Thai National Artist, Preecha Taothong, who also designed The Royal Virtue Tree, which by the time the exposition ends, will have 21,915 leaves — the number of days His Majesty the King has been on the throne. Each leaf is embossed with one of the Ten Royal Virtues — guidelines based on the teachings of the Lord Buddha that have been observed by Thai kings for generations. These virtues are meant to bring about good and just government, and include integrity, sacrifice, compassion and kindness.
There are three tiers of leaves, each with a different color. The leaves on the bottom tier are a coppery red, and relate to the time when His Majesty had recently acceded to the throne and began taking an interest in agricultural matters. The leaves in the middle are golden, symbolizing the time when his projects started to yield successful results and improve peoples’ lives. The leaves on the upper tier are the color of platinum, and symbolize the present day sixty years since His Majesty’s accession.
Residents of Thailand will be able to pay tribute to His Majesty the King by making a contribution of 999 baht (approximately USD 24). Each contributor will get one leaf to help complete the Royal Virtue Tree, and will receive a certificate as a memento of their contribution.
Another most-visited zone in the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 is the international garden zone featuring flora from 33 countries. The gardens from the countries of Bhutan, Japan, China, The Netherlands, Belgium and Laos seem to be the most crowded site.
“The Himalayan Garden of Peace” by Bhutan has won the 3rd prize from 33 countries participating in the International Horticulture Exhibition the “Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006″ at Chiang Mai during November 01 2006-January 31 2006.
The garden consists of boundary wall with carvings of the Eight Lucky signs, Geykars and main gate with Bhutanese carvings; chukhor mani dedicated for the long life and good health of Thai King and Peace on Earth; a sangthap; a bridge of friendship with the carvings of Blue poppy, Ratchaphruek, the Royal Flora of Thailand and Thuenpa Puen zhi, and a resting pavilion. The Garden also displays diversity of fruit and aromatic plants and orchids from Bhutan.
Pictures from www.nationalmultimedia.com , www.manager.co.th, Ministry of Agricultural, Bhutan
November 7th, 2006
W Hotels, the world’s fastest growing style hotel brand, today announced plans to open its first hotel in Thailand. W Retreat & Residences-Koh Samui will be the brand’s third retreat in the world, following W Maldives which opened in September 2006 and W Vieques, scheduled to open in late 2007. The newly built 70-villa W Retreat & Residences-Koh Samui will cater to upscale leisure travelers when it opens in late 2008. W Koh Samui will be located on a 26 acre site on Maenam Beach, at the north shore of Koh Samui, arguably the best location on Koh Samui, given its secluded beach and interesting topography which will provide all rooms with excellent views. The retreat will feature 70 villas, each approximately 1,722 square feet (160 square meters ), W’s signature Living Room and lounge, one signature restaurant, a pool bar and a signature spa. Guests can indulge in W’s infamous beds as well as be treated to W’s signature Whatever/Whenever service commitment, the hotel’s 24-hour concierge that provides guests with whatever they want, whenever they want it. W Koh Samui will be located on a 26 acre site on Koh Samui is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 435 miles south of Bangkok, and is the third largest Thai island, following Phuket and Koh Chang. W Retreat & Residences-Koh Samui will be located on Maenam Beach, on the north shore of Koh Samui. Maenam is one of the island’s more secluded and private beaches and offers one of the best windsurfing and snorkeling sites, as well as intimate restaurants in the village. Maenam is also within close proximity to the Koh Samui airport, golf course and Chaweng town. W Hotels is a global lifestyle brand with 21 properties in the most vibrant cities around the world. Inspiring and indulging its guests with thoughtful, refreshing and stylish experiences, signature restaurants, bars and destination spas, W has become the fastest growing luxury hotel brand in the world. Source: ehotelier.com
Qantas Group’s valued based airline Jetstar has commenced its long haul international operations with its firt flight taking off from Melbourne to Bangkok on November 25 2006.
Four koalas from Australia arrived in Chiang Mai safe and sound to a raturous welcome from local residents this week.