Click on the artistes' name for independent details.
| ANKE HELFRICH TRIO |
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Described as a gifted and sensitive pianist and composer – German born, Anke Helfrich, who cites Horace Silver and Thelonius Monk as major influences, formed the “Anke Helfrich Trio” in 1996 and won the European Jazz Competition in Leverkusen in the very same year and also took first prize in the Hennessy Jazz Competition 2 years later.
Supported By Martin Gjakonovski on Bass and Dejan Terzic on Drums, both highly sought after session musicians, Anke Helfrich, who latest album “Better Times Ahead” featuring Roy Hargrove, has performed in numerous concerts and Festivals throughout Europe and USA.
Their appearance at the Penang Island Jazz Festival was supported by Goethe Institut Malaysia. |
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BANGKOK CONNECTION
One of Thailand’s top Jazz / R&B / Funk / Soul outfits, The Bangkok Connection has been a main feature in many Festivals and venues throughout Thailand and around the region. The Band, who has been together for many years and have collaborated with many established performers in numerous projects.
Led by energetic “funky” guitarist / vocalist - “Hank The Groove”, the band’s repertoire comprised of originals and cover versions of popular jazz tunes done in their own unique style. |
BOB AVES JAZZ GROUP FEATURING GRACE NONO
Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, Producer and Musical Director - Bob Aves, a Berklee Graduate, has produced a number of award-winning albums in a wide range of musical genres.
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In a quest to rediscover and promote Philippine indigenous music, Bob switched to the Octavina, a Filipino traditional guitar,.and together with his wife, Grace Nono (award-winning Philippine-World music Artist/Producer) and a selected group of musicians, recorded the ground breaking Jazz-World Fusion album, “Translating The Gongs”, which received rave reviews from the international jazz circle.
The Bob Aves Jazz Group comprising of Simon Tan (Bass), Alvin Cornisto (Saxophones), Tusa Montes (kulintang/percussions), Rey Vinoya (Drums) and featuring Grace Nono, made their World Premier debut at the Festival.
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JOHN GOLDIE
John Goldie is without doubt a world class acoustic guitarist, incorporating a wide range of influences including jazz, blues, Celtic and funk.
A self-taught guitarist at the age of six, John gradually progressed to playing in Rock, Blues and Dance Bands at the tender age of twelve.
After a successful career as a sideman and session player, a chance meeting with jazz guitarist Martin Taylor led John to decide of a change of musical direction, duo gigs and eventually the award winning group Spirit of D’jango with which he collaborated on several CDs, tours and concerts at elite jazz venues such as Ronnie Scott’s.
As a solo artist, John, has released a number of albums, toured worldwide and is an endorsee of Martin Guitars and AER Acoustic Amplifiers. |
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JOSE THOMAS & GROOVE UNCTION Composer, Arranger, Music Director and Producer of many commercials, albums and shows – Axeman - Jose Thomas, has been a main fixture in the Malaysian Music scene for over 30 years and played a major role in the development of the Malaysian Jazz scene.
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Jose’s professional musical journey began in the early seventies with groups such as Zachariah Dash and Ages – a group that he toured with regionally from ’78 to ‘81. Upon his return to Malaysia, Jose, joined renowned Jazz Fusion outfit Asiabeat with which he recorded and performed with.
Jose formed Groove Unction 7 years ago – a group that boasts of some of the most talented young musicians in the current Malaysian Music scene with his son John Thomas on Drums, Tok Khon on Keyboards and Fly on Bass
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LEONARD TAN AND BEANSPROUTZ
Penang born, Leonard Tan, through sheer hard work and determination has gained the reputation of “The Man with Many Voices” with an uncanny ability to impersonate many renowned Artistes such as Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and others.
The voice behind numerous Jingles, Leonard, has performed extensively in many venues throughout Malaysia and has to date recorded 3 albums.
Wilson Jong on Keyboards, Shah on Bass, Sudin on Drums and Eric on Guitar, make up the group “BeanSproutz”.
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LOUIS SOLIANO QUARTET
Louis Soliano (Percussionist, Drummer and Vocalist), has performed in several ensembles touring many cities all over the world including Paris, London, Melbourne, Sydney, Las Vegas and has collaborated with numerous jazz personalities such as Stan Getz, Sarah Vaughn and Buddy Rich.
Recipient of the Compass Artistic Excellence Award for his achievements and contributions to the development of the Singapore music scene, Louis was voted Best Drummer in Asia by famed DownBeat magazine in the 1970s.
The members in the Louis Soliano Quartet comprised of West Virginia Young Artist competition winner – Tay Cher Siang (Piano), much sought after sessionist - Colin Yong (Bass / Flute) and Musical Director / Educator - Rick Smith (Guitar).
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NAH YOUN SUN
Recipient of many Awards, most notable of which are “The Young Artist of The Year” from the Dept. of Culture & Tourism of Korea, Grand Prizes for “France St. Maur Jazz” & “Jazz a Juan Revelation”. Nah Youn Sun’s astonishing talent has astounded audiences wherever she has performed.
The Backing Group consisted of some of Malaysia’s finest – Mac Chew on Keyboards, Andy Peterson on Bass, Wan Gigi on Guitars, Badar on Percussions and Gary Gideon on Drums.
Her musical journey has seen her performing in Clubs and Festivals in France, Australia, China, Korea and recently at the Lincoln Hall in USA.
Her latest album project reflects her willingness in taking up new challenges of breaking new grounds. In “ Memory Lane”, Nah maintains her identity as a jazz musician while creating the kind of music that transcends boundaries and is more readily appreciated by a wider audience.
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PAUL PONNUDORAI
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Widely recognised as one of the top Guitarists cum Vocalist in the Asia Pacific region, Paul Ponnudorai has been involved in almost every aspect of the music industry.
At the tender age of four, Paul picked up the ukulele and later taught himself to play the guitar. He started performing professionally at the age of seventeen and has since performed in many countries such as China, Italy, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, and shared the stage with a number of international jazz notables which include Billy Cobham, Toots Thielemans, Tommy Emmanuel, Tuck & Patti and Wynton Marsalis
Paul has to date released an album entitled “Right on Time” and was recently featured in Time Magazine. |
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POSSICOBILITIES
Consisting of musicians from the East and West with Bass Player, E.J. Parker and Drummer Chris Trzcinski from USA together with three Graduates from The Shanghai Conservatory of Music - Violinist, Peng Fei, Pianist, Huang Jianyi and Vocalist, Coco Zhao from China, “Possicobilities” is the brainchild of Charismatic Vocalist Coco Zhao who was dubbed “The Boy Billy Holiday from China” by the local Media in Paris when he was invited to appear in a Jazz Music Programme “La Boite de Jazz” and whilst performing in multiple renowned jazz clubs in Paris in 1997.
The group has a self-entitled album and were featured at The Montreal Jazz Festival in 2006. |
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THE IDEA OF NORTH
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The music of The Idea of North defies categorization. A Quartet of musicians using voices as instruments : Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass, with a little bit of vocal percussion thrown in, their sound and style is distinctly unique, crossing many musical genres – Jazz, Blues, Gospel, etc.
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Formed in 1997, The Idea of North is one of Australia’s very few professional Vocal quartets and has taken home a number of awards such as the USA “Harmony Sweepstakes” and the Australian Contemporary A Capella Recording Awards for Best Jazz Album & Jazz Best Song.
The Idea of North's appearance at the Festival was sponsored by The Australian High Commission and Musica Viva. |
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