ADIBAH NOOR (Malaysia)

A Lady with exceptional talents, Adibah began her journey in the entertainment world by bagging the Grand Prize in the Suara ‘90an Nescafe competition in 1994. Adibah is also a voice-over talent, emcee and has acted in a number of notable films such as Sepet, Gubra and Mukhsin.

In 2005, Adibah achieved a milestone in her musical career by releasing her album entitled “Terlalu Istimewa” which won Awards for Best Vocal and Best Song at Anugerah Juara Lagu 2006.  Joining her on stage are Faizal Uzir (Lok U) on keyboards, Syed Sharir Faisal Syed Husain (Robot) on Bass, Muriz Che Ros (Cip) on Saxophones and Afendi Mokhtar (Sotong) on Drums.

Festival pictures:

PASCOAL MEIRELLES TRIO (Brazil)

Drummer and Composer, Pascoal Meirelles, began his professional career as a drummer at the age of 18. Initially self taught, Pascoal later studied music and became the first Brazilian drummer to graduate from the renowned Berklee College of Music and has worked with many performers such as Tom Jobim, Ivan Lins, Paulo Moura, Joao Bosco and was one of the Founders of one of the most successful instrumental groups in Brazil - “Cama de Gato”.

The Trio includes one of the most sought after Guitar Players in Brazil who has performed and recorded in more than 100 CDs, GIT Graduate, Composer and Arranger - Nelson Faria, and Bassist Andre Neiva, who has also worked with many Performers as a Producer, Arranger and Sideman for over 100 albums and shows.

JAUME VILASECA QUARTET featuring VIOLETTA CURRY

Pianist / Keyboardist, Jaume Vilaseca studied piano and classical harmony at the Municipal Conservatory of Barcelona and at an early age, performed and recorded as a sideman for a number of International Artists and has also collaborated and composed musical scores for various theatre productions

The members of the Quartet comprises of some of the most outstanding figures in the Barcelona Music scene - Saxophonist Victor de Diego, Bassist Dick Them, Drummer Ramon Diaz and the bluesy, soulful vocals of Philadelphia born Violtetta Curry, who was greatly influenced by her jazz pianist father Paul Curry in her early years and has performed with the Quartet in clubs and Festivals in Europe and Latin America.  

DJABE feat. Steve Hackett (Hungary & UK)

Hungary’s top jazz / world fusion band, Djabe, formed 12 years ago, is a regular in the European Festival circuit and has won numerous Hungarian and International Awards with it’s unique musical style that combines elements of jazz with Hungarian music. Djabe which means Freedom in the “African Ashanti” language consists of Tamas Barabas on bass, Egerhazi Atilla on guitar, Banai Szilard on drums, Kovacs Zoltan on piano / keyboards and Kovacs Ferenc on trumpet and violin.

Joining Djabe on stage as a featured performer is former Genesis Guitarist Steve Hackett, who has earned a reputation as being one of UK ’s finest composers and guitarists. 

ASEANA PERCUSSION UNIT (Malaysia)

Celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary as a group this year, the Aseana Percussion Unit, comprising of multi-talented musicians, is recognized as one of Malaysia's foremost Contemporary Jazz / World Fusion Groups.

This highly entertaining and energetic group, regard themselves as Malaysian Music Ambassadors in maintaining their Malaysian identity by incorporating various ethnic musical instruments from their respective cultures with Western musical styles have performed in many major festivals in Malaysia and around the region.

Aseana Percussion Unit comprises of Edwin Nathaniel, Jerry Ventura, Justin Lim, Sanjiv Daevin, Krshna Pathmasingam, Mark David, Prema Yin, Chen Kam Chien, Kamrulbahri Hussin, Jude Fernandez, Philip Robert and Kirubakaran.

ISLAND JAZZ CONNECTION (Malaysia)

A project initiated by The Festival in celebration of it’s 5 th Anniversary, The Island Jazz Connection comprises of Penang born talents from various musical backgrounds with a common passion for jazz.

The group, which combines the knowledge of experience and the enthusiasm of youth, consists of Berklee Graduate and Music Educator - Wilson Quah on Keyboards, Frankie Chai on Bass, Multi-instrumentalist William Scully on Alto Saxophone, Kelvyn Yeang on Guitar, Drummer - Jonathan Scully, Musical Producer and Tenor Saxophonist - Adil Johan and features the soulful Voice of Ray Rozells.

JEON YOUNGSE TRIO (Korea)

Formed in 2005, the Jeon YoungSe Trio has performed in many major Festivals and jazz clubs. Pianist - Jeon YoungSe, who was voted “promising next generation jazz pianist” by Korean jazz magazine “Jazzpeople”, overcame his obstacle on lack of sight with a natural talent and an excellent ear for music, majored in the classics at an early age and turned to jazz in the later part of his career.

Supporting Jeon YoungSe on bass is Kim Young Hoo who majored in classical contrabass and leader of his own jazz quintet “Moonbounce” and versatile drummer, Kim Sang Heon who attracted attention when he emerged as the winner in the Korean Drum Festival which subsequently led to him being a sessionist for many Korean Artists.

RAY HARRIS & THE FUSION EXPERIENCE (UK)

Ray Harris & The Fusion Experience is the brainchild of Ray Harris, an exceptionally talented keyboard player who pushes jazz into the electronic slipstream with an experimental fusion of Jazz, Funk & Soul.

Citing his opening for “The Godfather of Soul” James Brown and The Average White Band as highlights of his career, Ray Harris, received the “Brewin Dolphin Best Newcomer” Award at “The Marlborough International Jazz Festival” in 2007. Members of The Fusion Experience include John Paul Speirs (Bass), Jamie Thomas McGory (Drums), Signy Jakobsdottir (Percussions), Euan Malloch (Guitar) and Marie Claire Lee (Backing Vocals).

FRIEND N FELLOW (Germany)
Sunday, 7th December 2008
9pm - 9.40pm

In the music of Friend N Fellow, the intensity of blues, the sound of soul and freedom of jazz unite in a truly unique way. The two exceptionally talented musicians with a combination of Constanze Friend’s sultry expressive voice and Thomas Fellow’s masterful acoustic guitar playing crosses stylistic borders.

The duo, who have been performing together since 1991, have recorded many albums and performed in numerous Concerts and Festivals all over the world.

Official website
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TRAN MANH TUAN BAND (Vietnam)
Sunday, 7th December 2008
9.50pm - 10.30pm

Hanoi born, Tuan, hails from a family of Stage Performers of “Cai Long”, a South Vietnamese traditional theatrical art style. Classically trained, Tuan “discovered” jazz in his mid teens and became the first Vietnamese student to get a full scholarship to study at the renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston.

A frequent performer on television and concerts in Vietnam and abroad, Tuan who operates the “Jazz N Art” bar has performed and recorded with many Vietnamese and international Artistes.

Members of his band include Arlene Estrella (Vocals), Le Quoc Hung (Drums), Pham Tuan Hung (Piano / Keyboards), Phan Thanh Tan (Bass), Thomas Lee Koenig (Guitar) and Cao Ho Nga (Traditional Instruments)

ANDY PETERSON INC. (Malaysia)
Sunday, 7th December 2008
10.40pm - 11.20pm

API (which means fire in Malay), depicts the intensity and energetic musical style of the band which is the brainchild of Andy Peterson - one of the top bass players in the Asia Pacific region.

The band which includes Albert Sirmal on Vocals and some of the most talented younger musicians in Malaysia – John Thomas (drums), Justin Lim (keyboards) and Genervie Kam (Violin) debuted at the Fringe Stage of the 3rd edition of The Penang Island Jazz Festival initially as a trio has performed at the MOSAIC Music Festival in Singapore, Jarasum Jazz Festival in Korea and Taichung Jazz Festival in Taiwan.

2008 Performers

They came, they played and they charmed the crowds. Check out the masters of music here

Supporting Events

Everyone loved being part of the Festival. Find out how they enjoyed themselves with our activities in store.

Competition

Congratulations to Sia Kudos and Ronald Vincenzo K De Leon of Quartal F.L.A.V.O.R.!

This Charity Dinner is in aid of providing for the less fortunate, underprivileged women and children.