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After taking a few days to get over traveling nearly half-way around the world and dealing with a 13-hour time zone difference, it’s finally a good time to reflect on my recent whirlwind trip to Malaysia for the 2011 Penang Island Jazz Festival (PIJF). It was an unforgettable first encounter with Asia, and will hopefully not be the last. Having spent considerable time at European and North American festivals over the past few years, it was immediately evident that festivals in this neck of the woods face an entirely different set of challenges.

Read more after the jump…

The country itself was gorgeous, and despite the brevity of the trip, the festival made sure there was a chance to see at least some of it, with an informative Temple Tour of George Town, a terrific night out at a Chinese fusion restaurant, and an opportunity to see the city’s spice garden, which also served as a lovely location for a showcase of three young Malaysian performers, making for an interesting introduction to what was to come in the following days – and a pleasantly informal way to get acquainted with the other foreign media invited to the festival and the people working PIJF. What became clear, very quickly, was that Malaysia’s jazz community, growing to be sure, is still relatively nascent, and hungry for information and guidance, making the festival’s Island Jazz Forum a particularly
valuable daytime event.

It was a pleasure to personally participate in the Island Jazz Forum, and our panel certainly seemed to engender valuable discussion, both during the formal panel and afterwards, where many of us were approached, one-on-one. The panel addressed – from the perspective of five journalists and festival organizers from around the world – how jazz is aiding in the promotion of global harmony and a cultural cross-pollination where individual traditions are respected and encouraged, but with a goal of creating a whole truly greater than the sum of its individual parts…and different as well. This kind of programming
is essential at any festival, to go beyond the entertainment value and to help educate its audience and provide essential services to local musicians, but it is particularly important at PIJF, because of the nascency of its jazz community. It’s still relatively early days, when compared it to Europe and North America, rendering the need for such educational programming all the more essential. There’s plenty of catching up to do, and there are many questions that need to be answered on a wide range of subjects.

PIJF could program a similar forum for the next 20 years and still have plenty of new topics to address, each and every year. Hopefully this will be an ongoing event in future years of PIJF. It also became clear, over the course of four days in Malaysia, that programming a jazz festival in Penang represents a completely different set of requirements. PIJF struck a great balance of local, relatively regional (speaking of Asia) and more broadly international acts, essential if a festival is to gain an identity that supports its own artists (as not all festivals do, unfortunately). Clear draws like Shakatak were balanced with acts like Espen Eriksen Trio – risky, to some extent, because the pianist’s trio doesn’t perform any known/familiar material, yet its innate lyricism gave it widespread appeal, even for those previously unaware of the group, while gently challenging them to consider music that stretches definitions and preconceptions. Clearly the festival is succeeding.

On the subject of supporting the local acts, the Creative Malaysia showcase was proof that PIJF is not just looking to build itself as a jazz festival that brings in great acts, it sees itself as having a responsibility to nurture local talent, and provide them with a venue for exposure – to fans, to be sure, but especially to the foreign media representatives, who may be able to help promote them to a broader international audience. While some acts were better than others, as would be expected, they were all worth hearing, with Aseana Percussion Unit and guitarist/vocalist Paul Ponnudorai – a seasoned professional, to be
sure, but undoubtedly an international star waiting to happen – putting on particularly impressive performances.

Penang Island Jazz Festival could, of course, exist strictly as an event of appealing live performances from a variety of artists, but by carefully stretching the ears of its fan base, it’s doing more. With the introduction of Creative Malaysia and Island Jazz Forum, PIJF is positioning itself as a more socially conscious festival, one that sees itself as a means to educate and promote at the all-important grass roots level.

And that’s exactly as it should be.

Musicians, festival programmers and music marketing industry personnel have come to acknowledge the potential of the festival as a platform for the creative music marketing
industry with its willingness to introduce and experiment on musical styles, forms and projects normally not readily associated with a jazz festival in this part of the world.

Last year, 2011, festival directors from PIJF were invited to attend :

• And participate in pitch and roundtable sessions by the Creative New Zealand programme as part of the international delegation personnel
• jazzahead in Bremen, Germany as an international guest
• Norway Jazz in A Nutshell annual programme as an international guest
• And deliver a presentation on the festival at the Bangkok City of Jazz Conference
• And be part of a panel for the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival “In Dialogue With Jazz” session

MILESTONE Signing of “MOU”
In October 2011, The Penang Island Jazz signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one of the biggest jazz festivals in Asia – The Jarasum International Jazz Festival in Korea.

The MOU was to officially seal an understanding that has been in existence since the time when both festivals began in 2004 and also to establish a further collaboration between both Festivals in terms of promoting tourism, sharing of culture and exchanging information and technology for the further development of both festivals.

• Thursday, Dec 1st, 2011 at 7.45-8.15pm at Sundown @ Tropical Spice Garden
• Friday, Dec 2nd, 2011 at 3.45-4.15pm at Batu Jazz Stage, Lone Pine Hotel
• Saturday, Dec 3rd, 2011 at 4.30-5.00pm at G Stage, G Hotel

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Formerly one-half of the popular pop-jazz band Rhapsody, Bihzhu (Nicole Foo) has set the stage alight with her sultry vocals at several venues around the Klang Valley, at the Pangkor Laut Resort, KL Sing Song Festival and the Fringe Stage of the 2006 and 2009 editions of the Penang Island Jazz Festival.

With her love for jazz, soul, reggae, acapella, world music and pop, Bihzhu meshes her musical influences and her life experiences into a light-hearted and melodic smorgasbord that shines with honesty, earnestness, beauty and love.

As one of the contributors and performers for the “Share The Love” compilation Project, Bihzhu blossomed as a songwriter, developing a style of her own leading to the recording of her debut solo album ‘Nightingale Tales’.

• Friday, Dec 2nd, 2011 at 4.30pm at G Stage, G Hotel
• Saturday, Dec 3rd, 2011 at 3.45pm at Rock Stage, Hard Rock Hotel Penang
• Sunday, Dec 4th, 2011 at 3.50pm at BayviewCorner, Bayview Beach Resort

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What started off as an experimental jazz band, Elixir – a band founded by “finger style” guitarist, Daniel Mojina, has in the past 3 years come a long with performing in several events and venues around Sabah and recently at the KK Jazz Festival. With a mixed cocktail of acoustic, folk, jazz and country sounds, Elixir creates and delivers a warm and relaxing atmosphere with their sound and musical style.

Other members of the band include seasoned performer and sessionist – bass player Edward Jack, multi-instrumentalist Gavin Lawrence Nicholas on saxophone and fronting the band is a young talented singer who cites Billy Holiday, Ray Charles and Norah Jones as huge influences – Gina Mojina on vocals.

• Saturday, Dec 3rd, 2011 at 3pm at Pavilion Stage, ParkRoyal Resort, Penang
• Sunday, Dec 4th, 2011 at 4.40pm at Bayview Corner, Bayview Beach Resort

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A multi-talented performer, Aqasha is both at ease in the music and acting areas of the entertainment industry. As an actor, Aqasha has appeared in a number of television shows and dramas among which were “Natasha”, “Butakah Cinta”, “Dendam” and many others.

He has also acted in films such as “Gangster”, “Gerak Khas Movie 3” and performed in stage musicals “Rubiah and “Puteri Gunung Ledang”. An endorsee of Faith Guitars, Aqahsa has released 2 albums – “Cahaya Hati” and “Impian”.

Other members performing together with him are David on percussions and Feri on bass.

• Friday, Dec 2nd, 2011 at 3.45pm at G Stage, G Hotel
• Saturday, Dec 3rd, 2011 at 3pm at Bayview Corner, Bayview Beach Resort

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Damien’s musical path started in school with learning to play the scrap metal flute and eventually leading up to being the school band clarinetist and holding positions as section leader and music conductor.

He taught himself to play the guitar and participated in several singing competitions. His passion for music has seen him performing in numerous venues and functions all over Penang and he has also worked with a number of bands such as Paparazzi, Phenomenon, Fine Arts, Wind, and Starz.

With his baritone voice and guitar, Damien’s journey has just begun as he pursues his dream in the
music world.

• Friday, Dec 2nd, 2011 at 3pm at Bayview Corner, Bayview Beach Resort
• Friday, Dec 2nd, 2011 at 4.30pm at Pavilion Stage, ParkRoyal Hotel
• Saturday, Dec 3rd, 2011 at 3pm – 3.30pm at BatuJazz Stage, Lone Pine Hotel

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De Leon Jazz Experience is a family of musicians comprising of Ronald and his two young and talented sons – Vince and Gabriel. A self-taught musician, Ronald, who is a recipient of the Embassy of The Republic of The Philippines in Kuala Lumpur Award for “The Most Outstanding Filipino (Music) of 2007” came to Malaysia from the Philippines in the 90s and performed in various venues throughout Malaysia.

All of them (father and sons), each play a number of musical instruments and though their passion lies in the creative music of jazz, they are equally adept in all forms and styles of music. Winner of the Jimmy Boyle Most Promising Young Musician Award in 2008 at the age of 10, Vince recently completed his Grade 8 in Alto Saxophone, being the youngest person to achieve this in Malaysia. Similarly, Gabriel completed his Grade 8 in Drums from Trinity Rock School at the age of 9 and is certified by Malaysia Book of Records as the Youngest Malaysian to Finish a Professional Drum Course.

The trio is very actively involved with Penang Jazz Community in helping to promote jazz music in the island of Penang.

• Thursday, Dec 1st, 2011 at 8.30pm  at Sundown @ Tropical Spice Garden
• Friday, Dec 2nd, 2011 at 4.30pm at Bayview Corner, Bayview Beach Resort

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Liyana Fizi plays acoustic tunes tinged with a mix of folk and bossanova. Gaining acknowledgment for her melodic songwriting, the singer made her first debut as one of the founding members of Malaysia’s top indie-pop band’s Estrella.

Liyana, who has performed in events and festivals in Australia, Singapore, Laos, UK, Indonesia, China, was invited as a special guest performer at Reza Salleh’s Spotlight series at Dewan Philharmonik Petronas in June 2011.

She was awarded Best Female Vocalist (Over All) [GOLD AWARD WINNER] at the 2009 Voize Independent Music Awards and two of the songs “Jatuh” and “Last Notice” from her latest album – “Between The Lines”, will be featured in the  soundtrack of the film “Azura” by Malaysian’s renowned film maker – Aziz M Osman, which is scheduled to be released in late 2011.

• Friday, Dec 2nd, 2011 at 4.30pm at Rock Stage, Hard Rock Hotel
• Saturday, Dec 3rd, 2011 at 4.30pm  at Bayview Corner, Bayview Beach Resort

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Primitive Leap is an English rock band from Penang, north of Malaysia. Although officially formed in January 2009, the band has had musical roots in the local scene since 1995, playing and performing in and with various other bands. The local band started off playing covers from early grunge and post grunge bands from local and international scene, before progressively writing original materials.

In 2009, Primitive Leap agreed to formalize the band, the direction and publish their first single “Drown In Your Eyes” to venture into the local music scene. They are currently in process of releasing their first LP to the market. Primitive Leap consists of individuals with own respective careers in IT and Engineering, with music being an avenue to stream their creativity and relieve their stressed out mind from the daily perils of day jobs.

Izwan is the vocalist, Brian is the rhythm guitarist and main composer of the band, Jim is the lead guitarist, Jeffry plays the bass and Fitri is the drummer. Together, they hope to make an impact on introducing their sound of catchy tunes to the world of music!