BAHRAIN JAZZ FEST is the country’s finest and most eclectic music festival, with soulful music featuring iconic performances by award winning international and local artists. Now, with the planning of the 2019 edition well under way we cannot help but summon our inner Liza Minnelli as we introduce their Main Stage Artists.
SPYRO GYRA
(spyrogyra.com and IG: @spyrogyra)
The name says it all. The thirteen time Grammynominated Spyro Gyra has performed over five thousand shows in five continents, released thirtyone albums and sold over ten million album copies including one platinum album and two gold albums. Formed in Buffalo, New York in 1974, the American jazz fusion band combines jazz, R&B, funk, and pop music to create unique and unforgettable music pieces.
“I’ve always felt that music, and particularly instrumental music, has this non-literal quality that lets people travel to a place where there are no words. Whether it’s touching their emotions or connecting them to something that reminds them of something much bigger than themselves, there’s this beauty in music that’s not connected to sentences. It’s very transportive. I would hope that when people hear our music or come to see us, they’re able to share that with us.” – Jay Beckenstein, Group Leader of Spyro Gyra
NUBIYAN TWIST
(www.nubiyantwist.co.uk and IG: @nubiyantwist)
Nubiyan Twist, a Leeds born, London based band, was the chosen band by David Byrne to perform at Queen Elizabeth Hall for the South Bank’s Meltdown Festival, selling out London’s iconic Jazz Cafe and rocking festival stages from Fusion to Wilderness, Boomtown to Edinburgh Jazz Festival. The band combines jazz, hip-hop, Afrobeat, latin and soul music to create unique sounds. The 10 piece band featuring a horn section, 2 vocalists, electronics and an international (Brazil/UK) rhythm section. “A beautiful blend of groovy dub with uplifting horns and soulful vocals” – The Guardian.
FLASH MOB JAZZ
(www.flashmobjazz.com and IG: @flashmobjazz)
Flash Mob Jazz has got everything under their sleeves to make you dance. The Brighton based swing jazz band’s debut album ‘They’ve Only Gone n Done n’ Done It!’ continues to be in top charts for major festivals around the world. Flash Mob Jazz has a loyal fan base ranging from Generation Z to baby boomers. “Flash Mob Jazz are a swinging singing Jazz extravaganza. Hittin’ up some swing and old-time classics they are sure to get you dancing with a night of fun raucous jazz” – Whats On Guide Brighton.
JAYE AND FOE BAND
(www.jayeandfoe.com and IG: @jayeandfoe)
The winners of the 2016 Jack Daniels Music Scout competition, Jaye & Foe is a 6-piece multiinstrumentalist band knows for neo swing sound. An original folk, jazz and stomping band, based in Dubai, the group has roots in the UK, Australia, and UAE. Nominated for “WhatsOn Awards” in the UAE for 2019 best local band.
THE RELOCATORS
(therelocators.net/ and IG: @therelocators)
Bahraini alternative rock and Blues band, The Relocators, blends contemporary alternative rock with the raw, minimally processed tones of old-school Rock n’ Roll and blues to perfection. Get ready to groove.
JACK RABBIT SLIMS
(sites.google.com/view/jrslims and IG: @jackrabbit. slims)
The Jack Rabbit Slims has been described as dynamically funky bursting with energy. Grounded in soul, ‘The Jacks’ as they are referred to, have refined their sound into neo-Funk, a fusion of funk infused rhythms with pop melodies. The band focuses on dance driven grooves led by powerful vocals which created an infectious sound.
THIS MIGHT BE JAZZ
(IG: @thismightbejazz )
This Might Be Jazz is a Bahrain based jazz and blues collective comprising of some of the best musical talents on the island. Formed specifically for the Bahrain Jazz Fest 2018, the band has since developed a good following and continues to perform at various venues around the island.
LONE STAR BLUES – ALL STAR BLUES COLLECTIVE
Featuring the following critically acclaimed artists:
- SANTIAGO CAMPILLO – SPAIN’S BEST BLUES GUITARIST.
Santiago was the founder of the M * Clan group; In 1993 he produced his first vinyl with four songs. In ‘95 they recorded their first CD: “A Good Moment”, in Memphis (USA) and is profiled as the maximum composer and responsible for the southern sound of the band, being considered since then as one of the great exponents of the Blues-Rock guitar in the country.
- BUDDY WHITTINGTON – ACCLAIMED AMERICAN BLUES GUITARIST.
A lifelong Texan, Buddy Whittington ‘entered the arena’ on December 28, 1956, in Fort Worth, and became enamored of the electric guitar like countless kids of his vintage shortly thereafter, who were mesmerized at the reality that ‘you plucked a string…’here’, and the sound came out…’over THERE.’
- ONEIDA JAMES – FAMOUSLY KNOWN FOR BEING BASS PLAYER FOR JOE COCKER.
( www.oneidajames.com and IG:@nedacjr)
Currently, leader and founder of touring and recording project, Oneida James Band. Headlining Performing Artist in numerous sold out festivals and theatre venues in Spain and France. Recording and Live Artist, and bassist of all styles, including, Rock, Alternative, Pop, Latin, Latin Jazz and Contemporary Jazz, specializing in Funk, Hip-Hop, Reggae, R&B, World Beat; vocalist (lead and background) writing, arranging and music production.
BD21 (15-YEARS-OLD AND ABOVE); BD10.5 (SEVEN TO 14-YEAR-OLDS); KIDS AGED SIX AND BELOW ENTER FOR FREE. 20% EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT VALID UNTIL SEPTEMBER 27, EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM VIRGIN MEGASTORE, CITY CENTRE BAHRAIN.
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