Colombo Jazz Fest is back
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The popular Colombo Jazz Festival will come alive on the 18th and 19th of February at the Galle Face hotel. Following on the immense success of its inaugural festival in 2016, this year’s event has expanded to cover two days with over 45 artistes.
The concept behind the festival is music, culinary and art event, that promises to combine and showcase the talents of the best international jazz artistes as well as artistes of national renown.
The Jazz Festival is a production of ‘Mainstage Event’ in collaboration of Mercedes Benz.
The Galle Face hotel, an iconic historic property has long supported the arts and been a popular choice with performers passing through the capital. Duke Ellington was a guest in 1963, visiting what was then called the Coconut Grove (now the Jubilee Ballroom), a nightclub where Radio Ceylon broadcast and Mignonne Fernando and The Jetliners got their break.
This year’s festival will feature over 40 artists, one of the largest to be held in Sri Lanka. Headlined by famed, chart topping British acid Jazz band ‘Incognito’, the festival brings together other big names like Marco Mendoza, Holly Perkins and the Diablos, the Kevin Davy quartet, the Gang of Brothers, local stars like Geoffrey Fernando and Brown Sugar will also form part of the stellar, star- studded line up.
This year’s Mercedes Benz Jazz Festival will feature over 40 artists, one of the largest to be held in Sri Lanka. Headlined by famed, chart topping British acid Jazz band ‘Incognito’, the festival brings together other big names like Marco Mendoza, Holly Perkins and the Diablos, the Kevin Davy quartet, the Gang of Brothers, local stars like Geoffrey Fernando and Brown Sugar will also form part of the stellar, star- studded line up.
The group, which is the headlining the Festival is Incognito, which as been labeled as everything from pop band to Latin jazz ensemble, from ‘70s-styled funk crew to an acid-jazz collaboration. It is best defined in terms of its leader, guitarist-vocalist-composer Jean Paul (Bluey) Maunick. Over the course of the ensemble’s history and its 16 albums, Bluey, as he prefers to be known, has explored his own musical passions, passions that embrace all those categories.
Another jazz legend performing is Mud Morganfield who describes the resemblance of the tone and timber of his voice to that of his father’s voice as a double edged sword.
The Kevin Davy Quartet, Kevin Davy is a London-based trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader. In a career spanning three decades, he has amassed an extensive recorded discography, which includes work ranging from musical theatre to modern jazz and contemporary music. In the last few years, Kevin has returned to small jazz, notably his own quartet, while still making occasional appearances with larger groups.
Geoffrey Fernando of famed Sri Lankan band Purple Rain will also perform, his unique vocal style and graceful stage presence makes Geoff one of the best live entertainers to be           experienced.
Jerome Speldewindes powerful vocal styling makes for a compelling combination when paired with his guitar skill and is really one to watch from the stellar lineup of local artists.
lTickets will be available from Sugar Bistro Crescat and Odel, 41 Sugar, PR and the Galle Face Hotel. They can also be purchased on line at www.colombojazzfestival.com .Tickets are priced at Rs. 5000/- for a day pass for either day and Rs. 8000/- for the weekend pass which includes entry for both days, children (under 12) are half price and toddlers are free.