Sep 10, 2008

The Hong Kong International Jazz Festival, jointly presented by the International Jazz Festival Holdings Limited. and the Hong Kong Jazz Association (HKJA), will take place in Hong Kong from November 16^th to 22^nd 2008. An A-list roster of artists from around the world will enlighten Hong Kong with the jazz language. Jazz festivals have captured Asia in countries like Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan and Mongolia, but where does that leave Hong Kong?

This year, the first ever Hong Kong International Jazz Festival, will place Hong Kong SAR in the limelight of the jazz world. As award winning performers storm our city for one week only, jazz will finally take the centre stage.

To kick start the festival, a free open-air concert at the Hong Kong Cultural Center Piazza will bring a cyclone of toe-tapping, finger-snapping performances. A flurry of master classes, jam sessions and performances in chic jazz locations like Backstage Live Restaurant, Lanson Place Hotel and Sevva Restaurant from 17^th to 22^nd November will light up the festival in a vibrant manner. These events will create an opportunity for the local jazz community to interact with international music legends; tickets are still available to the public

Two world-class finale concerts at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium (20^th-21^st Nov) featuring two-time Grammy winners Bob James and Angels of Shanghai with Tetsuo Sakurai (ex-Casiopea bass player), Yellowjackets featuring Mike Stern (two-time Grammy winner), multiple Juno Award winner Alain Caron with his group, featuring Frank Gambale, alongside a New York Session featuring top New York players such as Jay Azzolina (ex-guitarist for Spyro Gyra)with local jazz guru Ted Lo will close the festival in an explosive finale!

So polish your brass, pull out those blue suede shoes and be a part of the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival now!

Free admission for the 16^th Nov. open air concert; finale concert tickets available at $100, $200, $380, $580 and $800 (VIP) (top four prices with 15% student, elderly, disabled and HKJA members discount). Tickets are available in October at Urbtix and performance venues. For more information, please consult our website www.hkjazz.org.