December 1, 2010 at 4:00 pm

Entering its seventh edition, the Penang Island Jazz Festival is proof that Penang is not merely famous for its hawker food. There were some raised eyebrows when the idea was mooted back in 2004 as the island was not known for its musical talent. Jazz was viewed as more of a Western trend, and to hold an event on it might seem out of place, especially if the venue was the Pearl of the Orient. To those with doubts, it simply was not a Penang thing.

Performer at Penang Island Jazz Festival 2008

Time, however, has proven any critic wrong and this year, the festival will be held for four days, from 2nd to 5th December. The four day event will feature more than 190 musicians performing at several locations throughout the island. The interesting programme includes the “Jazz By The Beach” main event, which will be held Bayview Beach Resort Gardens, Batu Feringghi on Saturday and Sunday, and performances at four Fringe Stages (at various hotels in the island) . Also included in this year’s edition is the Big Band programme, where two bands perform for 30 minutes in the afternoon on 4th and 5th December at the Grand Ballroom of the Bayview Beach Resort.

In addition, the festival will have workshops for those interested in music and meeting the entertainers performing this year. These include “Brazilian Guitar and Rhythms” Workshop By Celso Machado and “Finger Picking Guitar” Workshop By Tommy Emmanuel.

Photo (c) Penang Island Jazz Festival

Tags: Culture, Island, Jazz, Penang, Penang Island Jazz Festival