The BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest 2023 is now an exciting two-day event. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
It’s that time of the year when Bahrain gears up for the music and festivities of its much-awaited annual jazz festival.
Clockwork Managing Director, Jude D’Souza, says: “For the very first time, we have a two-day festival with 15 performing bands, representing a giant leap in the progress of the BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest. Over the last six years, we have celebrated more than 100 musicians and hosted over 30,000 visitors from around the world.”
Scheduled for November 2 and 3, the family-friendly festival will be held at the iconic Royal Golf Club with an exceptional lineup of local and international award-winning jazz and blues artists.
Headliners include Andrea Motis, a 28-year-old Spanish jazz trumpeter, singer, songwriter and saxophonist who sings in Catalan, Spanish, Portuguese, English and has collaborated with legendary artists such as Quincy Jones, Omara Portuondo, Milton Nascimento, Gil Goldstein and Yo-Yo Ma.
Second headliner MaMoGi is an all-star, powerhouse trio and also features Mohini Dey – a 27-year-old bass player from India who has collaborated with various stalwarts of the genre.
These young, multi-faceted musicians represent the theme Jazz for All, All for Jazz.
The other international names performing this year include:
Laurent Coulondre – multi award-winning jazz virtuoso.
Rudy and The Kool Kats – soulful blues melodies
The Sweet Simones – Swing, Jazz and Jump Blues band from Munich, Germany
La Bouche Manouche – vintage jazz quintet influenced by the chic era of the Jazz Age
Cabo Cuba – Jazz that blends the melancholy of the Cape Verdean Islands with a generous portion of Cuban rumba
Cosimo and The Hot Coals – unique band from the Italian and European scene who merge the ‘10s and ‘20s jazz tradition
Speaking at the press conference, Bahrain Tourism Exhibition and Authority (BTEA) CEO, Dr. Nasser Qaedi, says: “Jazz is a universal language that transcends borders and cultures, and we are delighted to see the BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest upgrade to a two-day event, further strengthening Bahrain’s position in the international jazz scene and attracting enthusiasts and showcases Bahrain’s vibrant arts and cultural scene.”
Local and regional artists at this year’s event include:
Jazziyat by Banah, a Jazz Revival of Oriental Classics who will perform with the Armstrong Now! band
Loulwa Al-Sharif, a Saudi jazz singer, who has captivated audiences across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with her mesmerising voice
The Relocators a Bahraini blues music group
Hotboxgroove, Bahrain’s blues fusion 6-piece band.
Tickets are available for a single day of the festival at BD22 per person for 15 years and above; and BD11 for children aged seven to 14 years. Two-day festival tickets are available for BD33 per person for 15 years and above; and BD16.5 for seven to 14 years. Children six years and under are allowed in for free on both days. Anyone under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. All Beyon Money card users can also avail of exclusive discounts. Tickets are available online at Platinumlist.
For more information, visit bahrainjazzfest.com or follow @bahrainjazzfest on Instagram.
Amine Bel Hadj Soulami, CEO of BNP Paribas, Middle East and Africa said: “We are truly delighted to continue our partnership with the BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest for the seventh year. Jazz is a genre that transcends boundaries, and we are particularly proud of the multitude of regional musical talent. We also see this as an opportunity for engagement to give back to the vibrant Bahraini community, and nurture talent, especially in the schools.”
