Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival celebrates its 3rd year

I grew up with jazz music as one of my soundtracks of my youth. I can clearly remember beach trips with family with smooth jazz setting the mood in the air while lounging by the sand and sharing stories with siblings and parents. Kenny G, Swing Out Sisters, Style Council where blaring through cassette tape players then. Then came modern jazz artist that accompanied travels like Norah Jones, Michael Bubble and some Everything But the Girl. I may not listen to them as often lately but memories associated with them are always pleasant and strong. Music somehow makes our lives more sweeter. Memories of road trips more vivid with songs. And with much excitement I’ll be visiting Kuching, Malaysia next week for the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival. Now on its third year this 2019, this festival brings together a round of talented jazz art from Asia and beyond on a 2 day musical festival this 27-28th of September, 2019. It would be a good opportunity to get familiar with other talents from our neighbouring countries.

Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival

Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival

The annual Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival returns on the 27th & 28th September this year in Kuching, Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo).

The 3rd annual KWJF this year will see local Sarawak talents performing alongside an eclectic line-up of musicians and performers from around the region such as:

  • Ning Baizura (Malaysia)
  • Harvey Malaihollo (Indonesia)
  • Sitti Navarro (Philippines)
  • Dave Brewer & The DooDaddies (Australia)
  • Dawn Wong & The Shanghai Jazz Club (Singapore)
  • Ushera (Malaysia)
  • Saxx in the City (Indonesia)
  • Xanaduduo (UK/Sarawak)
  • Q Sound (US/Malaysia)
  • Nisa Addina (Sarawak)
  • KWJF Jazz Band Search winner, The Fingerprints 

Organised by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), one of the jazz festival’s objectives is to develop and nurture local Sarawak musicians through having the KWJF Jazz Band Search competition every year before the actual festival. 

Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival

Festival for a Cause

On top of that, KWJF also aims to help local charities. Each year, performers will autograph official posters for the event and these posters are then sold during the festival. Proceeds are then given to selected charities for the year. This year’s selected charities are Sarawak Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA), The Penan Women Project, Kuching Autistic Association, and Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti Sarawak (Sarawak Community-based Rehabilitation Centre).

The jazz festival includes jazz concerts for 2 nights as well as a food and art bazaar. The family-friendly event is a free-standing event with several screens and seated areas throughout the festival grounds. Festival tickets can be purchased at the Grand Margherita Hotel, online at www.kuchingwaterfrontjazz.com or walk-in during the festival. For more information, do call +6082-555189. Place Borneo Sdn Bhd is the official event management company for KWJF.

Kuching Haze Update

(As of September 20, 2019) Please be informed that, in view of the haze situation in Kuching, the Organizer of Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival 2019 has decided to move the event indoors to the air-conditioned MBKS Community Hall at Jalan Padungan, Kuching. This is for the comfort of all festival patrons, staff, performers and volunteers. The festival dates remain unchanged i.e 27th and 28th September 2019. All necessary arrangements are now being planned to ensure the smooth operations of the festival.