All out to perform great jazz music

KUCHING: Jazz artistes are thrilled to perform at the 2024 Kuching Jazz Festival here.

The second night of the festival tonight (Oct 5) will feature performances by newly formed group Aruel & The Fasola, Atilia Haron, Improviser, Fazz, and Sang Timur, with the event taking place on the banks of the Sarawak River at Grand Margherita Hotel.

Local artiste Atilia Haron expressed gratitude for being invited to perform for the second time.

“I feel appreciated because this is my second time here; the first time was when I performed at the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival in 2019, before the pandemic. Now we are back again,” she said during the Meet-and-Greet session at the Grand Margherita on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Aruel & The Fasola also shared their excitement about the opportunity to perform at this festival.

“I feel very happy to return to Kuching because this place holds significance for me; in 2022, I won the Getaran Jiwa competition here.

“Therefore, the opportunity to come back and perform publicly is something I have been looking forward to. We will perform songs by Saloma, and God willing, we will perform seven to ten songs for tonight’s concert.

“If I had known this was a proper jazz performance, I would have brought the best players and drummers. However, we will do our best to deliver a great show,” he said.

Not to be left out, local entertainers Improviser will sing as many as seven to eight songs in their own style.

Aruel & The Fasola specialises in songs by iconic artistes Saloma and P. Ramlee.

“Although many artistes have covered P. Ramlee’s songs, I have chosen to focus on Saloma’s music,” Aruel explained.

“Tonight, you will see how our unique collaboration unfolds on stage,” he added.

As the night progressed, the festival became not only a platform for local talent but also a celebration of the region’s musical heritage.