Jazz with a hint of salsa
Play
Koh Samui plays host to the inaugural edition of its Latin and Jazz fest
The inaugural Samui Latin & Jazz Week 2013 held earlier this month might have a new name but there were plenty of old faces from the previous editions of the island’s jazz festivals among the crowds at the clubs, restaurants and the outdoor stage.
There were new faces there too, with a large foreign contingent turning out to the beach stage in front of the Amari Palm Reef in Chaweng for the last two days off the festival and moving energetically to sounds by leading jazz musicians from the Netherlands, Africa, America and Thailand.
CaboCubajazz captured the hearts of the audience with its strong groove and sensual melodies of Cuban, rumba salsa and jazz that suited Dina Medina’s theatrical voice. She had no trouble persuaded the audience to sing along with her show.
Deborah Brown, who has made a name for herself with appearances in more than 50 countries around the world, also astounded the Samui crowd with her vocal feats, powering up the microphone alongside such established musicians as the Peter Beets Trio.
The world-famous American singer performed a set of well-known covers including Duke Ellington’s “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” and Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Just In Time”. This being October – traditionally a month of low tourist numbers and high rainfall – it was inevitable that the festival would be affected by rain.
Unfortunately for the Thai contingent, the skies opened during Koh Mr Saxman’s show causing many of the audience to dash for drier climes.
But Thailand’s favourite saxophonist didn’t let the rain fall on his parade and continued with an exciting set that featured a jazzy rearrangement of the movie soundtrack of “Mission Impossible”.
Another Thai band, Changton & Friends came out with Bunita Prachamorn, the winner of the sixth “Thailand Jazz Competition: Sing for the King” and her pure vocals quickly won hearts.
Amsterdam-born trumpeter Saskia Laroo, often referred to as “Lady Miles of Europe”, entertained with her so-called “nu jazz”, mixing in a neat arrangement of hip-hop, jazz, salsa, funk reggae, and world music that had the audience wanting more.
The crowds also applauded long and loud the striking sax summit by saxophonists featuring Carlos Matos, Rolf Delfos, Alexander Beets, Amik Guerra and Koh Mr Saxman.
