The beat goes on

International jazz artists Jeff “Tain” Watts, Lage Lund, and George Garzone are among the headliners at the 2015 edition of the Thailand International Jazz Conference taking place at the College of Music, Mahidol University’s Salaya Campus from January 30 to February 1.

“This year marks the first time we have selected a jazz drummer as one of our highlight acts, though we have discussed this notion several times over the years,” enthuses Darin Pantoomkomol, head of the college’s 

 jazz department and one of organisers.

American jazz percussionist Watts is one of the most original and influential jazz drummers on today’s music scene, a true jazz innovator and creative force who never fails to deliver the percussive magic that has been his trademark since his emergence on the contemporary jazz scene in the 1980s. Watts will perform with Australian saxophonist Troy Roberts, Cuban pianist Manvel Valera and Korean double bassist Hogyu Hwang.

One of the most compelling jazz artists in the world today, Norwegian guitarist Lage Lund will be joined on stage by American double bass player Matt Brewer and drummer Clarence Penn. 

Saxophonist George Garzone, a member of The Fringe, a jazz trio founded in 1972 that includes bassist John Lockwood and drummer Bob Gullotti, will joins up with Bulgarian bassist Peter Slavov and Cuban drummer Francisco Mela for the third concert.

“Our selection criteria include proven performance skills as well as diversity of music, so we are confident that all of these artists will inspire our jazz students,” Darin says.

The same criteria are also applied to the Thai jazz artists who this year include Jetset’er, saxophonist Passakorn “Mint” Morasilpin, blues guitarist Chai Blues and his band Chai & The Blues Maniacs featuring Nurse, Den Euprasert’s Project R, Silpakorn University Jazz Faculty and Pomeo Town who will jam with Danish saxophonist Jakob Dinesen and our very own Koh Mr Saxman. Two singers from The Voice – Buntita “Natt” Prachamon and Kumarika “June” Subhakarn – have also been picked for the event.

In addition to the jazz night activities, the conference will include the TIJC education series, which offers jazz students the chance to learn from masters from all over the world, workshop topics range from jazz performance, solo improvisation to recording sessions and putting on shows, as well as topics of interest to the jazz-loving public.

  The series also include a jazz improvisation competition using internationally recognised adjudicators. The winners will be awarded Bt100,000 in the open category and Bt50,000 in the junior category.

The TIJC Jazz Camp, which runs from January 26 to 28, is open to students from all over the country.

“Who knows? Some of these kids might be world class jazz artists in the future,” Darin says.

 

BOX:

All that jazz

Tickets are Bt500 for one workshop, Bt800 for one concert, and Bt3,000 for a three-day package.

They’re on sale at Thai Ticket Major outlets and online at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

For comprehensive information on the artists, events and schedule, tickets and transportation, visit www.TIJC.net.