Fusion in the vines
Play
Spyro Gyra headlines tonight's Silverlake Jazz Fest in Pattaya
Spyro Gyra, one of the most commercially successful jazz groups of the past 30 years, is back in Thailand for today’s Silverlake Jazz Fest at the Silverlake Vineyard in Pattaya.
“We are really looking forward to being back on stage in Thailand and we hope to see you all in Pattaya,” says Jay Beckenstein, the group’s founder. “As a special treat for our Thai fans, we have prepared our own rendition of one of His Majesty the King’s compositions to play for you in honour of his 85th birthday.”
One of the pioneering jazz-fusion crossover acts, Spyro Gyra has released more than 30 albums and sold some 10 million records. The American band will perform their hits as well as songs from their latest album, “A Foreign Affair”, which is a musical travelogue from the Caribbean, Japan, Africa and Chile with stops at all points between.
The band features alto saxophonist and songwriter Beckenstein, keyboardist Tom Schuman, guitarist Julio Fernandez, bassist Scott Ambush and drummer Bonny B.
They’ll be back in Asia early next year, with a firm date already booked for the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta at the beginning of March.
Also performing at Silverlake will be Danish modern jazz singer Malene Mortensen, who’s earned many fans from her appearances at the Hua Hin Jazz Festival. She’ll be singing tracks off her new album, “You Go to My Head” and the full-length CD of covers, “Still Loving You”, which is being sold in Thailand only.
Indonesian pianist, academic and arranger Nita Aartsen landed a three-album recording contract with Indonesia’s Platinum label, and released her first album with the Nita Aartsen Quatro, “All Nite Out” in 2009. She performs a blend of Latin jazz and classical music.
Rounding out the lineup of foreign acts is Japanese saxophonist and flautist Kaori Kobayashi. She started playing jazz as a teen, studying with Bob Zangu and at the Senzoku College of Music. After graduating, she landed a contract with Victor Entertainment and released her debut album “Solar”.
Local artists include jazz stalwarts Koh Mr Saxman, Duck from the Infinity, Mellow Motif, the Soul Must Go On, Mira and the Mahidol Jazz Orchestra and well as pop acts ETC, Gam the Star and Nat Sakdatorn from season four of “Academy Fantasia”.
Silverlake sounds
_ The Siliverlake Jazz Festival is at the Silverlake Vineyard in Pattaya.
_ Shows on the mini-stage get underway at 1.50pm. The main festival opens at 5 with Mellow Motif.
_ Tickets are Bt1,500. Call (02) 900 9999 or visit www.We-Booking.com.
_ Part of the proceeds will go to the Sea Turtle Conservation Centre in Sattahip.
_ For more information, visit www.SilverlakeThai.com.
