Hua Hin Jazz Festival 2008
From today's Bangkok Post:
Swinging by the sea
With petrol prices continuing to soar and the rain set to stick around for a good while yet, life might seem a little gloomy at the moment. But with a bit of luck, gas tanks will be full and umbrellas will remain safely stashed away as jazz fans gear up for the eighth Hua Hin Jazz Festival, set to kick off next Friday (June 13) in the always-charming beach town.
Hosted by Hua Hin Municipality with support from the Provincial Authority of Prachuap Khiri Khan and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Hua Hin Jazz Festival is the country's only free international jazz event on the beach. The outdoor festival, which was started in 2002 by the Hua Hin Hoteliers Club to boost tourism during the low season, has proved a big hit and over the years welcomed more than 300,000 music fans as well as over 200 performers from around the world.
The long list of artists who have graced the scenic stage includes world-class performers like bassist John Pattitucci from the USA, Bill Bruford's Earthworks from the UK, lounge-jazz duet Montefiori Cocktail from Italy and Scandinavian vocalist Caroline Henderson, as well as local jazz maestros like Tewan Supsaenyakorn, Thanapat "Prode" Mathayomchand, Jiraphan Ansavananda, Koh Mr Saxman and The Infinity.
This year the jazzy affair has been scaled down to two nights instead of three, and True Music has taken over from Heineken as the festival's main sponsor.
According to Rungfa Kiatipoj, brand management and marketing communication director of True Corporations, this is the first time that the company has been involved with a music festival.
"True Music sees itself as a lifestyle enabler - something that helps make people's life easier," she says. "Most of our products are communication technology and lifestyle services which people can't physically touch; so having something solid has always been very important for our brand.
"We see the Hua Hin Jazz Festival as a perfect vehicle to enhance our convergence lifestyle concept. Jazz is a very sophisticated type of music and jazz lovers are usually those with the finest lifestyles. At the same time, we see Hua Hin as a very classy and charming town - not just another beach destination. If the festival was being held in another beach town, we would have taken much longer [to come on board]."
Unlike previous years, when eclectic fusion or trendy bossa nova nursed the noble resort town through the evenings, 2008 will showcase straightforward American jazz. And while statistics for the last two years show that the average age of festival-goers was 18-35 - more than half of last year's 65,000 were younger than 25 - audiences are expected be a bit older this year.
"The festival crowds has been getting younger and younger," says Sermkhun Khunawong, chief executive officer of CM Organizer, the festival promoter. "Perhaps it's because ever since 2005, when our company first got involved with the event, rather than bringing in the same old mainstream jazz, we've tried to introduce audiences to new styles. And chilled-out European jazz seemed to be the most interesting choice, which obviously attracted younger crowds.
"Having a young audience was good, but we also wanted to appeal to the real jazz aficionados as much as possible. Hua Hin has become well known as a destination for high-quality jazz, but over the past few years, due to the success of the jazz fest, this beach resort has come to be seen as a cool place for a party. People have been flocking here for other events, like rock and pop concerts and other kinds of music," says Sermkhun.
"So this year we are trying to draw back the real jazz lovers by bringing in American jazz with world-renowned artists like Kenny Garrett and Mike Stern's band, which features famous drummer Dave Weckl and talented bass player Chris Minh Doky."
For Thai acts, the organisers are very proud to present an interesting line-up of celebrated professional singers and musicians including Songsit "Kob" Rungnoppakhunsri, Rudklao Amaradita, Jirasak "Maew" Parnpoom, T-Bone and the Mansri Band who will perform a number of familiar popular songs that have been exclusively re-arranged into distinctive jazzy interpretations.
"We've had many requests to feature some upbeat bands later on in the evening so people can dance the night away," says Sermkhun. "Of course, we do pay attention to every request, but at the same time we have to maintain our ethos - we never want to see this original and highly-respected jazz event turning into a party-by-the-sea event."
The eighth Hua Hin Jazz Festival is expected to draw more than 70,000 visitors over the two days. One of the improvements on last year's festival is that the venue will be three times bigger. And in addition to the professionally designed, hugely expensive stage and sound systems, a number of projection screens and audio speakers will be installed around the venue to ensure that people sitting far away from the stage will get as clear audio and visuals as those down in the front. Facilities such as toilets and parking spaces have increased in number, while traffic control has been upgraded to cater to the anticipated bigger crowds.
If you are planning to go to Hua Hin next weekend, don't forget to check the weather forecast and, if you're staying overnight, make sure you have accommodation arranged. (Most top hotels are offering special packages during the festival.) It is also a good idea to arrange a car pool... considering the petrol price, you know.
And last but not least, be ready for unusual downtown traffic jams, packed restaurants and, of course, cool evenings filled with velvety sound of quality jazz.
The Hua Hin Jazz Festival will run from 3:30pm until midnight on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June. The venue is right on the beach, between the Sofitel Central Hua Hin and Hua Hin Marriott hotels. Admission is free.
Source: Bangkok Post
Swinging by the sea
With petrol prices continuing to soar and the rain set to stick around for a good while yet, life might seem a little gloomy at the moment. But with a bit of luck, gas tanks will be full and umbrellas will remain safely stashed away as jazz fans gear up for the eighth Hua Hin Jazz Festival, set to kick off next Friday (June 13) in the always-charming beach town.
Hosted by Hua Hin Municipality with support from the Provincial Authority of Prachuap Khiri Khan and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Hua Hin Jazz Festival is the country's only free international jazz event on the beach. The outdoor festival, which was started in 2002 by the Hua Hin Hoteliers Club to boost tourism during the low season, has proved a big hit and over the years welcomed more than 300,000 music fans as well as over 200 performers from around the world.
The long list of artists who have graced the scenic stage includes world-class performers like bassist John Pattitucci from the USA, Bill Bruford's Earthworks from the UK, lounge-jazz duet Montefiori Cocktail from Italy and Scandinavian vocalist Caroline Henderson, as well as local jazz maestros like Tewan Supsaenyakorn, Thanapat "Prode" Mathayomchand, Jiraphan Ansavananda, Koh Mr Saxman and The Infinity.
This year the jazzy affair has been scaled down to two nights instead of three, and True Music has taken over from Heineken as the festival's main sponsor.
According to Rungfa Kiatipoj, brand management and marketing communication director of True Corporations, this is the first time that the company has been involved with a music festival.
"True Music sees itself as a lifestyle enabler - something that helps make people's life easier," she says. "Most of our products are communication technology and lifestyle services which people can't physically touch; so having something solid has always been very important for our brand.
"We see the Hua Hin Jazz Festival as a perfect vehicle to enhance our convergence lifestyle concept. Jazz is a very sophisticated type of music and jazz lovers are usually those with the finest lifestyles. At the same time, we see Hua Hin as a very classy and charming town - not just another beach destination. If the festival was being held in another beach town, we would have taken much longer [to come on board]."
Unlike previous years, when eclectic fusion or trendy bossa nova nursed the noble resort town through the evenings, 2008 will showcase straightforward American jazz. And while statistics for the last two years show that the average age of festival-goers was 18-35 - more than half of last year's 65,000 were younger than 25 - audiences are expected be a bit older this year.
"The festival crowds has been getting younger and younger," says Sermkhun Khunawong, chief executive officer of CM Organizer, the festival promoter. "Perhaps it's because ever since 2005, when our company first got involved with the event, rather than bringing in the same old mainstream jazz, we've tried to introduce audiences to new styles. And chilled-out European jazz seemed to be the most interesting choice, which obviously attracted younger crowds.
"Having a young audience was good, but we also wanted to appeal to the real jazz aficionados as much as possible. Hua Hin has become well known as a destination for high-quality jazz, but over the past few years, due to the success of the jazz fest, this beach resort has come to be seen as a cool place for a party. People have been flocking here for other events, like rock and pop concerts and other kinds of music," says Sermkhun.
"So this year we are trying to draw back the real jazz lovers by bringing in American jazz with world-renowned artists like Kenny Garrett and Mike Stern's band, which features famous drummer Dave Weckl and talented bass player Chris Minh Doky."
For Thai acts, the organisers are very proud to present an interesting line-up of celebrated professional singers and musicians including Songsit "Kob" Rungnoppakhunsri, Rudklao Amaradita, Jirasak "Maew" Parnpoom, T-Bone and the Mansri Band who will perform a number of familiar popular songs that have been exclusively re-arranged into distinctive jazzy interpretations.
"We've had many requests to feature some upbeat bands later on in the evening so people can dance the night away," says Sermkhun. "Of course, we do pay attention to every request, but at the same time we have to maintain our ethos - we never want to see this original and highly-respected jazz event turning into a party-by-the-sea event."
The eighth Hua Hin Jazz Festival is expected to draw more than 70,000 visitors over the two days. One of the improvements on last year's festival is that the venue will be three times bigger. And in addition to the professionally designed, hugely expensive stage and sound systems, a number of projection screens and audio speakers will be installed around the venue to ensure that people sitting far away from the stage will get as clear audio and visuals as those down in the front. Facilities such as toilets and parking spaces have increased in number, while traffic control has been upgraded to cater to the anticipated bigger crowds.
If you are planning to go to Hua Hin next weekend, don't forget to check the weather forecast and, if you're staying overnight, make sure you have accommodation arranged. (Most top hotels are offering special packages during the festival.) It is also a good idea to arrange a car pool... considering the petrol price, you know.
And last but not least, be ready for unusual downtown traffic jams, packed restaurants and, of course, cool evenings filled with velvety sound of quality jazz.
The Hua Hin Jazz Festival will run from 3:30pm until midnight on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 June. The venue is right on the beach, between the Sofitel Central Hua Hin and Hua Hin Marriott hotels. Admission is free.
Source: Bangkok Post
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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dtaai-maai
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Yes, Mrs D-M was telling me that today - just as the TV was advertising it for next weekend! How could UBCTrue possibly tell a lie? The words piss-up and brewery spring to mind, but, hey, what do we care which weekend it is? We're here anyway!niggle wrote:Is it definately next weekend ? only I've seen posters which seem to suggest its weekend of 21/22
This is the way
As stated in this thread the main beach Jazz Fest is on the 13th and 14th and there is another "Jazz in the Town" mini-fest on the 20th-22nd at Pone square.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
Just enquired about getting press passes for the Jazz Fest as I did last year and was met with the following responses:
Hilton: "Jazz festival? What jazz festival?"
Tessabaan: "Yes the organizers in Bangkok don't tell us anything either, get them at the event"
Hilton: "Jazz festival? What jazz festival?"
Tessabaan: "Yes the organizers in Bangkok don't tell us anything either, get them at the event"
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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Terry
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Buksi you surprise me.
Since WHEN has planning, forethought, preventive maintenance, advance warnings, notifications, preannouncements, publicity, EVER been in the Thai dictionary
I say this having positive evidence
1) Our Motorcai finally packed up this weekend - checked when it was last serviced - 3 years ago
2) Two of our staff unilaterally decided on Friday to go on a weeks holiday - I told Mrs.T to let them know that they need not bother to come back. Thank Buddha it's not the high season.
There's more but I can't be ar5ed to go in to it !!!!
So WHY should the Jazz Festival be any different.!!!!!!!!!
Since WHEN has planning, forethought, preventive maintenance, advance warnings, notifications, preannouncements, publicity, EVER been in the Thai dictionary
I say this having positive evidence
1) Our Motorcai finally packed up this weekend - checked when it was last serviced - 3 years ago
2) Two of our staff unilaterally decided on Friday to go on a weeks holiday - I told Mrs.T to let them know that they need not bother to come back. Thank Buddha it's not the high season.
There's more but I can't be ar5ed to go in to it !!!!
So WHY should the Jazz Festival be any different.!!!!!!!!!
Well, the rising tide made things interesting. The beach kept getting narrower and narrower as the night wore on. Not really a problem unless you wanted to sit down. I kinda preferred being out in the water with the rest of the pissheads!
Kenny Garret's show was great. His sidemen were fantastic.
Coulda used afew more toilets though. Why not put some porta cabins behind the stage? Also kind of a long, crowded walk from the beach entrance near the Sofitel to the stage area.
Hope the rain holds off some more. Stern's trio is gonna blow that place away tonight. Finally, some kick ass guitar jazz!
Kenny Garret's show was great. His sidemen were fantastic.
Coulda used afew more toilets though. Why not put some porta cabins behind the stage? Also kind of a long, crowded walk from the beach entrance near the Sofitel to the stage area.
Hope the rain holds off some more. Stern's trio is gonna blow that place away tonight. Finally, some kick ass guitar jazz!
Yep, all the usual problems of incoming tide, inadequate toilets and the sponsors cordoning off half the beach for 'VIP' seats so everyone wanting to get to the stage has to walk through a 3 foot wide gap or the ocean.
That aside it was a great gig - Garrett rocked:
But for me these guys took the show at the end getting everyone on their feet with their Thai style ska:
T-Bone
More pics to follow ...
That aside it was a great gig - Garrett rocked:
But for me these guys took the show at the end getting everyone on their feet with their Thai style ska:
T-Bone
More pics to follow ...
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
beach?
I imagine that the "concept" of Jazz on the Beach must be mightily attractive to the organizers in Bangkok, until they actually get here and see that the "beach" is much too small for anything like the event they planned.
The stage was badly placed certainly. ..a longish beach walk from almost anywhere.
I went last night (Friday) and caught most of the Zao-Dung set standing in the water, and this was early in the evening. ( You mean the tide was coming IN??) Watched the rest of the evening on a big screen while dining on the beach. They tried to lengthen the "beach" with those two big screen/amplifier affairs, but by then, what's the point? You are sitting in the sand watching something on a screen while you might as well be doing that in comfort at home or at your favorite bar.
I was especially amused by the references to parking in the official handout. They list three parking areas: HH school, Municipality and ( get ready for it) Market Village with 1,300 parking places! Wow! Someone from Bangkok who has never been here ( Thai or tourist) might be impressed, but Market Village is already open and always crowded on Friday and Saturday nights, not to mention that it is quite a hike from there to the main stage of the festival.
I still wonder that the "Municipality" has not yet caught on to the fact that Hua Hin has a massive parking/traffic problem that will only get worse as the years go on. And I wonder if at some point, the Bangkok SUV brigade might actually realize that they are in for a one hour or two hour search for a parking place once they arrive in town, not to mention the traffic jams, and stop coming to Hua Hin.
One solution, this is something I saw in action countless times in the US at such big events, is the free shuttle bus scheme from distant but adequate parking lots. I dont know that such an arrangement would work here given cultural differences etc, but it worked great in the US.
I still say that the first Jazz Festival was the best! Three stages, plenty of seating, great acts, terrific atmosphere. . even parking then was not such a huge hassle.
The stage was badly placed certainly. ..a longish beach walk from almost anywhere.
I went last night (Friday) and caught most of the Zao-Dung set standing in the water, and this was early in the evening. ( You mean the tide was coming IN??) Watched the rest of the evening on a big screen while dining on the beach. They tried to lengthen the "beach" with those two big screen/amplifier affairs, but by then, what's the point? You are sitting in the sand watching something on a screen while you might as well be doing that in comfort at home or at your favorite bar.
I was especially amused by the references to parking in the official handout. They list three parking areas: HH school, Municipality and ( get ready for it) Market Village with 1,300 parking places! Wow! Someone from Bangkok who has never been here ( Thai or tourist) might be impressed, but Market Village is already open and always crowded on Friday and Saturday nights, not to mention that it is quite a hike from there to the main stage of the festival.
I still wonder that the "Municipality" has not yet caught on to the fact that Hua Hin has a massive parking/traffic problem that will only get worse as the years go on. And I wonder if at some point, the Bangkok SUV brigade might actually realize that they are in for a one hour or two hour search for a parking place once they arrive in town, not to mention the traffic jams, and stop coming to Hua Hin.
One solution, this is something I saw in action countless times in the US at such big events, is the free shuttle bus scheme from distant but adequate parking lots. I dont know that such an arrangement would work here given cultural differences etc, but it worked great in the US.
I still say that the first Jazz Festival was the best! Three stages, plenty of seating, great acts, terrific atmosphere. . even parking then was not such a huge hassle.
Re: beach?
Couldn't agree more, it seems every year they try to scale the event back and every year it gets more popular. Of course using logic and Thailand in the same sentence is going a bit too far.Chas wrote: I still say that the first Jazz Festival was the best! Three stages, plenty of seating, great acts, terrific atmosphere. . even parking then was not such a huge hassle.
This one seemed to be the most commercial yet with property sponsored drinking water, condo flyers handed out at every corner, "VIP" seats taking up half the venue for snooty Bangkokians that think they're above the rest, and general 'in your face' marketing of True products ... the latter being offset by some truly fine marketing assistants:
The music seems to come second to making a buck.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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dtaai-maai
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