MIRI (Sarawak) – Two Borneo artistes have proved their high standing in global jazz scene by appearing alongside seven international bands and groups at the Miri International Jazz Festival (MIJF) in Sarawak May 8-9, 2009.
They are delighted by the experience, saying that it is one of their best performances so far.
Malaysia’s own duet, known as the Double Take, Roger Wang, well known in the jazz scene for his finger-style guitar wizardry, and Mia Palencia, singer and song writer, have been in harmony since February 2000.
These two natives of Sabah have performed throughout Malaysia and Singapore, including the Penang Jazz Festival, Johor Arts Festival and the Huayi Festival at the Singapore Esplanade.
Whilst Roger resides in Kota Kinabalu, Mia has moved to, what she calls, the “big city” of Kuala Lumpur.
The Double Take had two performances in KL in 2008 both at Equatorial Hotel’s Flo Lounge, firstly for Summer Jazz Series IV (July 30-Aug. 2) and for a “Tribute to The Beatles” in late November drawing many fans of the British band as well as their own.
It was no surprise, therefore, that the opening number of Roger and Mia at the Miri Jazz (May 8) was one of the Beatles’ old time favourites, “And I Love Her”.
Thus captivated, the audience who thronged The Pavilion and the beach front surroundings of Parkcity Everly Hotel were further thrilled by such renditions as, Nat King Cole’s “Mona Lisa”, Yeah Yeah, Black Coffee and as expected, a Malaysian song Bila Larut Malam. Aside from the evergreen oldies like Somewhere Over The Rainbow, there were also more contemporary pieces like “Billie Jean”.
Commenting on the selection, Roger explains that Double Take wanted to have a good balance in the song list. “It was very important to have enough variety and dynamic, since we had to do an hour set and there are just the two of us. We
had bossa, ballads, Jazz standard, a Malaysian song and all the way to something really upbeat and unexpected, like Michael Jackson’s Man in The Mirror”.
“The performance at Miri Jazz was definitely one of our best. It felt really good on stage. Good sound. Good vibes, great crowd,” Roger happily proclaims. He acknowledges the benefit of performing alongside other international groups.
“It gives us confidence knowing we can share the same stage and it exposes us to an international audience too”.
Mia is impressed by the presence of youngsters in the audience. “Jazz is more confined to the jazz club scene. So when we move out to a festival format, the families came with the young ones. This is an effective way to reach out to the young,” she said the day after the show.
She is more familiar with the jazz club scene like the Flo Lounge at the Equatorial in KL.
Indeed, on both nights of the festival many parents were seen to have brought along young children, all staying right to the end, way past midnight, evidently enjoying the show and loudly cheering the jazz bands and groups.
Watch out for the next Miri International Jazz Festival scheduled for May 14-15 (Friday-Saturday), 2010.
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Mon, May 11, 2009
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