Special Features
Dubai Festival City - The New Home For Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival
Dubai Festival City will serve as new home for the 10th edition of Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival, which will see an outstanding line-up of legends, stars and divas converge on a specially designed, acoustically enhanced venue from February 16-24 February 2012.A fresh format will celebrate the 10 years of the globally acknowledged festival of jazz across 9 days with three exclusive shows every night, allowing thousands of music enthusiasts a glorious opportunity to listen to some of the finest music genres. The Festival will feature a chilled atmosphere with comfortable seating and seating-free zones and alongside a specially created Food & Beverage zone by InterContinental Hotel-Dubai Festival City.
The 2012 Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival will present concerts and performances as a celebration of key moments in the 10-year history of the multi-award winning event.
The Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival has now grown to an annual event featuring world-class artists and performers covering all genres of music, ranging from blues, funk, swing, acid, rock, contemporary, modern, and fusion. This year the international event takes a different hue, enhanced by the beautiful setting of the Al Badia Golf Course that skirts the Jazz Festival grounds that in turn overlooks the majestic Dubai skyline. Coupled with this is the ease of parking for more than 12,000 vehicles.
The 2012 Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival will introduce its new format celebrating a decade of achievements. Starting up with the first weekend of Main Gigs: (16 & 17 Feb.), it is followed by five nights of the Jazz Garden: (18 & 22 Feb.), and finally ties up with a second weekend of Main Gigs: (23 & 24 Feb.) The ‘Jazz Garden’ event from 18-22 Feb. promises spectacular music filled nights with 15 international jazz artists featuring a mix of the finest jazz shows from all around the world.
The Main Gigs weekends on 16-17 & 23-24 Feb. will host ticketed mega concerts featuring the cream of the world-class artists delivering pure high-energy entertainment. James Blunt, Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and James Morrison, will all make a return for the celebratory edition in February, along with Jonathan Butler, Brett Dennen and Spyro Gyra. The long awaited artist and the multi-talented superstar Jason Mraz will add on to the list of previous performers bringing on a very special show.
Anthony Younes, Managing Director of Chillout Productions, (founder and organiser) of the Dubai International Jazz Festival said the new venue is a celebratory statement for the 2012 edition, which is going to be one of the finest in the event’s 10-year history. “We are very excited to have Dubai Festival City as the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival’s new home. The move was necessary in order to accommodate what we believe will be a record attendance for the 10th edition. Dubai Festival City has hosted some grand international events in the past so playing host to the Jazz Festival was a natural choice that had to happen,” said Younes.
Skywards, Emirates’ award-winning frequent flyer programme has been the mainstay of the jazz festival as title sponsor since 2007. Brian LaBelle, Senior Vice President, Skywards said: ‘We are delighted to support the success of the jazz festival now in its 10th year. During that time the Dubai Jazz Festival has done much to contribute to the growing arts and cultural scene in Dubai and has contributed substantially to our profile as a truly international city and top-notch tourist destination. As title sponsors of the Dubai International Jazz Festival, we look forward to extending exclusive live-music opportunities to jazz aficionados from across the region.”
Eyad Al-Kourdi, Vice President & Country Manager, UAE, MasterCard Worldwide commented: “MasterCard’s sponsorship, for the third consecutive year, of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2012 reflects our ongoing efforts to provide cardholders with superior benefits that match their lifestyle. MasterCard cardholders can enjoy world-class music performances and also avail exclusive discounts and benefits.”
For tickets information, categories and prices, please visit www.dubaijazzfest.com
