Hua Hin Jazz Festival

Hua Hin Jazz Festival will return 31 May to 1 June, after an absence of one year, at the seaside venue of Centara Grand Beach Resort and Villas, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

It marks the 12th anniversary of the annual jazz festival in a town that has been associated with jazz since the early days of HM the King’s reign, who invited jazz musicians for jam sessions, either at his beachside palace or at the nearby Hua Hin Railway Hotel.

Decades later, the royal town of Hua Hin re-established the  music tradition with its annual jazz festival, although the drift this year will focus on Asian jazz rather than western style bands. The line-up includes the Japanese Jun Abe Group and Les Frebes, Indonesian pianist Nita Aartsen and a number of home-grown talent from Bangkok.

Thai jazz stalwarts include Mellow Motif and Infinity will be supported by a wealth of pop and easy-listening artists, among them ETC, the Vie Trio, Artip “Keng” Charoenchaisakulsuk, Tong and Jennie, King and His Band, Cholanan “Lookpad” Limthai, Teerapak “Ten” Maneechot, “Academy Fantasia” coach Thanat “Big” Thanyaharn, Love Me Please and Asawin Duriyankul of Calories Blah Blah.

Also appearing will be Thanasit “Ton” Chaturapush from Academy Fantasia, Nonthanan “Kacha” Anchuleepradit, Rata “Tabby” Kokilanont, Pakamon “Lookpong” Bunyaputi and 123 Soul.

The organiser, Bangkok Fanatix managing director, Itthi Nana said: “We realise these are essentially pop artists, but they will be singing jazz numbers for the festival. Serious jazz does not draw large audiences so we need to expand the fan base of the festival and featuring veterans and youngsters who have a large following  will help.”

The Bt15-million festival is expected to attract 15,000 spectators over two days.

During the two years since Mr Itthi took over the management of the event, the audience has increased from 8,000 to 12,000.

Entrance is free.

Last year, the Hua Hin Jazz Festival was cancelled with little or no notice.

Sourced: ttrweekly