Latest news with #BakatSepilokJazz
Daily Express
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Liew backs Sepilok Jazz Festival set for September 6
Published on: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 Published on: Tue, Aug 12, 2025 Text Size: Liew (2nd left) receiving a promotional bag and a commemorative T-shirt from Yee. Kota Kinabalu: State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew expressed her Ministry's full support for the 4th Edition of Sepilok Jazz scheduled to be held on Sept 6 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sandakan. She said the contribution from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment and its agency, Sabah Tourism Board, (STB) is in aid of the Friends of Sea Turtles Education & Research (Foster) Walai Penyu, a sea turtle conservation project in Libaran. Advertisement 'By integrating music, tourism, culture and marine conservation through events such as Sepilok Jazz and Bakat Sepilok Jazz, Foster demonstrates that sea turtles conservation can be celebrated in creative and inclusive ways. 'These events not only celebrate cultural diversity but also position Sandakan as a premier ecotourism destination on the global stage,' she said after receiving an invitation to grace the Sepilok Jazz 4th Edition during a courtesy call from the President of Foster Alexander Yee and Music Director Cheong Kok Ann on Monday. On the just-concluded 2nd Edition of Bakat Sepilok Jazz that had attracted international contestants, Liew noted that this competition is fast becoming a vital platform for emerging musicians to gain global recognition. Yee thanked the Minister for the strategic collaboration and ministry support for the organisation of both the 4th Edition of Sepilok Jazz and the 2nd Edition of Bakat Sepilok Jazz. 'There is growing international interest in Sepilok Jazz, so we are targeting 3,000 visitors this time around. I hope future editions will attract even broader participation,' he enthused. According to Yee, its 4th Edition will feature world-class acts from Singapore, Germany, Thailand and Korea. This year's stellar line-up includes Jeremy Monteiro All Star Quartet feat. Tony Lakatos (Singapore/Germany), Fleche D'Or Swing Quartet (Germany), and Seoul Fizz (Korea), alongside Malaysian talents Cris Aban Trio, Wan G, Sonny B & The 1, Zizi Safira, and Appy Tots. Foster is a Sabah based non-profit organisation established in 2013, dedicated to the conservation of sea turtles, particularly around Pulau Libaran in Sandakan. Its core initiatives include turtle monitoring, hatchery management, community education, and public outreach. Since its inception, Foster has released tens of thousands of hatchlings into the sea, fostering strong partnerships with local communities, government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and eco-conscious travellers to protect these endangered marine species. Also present was the Ministry's Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Sabah youths to perform with jazz legend Ernie Watts at Sepilok Festival
KOTA KINABALU: A new music-eco collaboration will see Sabah youths take the stage with Grammy-winning jazz legend Ernie Watts at the upcoming Sepilok Jazz Festival. The opportunity arises from a partnership between Asian jazz icon Jeremy Monteiro and turtle conservation NGO Friends of Sea Turtles Education and Research, under a three-year Memorandum of Understanding. Monteiro will serve as artistic adviser and mentor, helping to design the competition format, refine its curriculum, and create pathways for Sabah's young talents to gain exposure at international jazz festivals. Bakat Sepilok Jazz music director Cheong Kok Ann said Monteiro's involvement marked a pivotal moment for the programme. "His presence opens the door to global jazz conversations and helps Sabah youths see music in a broader context," said Cheong in a statement. The 2025 edition recorded its highest participation yet, with over 105 participants across the open and school categories. Preliminary rounds are being held in Kota Kinabalu (May 2) and Sandakan (May 5), with the finals scheduled for Aug 2 at the Trinity Arts and Music Academy in Sandakan. Winners will get the chance to perform at the fourth edition of the Sepilok Jazz Festival, taking place on Sept 5 and 6 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok — alongside Watts, who has performed with Frank Zappa and The Rolling Stones. As part of the collaboration, Monteiro and FOSTER are also planning to establish a Sabah Jazz Digital Archive to preserve original compositions and creative journeys from the local music community as a long-term educational resource. The programme is designed to be inclusive and sustainable, ensuring equal opportunities for youths from diverse backgrounds, including those from rural and interior areas.
