One for the diary

Music fans are in for a treat when the ‘2nd Gulf Jazz Festival’ arrives in Bahrain later this month.

An impressive line-up of performers, including renowned pianist and vocalist Karen Edwards, have been booked for the event which also takes place in Kuwait and, for the first time, also in Dubai.
Witold Wnuk, director of Cracovia Music Bureau and founder of the festival, said: “We hope to cover the whole region in the coming years.
“Jazz has some common elements with Arabic music such as improvisation and expression which is one of the reasons why I want to promote jazz in this region.
“For the last 10 years we have educated a new fantastic jazz audience in Kuwait and I hope it will also happen in Bahrain, Dubai and other countries in the Middle East.
“Talking about festival development, it is also important to mention Seigi Koyanagi of Panasonic and Patrik Hallden of GAC, who being lovers of jazz music, supported the original event and now help to create the Gulf Jazz Festival.”
Here are the forthcoming festival dates for your diaries:

Bahrain
Bahrain Yacht Club & Marina
Friday, April 27, Karen Edwards/Jarek Smietana Show

Dubai
Radisson SAS Hotel
Dubai Deira Creek,
Saturday, April 28, Karen
Edwards Show
Sunday, April 29, Bobo Stenson
piano solo, Ricky Ford/Jarek
Smietana Quartet
Monday, April 30, The Rosenberg Trio

Bahrain
La Fontaine Centre for Contemporary Arts
Tuesday, May 1, The Rosenberg Trio

Kuwait
Radisson SAS Hotel
Tuesday, May 1,
Bobo Stenson piano solo, Ricky Ford/Jarek Smietana Quartet
Wednesday, May 2, Karen Edwards Show
Thursday, May 3, The Rosenberg Trio

* Tickets are available at Bahrain Yacht Club from April 27 and La Fontaine Centre from May 1.