Hiatus Kaiyote, YolanDa Brown and Kokoroko for inaugural Riyadh International Jazz Festival
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
The full line-up has been announced for the first edition of this new international jazz event
The inaugural Riyadh International Jazz Festival is set to take place from 7-9 February at the Mayadeen Theatre in Diriyah. Set over three nights, the festival features acclaimed international artists performing alongside emerging Arab artists whose music covers a wide spectrum of jazz, funk and soul that blend local and global influences.
Produced by the Music Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, one of 11 sector specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, the commission was established to oversee the further development and growth of the Kingdom's music sector through the launch of various initiatives, educational programs, events, festivals, and the establishment of popular venues such as The Warehouse and the recently announced Royal Diriyah Opera House.
Commenting on the festival Paul Pacifico, CEO of the Saudi Music Commission, said: “The first Riyadh International Jazz Festival is a unique opportunity to host some of the world’s most renowned music artists alongside amazing Saudi talents. It is an important step in supporting the further development of the music sector locally.”
Top international artists appearing include multi-million soul diva, Chaka Khan, Australian jazz-funk-rock band The Cat Empire, ‘TrapHouseJazz’ pioneer Masego, renowned Australian neo soul quartet Hiatus Kaiyote, jazz-reggae fusion saxophonist YolanDa Brown, and the genre-spanning British jazz ensemble Kokoroko.
Further artists appearing at the festival include up-and-coming names from the Arab music scene such as Saudi synthpop artist fulana, Saudi jazz-fusion band Garwasha, and Bahraini ‘Afro-Khaleeji’ band Majaz.
Alongside the main stage, the festival will feature a Jazz Cafe where renowned UK clarinettist Peter Long and his Orchestra will perform each night with a rotating line-up of vocalists, including Saudi artists Nourah Sings and Mazen Lawand, Sarah Alshafie, Loulwa, and Abdullah Filfilan.
For full details and tickets visit dc.moc.gov.sa/home/festivals/
