Johnny Rodgers Band a Hit at KK Jazz Festival

Sabah Institute of the Arts students doing a jam session with the Johnny Rodgers Band at a workshop. (U.S. Embassy photo)

The best of Johnny Rodgers Band at the KK Jazz Festival. (U.S. Embassy photo)

On June 15 and 16, Kota Kinabalu held its 6th Annual Jazz Festival organized by SPArKS (Society for Performing Arts) and the Rotary Club.  It served as a charity concert and was supported by the U.S. Embassy, KK City Hall, Sime Darby, Sabah Development Bank, Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment.  The U.S. Embassy was especially proud to sponsor the performance of the Johnny Rodgers Band, which hails from New York City and provided a vibrant taste of American classics in jazz, along with original tunes inspired by the history of the genre.  It was the only American band to join the regional artists at the Jazz Festival. 
 
In addition to the concert, the U.S. Embassy and KK Jazz Festival Committee organized two music workshops hosted by the Sabah Arts of Institute and Kian Kok High School. In these workshops, the Johnny Rodgers Band taught students about the history of Jazz through demonstrative performances and interactive exercises.  The students were also encouraged to improve their own individual music talents through lessons in improvisation and by performing impromptu songs with band members.
 
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr. Yee Moi Chai and Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjum attended the Jazz Festival. Rotary Club President Lawrence Thien and SPArKS President Cheong Kok Aun also attended the concert and the workshops.