The BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest 2022 event details revealed
This year’s event promises to be the most memorable one, showcasing 13 jazz bands across
two stages at a day-long event. The highlights among the international performers for this year
are 2 time Grammy Nominated Jazz singer and song writer, Raul Midon, the celebrated
Grammy Nominated jazz artist – Louis Banks and acclaimed jazz pianist Paul Lay. The festival
also features the Speakeasies Swing Band, Arqam Al Abri and Malavita! as part of the
international lineup. Bahrain based bands like Bahrain Jazz Collective, Majaz, Hotboxgroove and
Bahrain’s first ever big band, the Bahrain Chamber Orchestra will be hosted for an opportunity
to play at the festival alongside these much-admired global names. The festival venue is also
gearing up to be abuzz with vibrant food villages, day and night markets showcasing Bahraini
micro businesses, designated interactive children’s areas, and much more.
“The BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Festival is part of an upcoming busy events schedule, and it is the
ideal place for jazz aficionados and fans to connect. Every year the festival gives spectators
insight into Bahrain’s lively cultural scene and demonstrates the wide support that the arts
enjoy within the Kingdom.” Said Dr Qaedi.
Dr Qaedi noted that BTEA’s support for this event is part of its commitment to support a
diverse range of partners within the private tourism and entertainment sectors and has
ensured that various organisations are able to utilise various venues and facilities across the
nation. Furthermore, BTEA assists companies and organisations with their promotional and
organisational needs, working with them to overcome any challenges they face to ensure the
success of their events.
“BTEA welcomes the insights and assistance of various private sector tourism partners,
particularly those in the hospitality and entertainment fields who bring unique perspectives. It
is essential that likeminded organisations work together to boost the Bahraini tourism sector
and attract ever more tourists and visitors.” Concluded Dr Qaedi.
Get more information on calendar.bh
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jude D’Souza, Managing Director, Clockwork said: “The BNP
Paribas Jazz Fest has been a labour of our love for jazz and Bahrain. Our efforts have always
been to curate a world class event that not only brings internationally acclaimed jazz musicians
to Bahrain but also celebrates the often-overlooked local talent that Bahrain has to offer.” He
added, “Since 2017, the festival has been a platform for bringing international jazz figures to
Bahrain while at the same showcasing the best of Bahrain’s jazz talent to the world. Until now, ,
we have pushed in excess of 100,000 US Dollars back into music communities through cash
awards for locally talented musicians, artist fees and appearance engagements. Through our
presenting partner BNP Paribas, we are leveraging the continued growth of the festival to build
a jazz culture among communities in Bahrain.
Amine Bel Hadj Soulami, CEO of BNP Paribas for the Middle East and Africa said, “As dedicated
jazz supporters, BNP Paribas is pleased to be the Presenting Partner for the Bahrain Jazz Fest for
the sixth time in a row. We believe that jazz music brings people together and continually
reinvents itself. The much-anticipated musical event in Bahrain will showcase a lot of new
regional and international talents. We are particularly proud of the educational and community
events that take place in the run up to the event, nurturing jazz amongst the young talents in
Bahrain. The BNP Paribas Foundation has been supporting jazz for over 25 years in many
countries all over the world, and Bahrain is firmly on our global calendar.”
Since its inception in 2017, the festival has attracted over 20,000 visitors, hosted more than
100+ jazz musicians from Bahrain and around the world and is now firmly placed on the world
jazz map, growing in strength with every year. This year the festival will begin with a month-
long Jazz Trail of events that will dot the entire landscape of Bahrain in November, culminating
into the main event on December 2, 2022 at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club.
Mr. D’Souza added “Our recent strategic partnership with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions
Authority has allowed us to attract tourists from all over the world to Bahrain through
increased marketing and promotional activities. We are very excited and humbled to garner the
support of our partners and sponsors, encouraging us to better the show year on year and
ensure that the Bahrain Jazz Fest is a truly top-notch event for the Kingdom.”
Tickets are BD 20 per person for 15 years and above; and BD 10 for 7 – 14 years while children
6 years and under are allowed in for free. Anyone below the age of 18 years must be
accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available online and in-store at Virgin Megastore. For
more information visit www.bahrainjazzfest.com or look on social media for Bahrain Jazz Fest
Artist Profiles:
Raul Midon
American jazz artist, Raul Midón is one of the most captivating, celebrated artists of modern
jazz. Singer/songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón is on an undeniable roll. Raul is a two time
GRAMMY® Award nominee for his two previous Artistry Music/Mack Avenue Music Group
releases – Bad Ass & Blind and If You Really Want, each for Best Jazz Vocal Album
Blind since birth, Midón has collaborated with such heroes as Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder
and Bill Withers. Midón has earned acclaim the world over, with a fanbase that stretches from
San Francisco to India, Amsterdam to Tokyo and now Bahrain. The New York Times has called
Midón “a one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus.”
Louiz Banks Jazz Messengers
Grammy nominee Louis Banks is an international jazz icon, popularly known as the Godfather of
the legendary Indian Jazz scene. Louiz Banks is one of the most sought after Musicians and an
iconic Jazz artists from India with a career spanning 5 decades. He has performed with many
Globally Renowned Musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Daniels, Dave Holland, Mike Stern,
Ron Carter, Chris Porter, Tony Lakatos, Charlie Mariano, Vinnie Colaiuta, Eric Harland, John
McLaughlin, Guthrie Govan, Gary Husband. He was the Co-Producer of the Grammy nominated
Album ‘Miles From India’ a tribute to the Legendary Miles Davis. He will be playing at the BNP
Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest some of the brightest stars of modern Indian Jazz, Gino Banks, Rhythm
Shaw, Vasundhara Vee and Sheldon D’Silva
Paul Lay Trio
Paul Lay is an award winning jazz pianist from France who is a BNP Paribas Foundation
supported artist. Paul Lay is rated as one of the most exceptional cutting-edge jazz pianists in
Europe and will be playing as a trio who will open up the BNP Paribas Stage
Speakeasies Swing Band
The SSB is a renowned Greek swing jazz band that have headlined and played jazz festivals the
world over. The Speakeasies Swing Band! have been touring in Greece & in festivals abroad
since 2010.They took part in many festivals around the world and have shared the stage with
notable artists such as Parov Stelar, Ray Collins, Cherry Poppin Daddies, Hillbilly Moon
Explosion.
Arqam Al Abri
Arqam is a rising Emirati soul and blues star that features is most of the regional festivals. He
will be making his debut in Bahrain this year with a very special show blues, soul with a twist of
Arabic music.
Florence and the Bare Souls
Bristol based blues band fronted by Florence Pardoe and features musicians who have worked
with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Freyia, Ellie Ford, Backbeat Soundsystem. This up-and-coming
British blues funk band has performed on ITV, CBBC, Jazz FM and at famous festivals such as
Glastonbury, Boomtown, Shambala, Wilderness.
Malavita!
Malavita! are UK based band that will close out the BNP Paribas stage at Bahrain Jazz Fest 2022.
They have a unique sound which fuses ska, latin jazz and funk. The band will make their first
ever international debut in Bahrain. Some of the festivals that they have played include
BoomTown, Isle of Wight and the Great Estate Festival.
Bahrain Jazz Collective
This band is specifically formed for the BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest 2022 and features the all
star Bahraini jazz group of Ahmed AlQasim, Esraa J, Mohammed Rashid, Abdulla Haji and
Abdulla Adnan. Regulars at Bahrain Jazz Fest over the years in various bands, this show
promises to be unlike any other and will be flying the Bahraini flag very high.
Majaz
Majaz is an earthy 4-piece Progressive Fusion Folk band from Bahrain, a small island in the
Arabian Peninsula. Their progressive-driven fusion of genres, forged by their unconventional
blend of instruments, has been widely recognised, making them one of the island’s most unique
musical acts. Formed in 2013, Majaz has been performing live for several years and have
released their first single in October 2016. Creating a breath of fresh air away from
conventional sounds, Majaz’s performance delivers what can often be portrayed as a
progressive trip that travels through different cultures, carrying its passengers towards a
whirlwind of various dimensions of sound.
HotboxGroove
This band is a Bahrain based band comprising of some of the top musicians of Bahrain. With
their unique sound of blues, funk and fusion, the band will be playing some of their recently
released original music for the first time to a live audience. Fresh off the release of their first
single ‘ Midnight Blooms’ this is a band not to be missed
Bahrain Chamber Orchestra
The BCO is a newly formed music group made up of 30 members! Led by Scott Rogal, the band
will make theis Bahrain Jazz Fest debut with a Big Band formation in the style of New Orleans
jazz and funk
American School of Bahrain Big Band
This outstanding newly formed band is made up of students of the American School of Bahrain
and will be playing in a big band format, showcasing the jazz talent of Bahrain’s youth.
St Christophers School Big Band
This band will be making their second appearance at the Bahrain Jazz Fest and promises to be a
soulful jazzy performance by the students of St Christophers School
