Phuket feast for Jazz lovers – and charity
Franck Blanchard is the band's bassist
For romantics who enjoy jazz, French group Jazz Cool Band (JCB) will play a one-night gig in Phuket Town on February 14 – Valentine’s Day – in the Suan Chaleamprakiet 72 years Queen Sirikit Park (next to the Tourism Authority of Thailand offices on Thalang Rd).
The nine-piece band – which includes sax, clarinet, piano, bass, trombone, trumpet, bugle and drums, fronted by Jean Louis Nguyen Qui on vocals and sax – have two agendas: to promote the big-band jazz sound, and to help raise money for charity. In the case of the Phuket concert, organised by the Rotary Club of Tongkah, the funds raised will go to improving the the library at Bang Niew School in Phuket Town.
This is JCB’s first performance in Phuket, but the band are no strangers to Thailand. They played charity concerts in Bangkok in 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Last year they did a tour that took in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok and Khon Kaen. They have also released four CDs, each linked to raising charity funds.
Their repertoire includes jazz classics by musicians such as Glen Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, along with favourites performed originally by crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole.
They also sing in French, Brazilian and Chinese, and since coming to Thailand, have added some of HM the King’s jazz compositions. – sure favourites with Thai audiences – to their playlist.
In Phuket, the band will be the highlight of an evening of entertainment featuring a classic and exotic cars show and a performance by the Phuket Youth Chamber Orchestra. These, on ground level, will be free, with the gates opening at 5pm.
JCB will play on the upper floor, above the car park, from 7 to 9:30pm, with a half-hour break at 8pm. Tickets to their performance will cost 1,500 baht apiece.
For samples of JCB in performance, visit their MySpace page.
