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GENTING INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2008 (GIJF) >BEN'S BELINGA QUARTET PRESS
BEN BELINGA BRINGS AFRICAN SOUL TO GENTING FESTIVAL
One of the bands that will be performing at the Genting International Jazz Festival this year is afro-soul-jazz maestro, Ben Belinga. This Cameroonian saxophone player coaxes out some of the warmest and most expressive lyrical sounds from his instrument.
Ben is a self-taught musician. He moved to Paris in 1975 and worked for 7 years with the legendary African band, Toure Kunda. He not only played with the band, but also directed and arranged all the music for the brass section.
After that, he formed his own band, Kaoma, and spent some years in the USA where he saw how far the influence of African music and rhythms had travelled.
His career moved into higher gear when he returned to Europe. The first CD he made was for the soundtrack of the movie “Clando”. So far he and his quartet have been touring extensively throughout Europe.
The music Ben’s Belinga Quartet plays is modern contemporary jazz – American arrangements with an African soul. With the different musical textures woven seamlessly into a natural flow, the quartet’s tight and balanced performance makes them sound like a much bigger band.
Ben’s Belinga Quartet will be at the Genting International Jazz Festival, which runs from 4th to 5th April 2008.
This is one of two music festivals that Genting is presenting this year as part of their Performing Arts programme.
Another festival that is making its debut in 2008 is the Genting International World Beat Festival in the first week of August that will feature world music at its most up-tempo and dynamic. Fifteen bands from fifteen different countries and cultures have been booked for the 3-day festival. More information coming soon!
In the meantime, the Genting International Jazz Festival continues its upward journey after last year’s success. Ten bands will be arriving come April.
Tickets and packages are available online at www.gentingjazz.com. The number to call is 03-2718 1118.
Be spellbound by the rich blend of African fusion jazz – and by the captivating, charismatic Ben Belinga himself.
Yeoh Jun Lin
Artistic Director
Genting International Jazz Festival
One of the bands that will be performing at the Genting International Jazz Festival this year is afro-soul-jazz maestro, Ben Belinga. This Cameroonian saxophone player coaxes out some of the warmest and most expressive lyrical sounds from his instrument.
Ben is a self-taught musician. He moved to Paris in 1975 and worked for 7 years with the legendary African band, Toure Kunda. He not only played with the band, but also directed and arranged all the music for the brass section.
After that, he formed his own band, Kaoma, and spent some years in the USA where he saw how far the influence of African music and rhythms had travelled.
His career moved into higher gear when he returned to Europe. The first CD he made was for the soundtrack of the movie “Clando”. So far he and his quartet have been touring extensively throughout Europe.
The music Ben’s Belinga Quartet plays is modern contemporary jazz – American arrangements with an African soul. With the different musical textures woven seamlessly into a natural flow, the quartet’s tight and balanced performance makes them sound like a much bigger band.
Ben’s Belinga Quartet will be at the Genting International Jazz Festival, which runs from 4th to 5th April 2008.
This is one of two music festivals that Genting is presenting this year as part of their Performing Arts programme.
Another festival that is making its debut in 2008 is the Genting International World Beat Festival in the first week of August that will feature world music at its most up-tempo and dynamic. Fifteen bands from fifteen different countries and cultures have been booked for the 3-day festival. More information coming soon!
In the meantime, the Genting International Jazz Festival continues its upward journey after last year’s success. Ten bands will be arriving come April.
Tickets and packages are available online at www.gentingjazz.com. The number to call is 03-2718 1118.
Be spellbound by the rich blend of African fusion jazz – and by the captivating, charismatic Ben Belinga himself.
Yeoh Jun Lin
Artistic Director
Genting International Jazz Festival