Jazz Royale Festival

[george]

TAT to hold the "Jazz Royale Festival" of the year to honour our beloved

King.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is to hold the inaugural

greatest jazz festival of the year, "Jazz Royale Festival", with the

cooperation from the Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. , TMB

Bank Public Company Limited, and TMB Asset Management Co., Ltd.

The purpose of organizing this festival is to honour His Majesty King

Bhumibol Adulyadej, as the world's royal musician, on the occasion of

his 80th birthday celebration in 2007.

The event will be held during December 9-17, 2006, with more than

100 world-class artists and staff taking part. Led by Kenny G, McCoy

Tyner, Nancy Wilson, Chris Botti, Regina Carter Quintet, and The Dizzy

Gillespie™ All-Star Big Band, the event will take place in four main

cities of Thailand, comprising Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

Part of the proceeds will go to H.M. the King's royal patronage projects.

Tourism and Sports Minister, H.E. Dr. Suvit Yodmani said that the

purpose of holding the "Jazz Royale Festival" is to celebrate H.M. the

King's 80th birthday on December 5, 2007. The event is aimed to attract

foreigners from both Asian and Western countries, including those who

live in the Kingdom and local people.

It's also in line with TAT's plan to boost the tourism industry in Thailand and

encourage foreigners to visit the country. It will also be a great opportunity to join this

special occasion together. The Minister is also considering including

the jazz festival in the calendar and encouraging tour agents to promote

this event as one of the country's attractions.

The festival will be held on four stages. It will take place in four

cities. The first stage will start in Bangkok at Sanam Suapa during

December 9-10.

The second stage will follow at the Horseshoe Point in

Pattaya during December 11-12. The third stage will be held at Sanam Hor

Silp in Chiang Mai University during December 14-15, and the curtain

will close at Karon Beach in Phuket during December 16-17.

In this occasion, all the artists will play H.M. the King's musical

works. This unprecedented event will be accounted as the biggest jazz

festival in the country's history.

The artists that have confirmed to participate are all well-known

worldwide including:

Kenny G

Kenneth Gorelick, better known by his stage name Kenny G, is an American

saxophonist whose fourth album 'Duotones' brought him to fame in 1986.

Kenny's main instrument is the soprano saxophone, but he also plays the

alto and tenor sax on occasions.

McCoy Tyner

Alfred McCoy Tyner is Tyner's full name. He is a jazz pianist from

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, best known for his work with the John

Coltrane Quartet. He once joined with John Coltrane, the world's top

five famous artist.

James Moody

James Moody is one of the outstanding jazz saxophonists and flutists. A

column in one leading newspaper once claimed that jazz can be divided

into two categories - James Moody's type of jazz and the other.

The Dizzy Gillespie™ All-Star Big Band

The Dizzy Gillespie™ All-Star Big Band is another jazz phenomena that

has inspired new jazz faces to the industry.

Paquito D'Rivera

Paquito D'Rivera is a Cuban-born, Grammy-winning jazz and classical

saxophonist and clarinetist.

Chris Botti

Chris Botti is an American trumpeter and composer; born in Portland,

Oregon. The jazz heart-throb has a number of fans worldwide.

Other artists include Marta Topferova, Ahmad Jamal, Cherryl Hayes,

Claudio Roditi, Nancy Wilson, Regina Carter Quintet, and Georgie Fame.

Tickets are 2,000 Baht for Bangkok and 1,500 Baht for provincial venues.

The tickets are available at Thai Ticket Master (Tel. 0-2262-3456

www.thaiticketmaster.com ) and TAT

Head Office. For provincial venues, tickets are also available at TAT

offices in Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket.

For more information, please contact TAT Call Center 1672 or E-mail :

[email protected]