Miri International Jazz Festival 2007 (11th May)

This post is so long overdue. We were so hyped up and excited over this trip and it was rather well planned out actually. Our flight was scheduled to depart KL at 1620hr and our infamous AirAsia pushed the flight to 1808hr. Thanks to advance cellular technologies all passengers were notified almost 18 hours in advance. The initial plan was to leave KL at 1620hr and arrive at approximately 1840hr just in time for the party at 1900hr.

Since our flight was pushed forward what else can we say but to bitch and whine about it. AirAsia lead us to another disappointment by delaying another 45minutes and we finally left at close to 1900hr knowing that the crowd is gathering at the festival. Flight was no fun! No turbulence!! Not to mention there was a mannish looking air hostess which I think her brick wall foundation coating face made her look like a drag queen. Finally we touched down at about 2120hr Miri International Airport.

We're fortunate to have a friend there in Miri town to ferry us around in his car. Zahir was at Miri's airport waiting for us for over an hour I think. His KL driving skills and style got us to the festival in a mere 10minutes. No pictures were taken on the first day because I read somewhere in the terms & conditions at the official web site that we're not allowed to bring in cameras or any recording devices. Felt like an idiot when I saw everyone carrying cameras around, security wasnt 1st class either I was expecting security running through your bags and metal detectors like airport. By the time we reached Park City Everly we missed out the first band which was one of Malaysia's best David Gomez Jazz Sextet and the second band whom was KCP4 from India/Germany was coming to an end. We're werent all crazy for music cause we're famish and food was the first thing on our mind. I called up me office mates whom was there on an earlier flight made it from the start. They looked high by the time I got there, bastards started and didnt wait up for me! Food was rather overly priced but we manage to find a stall with a reasonable Bryanni curry rice which only cost MYR5 per plate. It surely beat the the food on AirAsia hands down in price and taste.

David Gomez and the Sextet featuring vocals by Junji Delfino

Here's David Gomez, my office mate Dave and vocalist Junji Delfino

This my other office mate Jam with David Gomez's sax player Julian

Heard me mates said the David's band was amazing and we manage to catch a lil of KCP4 on the large screen outside while having our dinner. Nothing beats the feeling of cold beer rushing down your throat after a meal. My curry rice was then accompanied by good ol'Heineken and a soothing cup of Mojito (pronounced as MoeHeeToe). There were 2 stages in the fest, one was the main indoor hall called the Pavilion where all the bands performed and 1 outdoor stage under the stars was solely for the Son2Nos band.

Next up after KCP4 onwards for day one was all the ultimate bands. First in line was Lluis Coloma the Master of boogiewoogie from Spain. Lluis lead with his own piano and keyboard together with 3 saxs, a cellist and a drummer. I truly bow to the boogiewoogie master, the performance was absolutely WICKED!!! Lluis made piano playing so easy like a kid slamming on the keys. Its the 2nd consecutive year Lluis and his band playing for the Miri festival, I hope they will make a return next year. Lluis even wrote and song just for this trip to Malaysia and its called "Goin' to Malaysia"

Lluis in action

Organisers did a very well job for the audiences to move around, every time a band finishes at the in door Pavilion they need to walk out to the outdoor stage where Son2Nos will perform while the next band and engineers prepare the main stage. Me, Jam & Dave were busy drinking while enjoying the songs, then spoted David Gomez and Junji smoking at one corner and we attacked them with our pens. We all hung out together till our cigarettes burnt out and out beer bottles emptied. Junji called us geeks after she found out that we're all computer techs. WHAT A BITCH!!!

No blank paper in sight so we just used the Programme

Final band of the day1 was the New Orleans Dirty Dozen Brass band. Well the name stands on its own, tuba, trombone, sax, trumpet and fantastic MardiGras performance. By far this was and the only largest band on stage also the brightest one and I almost went blind with those flashy brass. Efrem imitated Louie Armstrong voice, Kevin with his sax and Greg with the trumpet sang away the blues. The Dirty Dozen Brass Band completely blew the audiences.

Efrem with a real good blowjob

Day 1 ended slightly past 1AM, lucky for me Elisha was keeping Mrs1$ company while went drinking and dried my eyes out with chics. Sigh If only I was still single, so many fishes in that sea that day. I'll have to admit that the event was rather big and impressive might need to improve a lil here and there but it was satisfying. Day 1 photos are all courtesy of Dave & Jam, we went our seperate ways to our own hotels. Zahir dropped Mr&Mrs $1 with Elisha back to Imperial Hotel and our 2 room apartment was big and comfy. I was slightly unhappy because I didnt get high on alcohol after 5 mojitos and 5 beers SIGH! End of first day will post more exciting and life threatening encounter in Niah Cave exploring on the 2nd day.