5 Acts To Catch At Sing Jazz 2016

PUBLISHED February 23rd, 2016 07:00 am | UPDATED June 2nd, 2020 06:46 pm

With the Singapore International Jazz Festival 2016 less than two weeks away, we hope you’re just as excited as we are for the biggest jazz music celebration in the region. In its third edition, Sing Jazz 2016 will see 20 local and international acts across three days of jazz-inspired tunes against the backdrop of Marina Bay Sands from 4 to 6 March.

If you haven’t decided which passes to buy or which day to head down, perhaps our top 5 picks of the festival’s stellar line-up will help:

BadBadNotGood

Get ready for the best of hip-hop influenced jazz beats from one of the most progressive bands out of Toronto! Having attracted attention with their jazz interpretations of hip-hop tracks, opening for Roy Ayers in 2012 was BadBadNotGood’s first big international break. Since then, the trio – Matthew Tavares on keys, Chester Hansen on bass, and Alexander Sowinski on drums – have collaborated with top-tier artists like Tyler, The Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Frank Ocean, and Leland Whitty, and played at festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza.

BadBadNotGood is scheduled to perform at Sing Jazz 2016 on 4 March.

Hiatus Kaiyote

While self-described as future-soul, we find it difficult to put a label on this funky quartet from Melbourne, Australia. Hiatus Kaiyote (‘kaiyote’ is a made up word to mean music that involves the audience’s creativity) is all sorts of cool, and their music is a cocktail of cultures and genres that attract fans all ages. Crediting Taylor McFerrin (who will also share the same stage on the 4th) for discovering them, the band is barely five years old, and have since released two albums: Tawk Tomahawk (2012) and Choose Your Weapon (2015).

Hiatus Kaiyote is scheduled to perform at Sing Jazz 2016 on 4 March.

Incognito

That’s right, Incognito is back at Sing Jazz for the third time, but who’s counting? Judging by the British acid jazz band’s last two performances here, it’s safe to say that we can expect another epic show. With a staggering repertoire of 16 albums and worldwide hits to their name like Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing and Always There, this 25 year old musical powerhouse is still best known for their explosive live shows, electrifying audiences one guitar riff and drum beat at a time.

Incognito is scheduled to perform at Sing Jazz 2016 on 5 March.

Fauxe + Mediocre Haircut Crew

Consisting of three dudes who met in school, omarKENOBI, mickeyLEANO and daniKIDDO make up Mediocre Haircut Crew. Realising that they could rhyme words together on tempo, the trio went on to discover the miracle of internet beats and a macbook mic, producing music for anyone who bothered to listen. They were invited to perform at Lush 99.5FM’s events, KL’s Raising The Bar Hip Hop Festival, and even opened for US rapper Oddisee during his Singapore stop last year.

Joining them on stage is freeform producer Fauxe, who helped produce the beats for their debut eponymous EP, THE MHC EP.

Fauxe + Mediocre Haircut Crew is scheduled to perform at Sing Jazz 2016 on 6 March.

Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club

Hailing from Havana, Cuba, the formidable 13-piece Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club has been tantalising crowds for 16 years with their enigmatic Cuban music, bringing their hometown’s unique culture to the world stage. Despite the long journey, their passion remains contagiously exuberant. Each member – whether it’s Guajiro Mirabal on the trumpet, Barbarito Torres on the laoud, or Aguaje Ramos on the trombone – puts their own spin on the cha cha chas, boleros, and son montunos while coming together as a musical whole at the same time.

Sadly, this is the final time the Cuban group will be taking the Singapore stage, as their Sing Jazz stint is part of the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® Adiós Tour.

Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club is scheduled to perform at Sing Jazz 2016 on 6 March.

BONUS: Sing Jazz’s Step Up With Latin Jazz Pop Up, 25 February 2016

If you missed Sing Jazz’s first pop-up last month, you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s another one coming right up.

Following the successful show at SingJazz Club with Tim De Cotta and Mediocre Haircut Crew, Singapore-based Havana Social Club will be taking the stage this time. Formed in 2013 as a tribute to the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club by funk, Latin and jazz drummer Pablo Colzado, the group features international talents from the likes of Cuba, Spain and Paraguay.

To get you in the mood to groove, the pop-up will kick off with a one-hour Latin dance class by acclaimed British choreographer Karen Lacey. With more than 15 years of experience under her belt, you’ll be learning way more than a few steps from this Barcelona International Dance Festival award-winner, so put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a sizzling night of Latin Jazz!

 

Step Up With Latin Jazz is happening on Thursday, 25 February 2016 at Aliwal Arts Centre from 7pm to 11.30pm. Admission is free.

For more information and tickets on Sing Jazz 2016, please click here.