The Saudi capital came alive on Wednesday for the inaugural edition of Riyadh International Jazz Festival, with an eclectic line up of acclaimed global artists, including “Queen of Funk” Chaka Khan, and emerging Arab musicians.
Hosted by the Mayadeen Theatre in Diriyah and produced by the Ministry of Culture’s Music Commission, the festival, which runs until Friday, is an exciting addition to the country's ever-growing cultural scene.
While there have been smaller jazz-dedicated performances and line-ups in the past few years, RIJF is the kingdom’s first jazz festival of this scale and intends to be a permanent annual fixture.
“To my knowledge, the RIJF is the first large-scale jazz event in the kingdom. There are individual performers who have come here, but this is the first time we have curated a festival line-up of this calibre and variety,” Paul Pacifico, the chief executive of Saudi Music Commission tells The National.
“RIJF is a unique opportunity to host some of the world’s most renowned music artists alongside amazing Saudi talents. It is an important step in supporting the further development of the music sector locally.
“This festival aspires to be a credible, robust platform for local talent to be able to connect with the best in the world and also to enable Saudi audiences to experience the best in the world,” he adds.
Besides Khan, the line-up features headline international performers who have defined and redefined the nature of jazz music with their work, such as jazz-funk band The Cat Empire, “TrapHouseJazz” pioneer Masego, Australian neo soul quartet Hiatus Kaiyote, saxophonist and composer YolanDa Brown – known for her fusion of jazz with reggae and soul – and British jazz ensemble Kokoroko.
As well as showcasing international performers, fostering a platform that promotes local talent is equally important for RIJF.
Up-and-coming artists from the Arab music scene are performing at the festival, including Saudi synth-pop artist fulana, Saudi jazz-fusion band Garwasha and Bahraini Afro-Khaleeji band Majaz.
Jazz Cafe, hosted parallel to the main stage, features renowned clarinettist Peter Long and his orchestra each night, with a rotating line-up of vocalists, including Saudi artists Nourah Sings, Mazen Lawand, Sarah Alshafie, Loulwa and Abdullah Filfilan.
“By showcasing the best of Saudi and regional talent at the RIJF, we are shining a spotlight we hope other festivals will take note of,” Pacifico says. “We want to create a platform for the likes of Montreux and Montreal Jazz Festival to discover our artists.
“If they start to take note of a significant, culturally relevant jazz festival happening here in Riyadh, we hope that will provide a catalyst for them to get to know the artists here and understand what they have to say.”
RIJF runs until Friday. More information is available at www.diriyah.sa
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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UAE v Ireland
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
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EMILY%20IN%20PARIS%3A%20SEASON%203
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
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Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
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MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
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