Macy Gray, Jools Holland for Dubai jazz fest

The annual musical extravaganza that is the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival is back with a bang next year, featuring Grammy winners Macy Gray and Train, as well as retro superstars Jools Holland and Alison Moyet.

The event will run throughout a period of 18 days of activities.

The festival kicks off with the second edition of its Jazz World concept at The Walk, Jumeirah Beach Residence, by hosting free outdoor concerts from February 1 to 7. The action then moves to Dubai Media City Amphitheater, for the third edition of its popular Jazz Garden features concerts with free admission for online registered guests from February 8 to 15, with the event’s final nights on February 16, 17 and 18.

The schedule for the final nights is below; the line-up for Jazz World and Jazz Garden has yet to be announced. Tickets will be available for sale at dubaijazzfest.com from January 10

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Mica Paris: The power, and sheer soulfulness of her singing made a major impact on the UK music scene. After twenty- two years in the business, and six albums under her belt, the UK's Soul Queen Mica Paris is back to her first passion and musical roots with her new “Born Again” receiving high critics acclaim and assuring her well-earned identity as a multitalented diva.
Time: 7pm to 8.15pm

Alison Moyet: Eighties icon Alison Moyet is a multi-award winner who is branded as one of pop’s greatest survivors, and who has helped put together the definitive anthology of her 25 years as a solo performer. Not only does she give us another chance to fall in love with her greatest hits, but also she brings back into the light some of the forgotten jewels of her glittering back catalogue.
Time: 8.45pm to 10pm

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra Featuring Ruby Turner, Louis Marshall, and Gilson Lavis: Jools Holland is a composer, pianist, bandleader and broadcaster. From playing pubs in the East End docks as a teenage greaser, to leading his rhythm and blues orchestra and selling millions of records this century, it is his passion for music that has made Jools Holland into a doyen of the music scene and a legend of showbiz with no doubt.
Time: 10.30pm to 12am

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Mindi Abair & Peter White: Abair, 41, is an American contemporary jazz saxophonist with a strong Top-40 pop music background. Mindi has toured and/or recorded with hundreds of pop and jazz stars. White, is a smooth jazz/jazz fusion guitarist who has recorded with Dave Koz, Gato Barbieri, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, Boney James and Marc Antoine. He also plays the accordion and the piano.
Time: 7pm to 8.15pm

Lifehouse: For the duration of Los Angeles-based Lifehouse's ten-year career they've been delicately balancing two identities: radio-ready song craftsmen and raucous live rock and roll band. On their forthcoming fifth studio album, “Smoke & Mirrors”, the band finally unites these two personalities. Still in their twenties, the guys in Lifehouse have an impressive resumé.
Time: 8.45pm to 10pm

Macy Gray: A sensual artist, and a unique singer songwriter, with five studio albums under her belt and a 15-million albums selling record, Macy Gray scored two Grammy Awards, two MTV awards and “I Try,” had one of the most successful singles of all time. With her fifth studio album, “The Sellout” released in June 2010; and has received five Grammy Award nominations, winning one award.
Time: 10.30pm to 12am
 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Jessy J: Her sizzling mix of hot beats, Latin and samba rhythms, instantly captivates melodies and model looks, this Mexican American saxophonist/singer proved quite the sensation with her debut CD Tequila Moon, earning her such accolades as Radio and Records’ Debut Artist of The Year and contemporary jazz song of the year by R&R and Billboard for the title track.
Time: 7pm to 8.15pm

Joshua Radin: Strongly armed with his dexterity of vocals and acoustic guitar, Joshua Radin became the uniquely word-of-mouth global success story that’s just about to get a whole lot bigger with his third album The Rock and The Rid.  Joshua’s homespun yet creative music continues to resonate with listeners and win new fans. His unique style and exceptional voice made him a must-know artist.
Time: 8.45pm to 10pm

Train: An unusual Grammy Award-winning rock band with albums peaking in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 and have sold a total of over 4 million albums in the US. Many of their songs have been top 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 including their biggest hit “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” and their "Hey, Soul Sister" which became a surprise Top 10 hit in 2010. 
Time: 10.30pm to 12am
          

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