14 Sep 2014
12 talented international bands to play the festive stage at Cotai Strip Resorts Macao Oct. 9-12
Twelve finalists have been selected from an impressive pool of international talent to enter the annual signature Cotai Jazz & Blues Festival competition at The Venetian® Macao, Oct. 9-12, competing for a portion of a cash prize pool of HK$550,000 over the four-day festival. Coming back for the third year, this year's festival is again supported by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, and is admission-free.
The 12 finalists were selected from over 180 applications from highly skilled musicians representing 42 nationalities. Applications were received from the United States, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Portugal, the Philippines, India, France, Brazil and beyond. Judges made their selections based on each band's submitted CV and audition reel, paying attention to style, technique, musicality and performance. The impressive number of high-quality submissions made the selection of finalists a challenging task for the judging panel.
The 12 finalists are:
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The judges will watch each of the 12 bands perform in 30-minute sets for visitors over the four days of the Cotai Jazz & Blues Festival. Bands will be assessed on their style, improvisation, technique, musicality, performance and audience response, leading to a final round with six shortlisted bands playing a half-hour set each in the final showdown on the last day of the competition. Three winners and a special recognition award will be announced at a ceremony the same evening and will take home a share of the HK$550,000 cash prize pool in the Jazz & Blues competition.
This year's experienced judging panel is comprised of four members:
- Xu Kui –Macao Conservatory saxophone and oboe teacher, and representative of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government
- Antonio Cabrita – Jazz pianist, former Director of the Macau Jazz Club, and former Director of the Macau Jazz Festival
- Michael Cloeren – Founder and producer of the Pocono Blues Festival (Pennsylvania Blues Festival)
- Tomos Griffiths – Creative Director of Entertainment, Venetian Macau Limited
Visitors to Cotai Strip Resorts Macao will experience an amazing Cotai Jazz & Blues Festival this year. The Venetian Macao's outdoor lagoon will be transformed into New Orleans' world famous Mardi Gras once again through performers, lights, beads, international food and music. Visitors can enjoy the extensive fairground with kids' areas, face painting for children, outdoor gondola rides, chill-out areas and a floating stage. Revellers can also watch fantastic admission-free jazz performances at the outdoor lagoon area, including rising jazz superstar Anthony Strong, plus 2013 festival champion Bleu Rascals and 2013 festival finalist Andy Frasco and the U.N. Adding even more fun, there will also be jazz performances at The Venetian Macao's St. Mark's Square during the four-day festival, surprising visitors and guests throughout Cotai Strip Resorts Macao with delightful performances.
The Cotai Jazz & Blues Festival is open 6 p.m. to midnight Thursday and Friday (Oct. 9-10), and 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 11-12).Competition winners will be announced 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
For high resolution photos, please access one of the following:
Via Web browser:
http://tinyurl.com/Cotai-Jazz-Blues-2014
Via FTPS software:
FTPS location: vmlftp.venetian.com.mo
Port: 990
User name: VEN-PRMedia
Password: PR-Media (case sensitive)
Folder: PR-Media/Events/Cotai Jazz Blues 2014
About the Cotai Jazz & Blues Festival Competition
The Cotai Jazz & Blues Festival competition is in its third year, open to all international jazz and blues performers – individual artists, vocalists and instrumentalists alike, as well as groups of up to six musicians.
Reviewed by a panel of high-profile, industry-leading music veterans, 12 successful entrants enjoy a package of flights, ferry tickets, accommodation and food & beverage sponsored by Cotai Strip Resorts Macao. Spanning the four-day festival, the competition features a chance to take home part of a cash prize pool of HK$550,000.
First Place: HK$250,000
Second Place: HK$150,000
Third Place: HK$100,000
Special Recognition Award: HK$50,000
For images and information on the finalists visit:
http://en.cotaistrip.com/macau-shows/cotai-jazz-and-blues-2014.html
Details of the event are as follows:
Date:
Oct. 9-12, 2014
Venue:
Outdoor lagoon area, just outside the main lobby of The Venetian Macao
Hours:
Thursday-Friday, Oct. 9-10: 6 p.m. to midnight
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 11-12: 1 p.m. to midnight
Oct. 12 (11:30 p.m.) Jazz and Blues competition winners announcement
Admission:
Free
Free face painting for kids available Thursday and Friday 6 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to midnight. Outdoor gondola rides available Thursday through Sunday 6 p.m. to midnight.
About Cotai Strip Resorts Macao – Macao's Integrated Resort City
Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao has transformed a gaming-centric day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.
Pulsating with life, both night and day, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with 600 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.3 million square feet (120,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia's leading conferences and exhibitions, gaming excitement, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including international restaurants, bars and lounges. Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is a must-see destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.
Comprised of The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel; The Plaza™ Macao, featuring the Four Seasons Hotel Macao; and Sands® Cotai Central, featuring the world's largest Conrad, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn hotels, Cotai Strip Resorts Macao is where Asia's ultimate destination is all within reach.
Cotai Strip Resorts Macao….Macao Starts Here. For more information, please visit
Media Enquiries
Public Relations, Venetian Macau Limited
Lily Cheng
Tel: +853 8118 2013
Email: lily.sw.cheng@sands.com.mo
Andrina Leong
Tel: +853 8118 2010
Email: andrina.leong@sands.com.mo
