| The United Arab Emirates consist of seven emirates, | | | | as Marwan & the Mojos, a versatile and talented |
| of which Dubai is one of the most prominent. Dubai | | | | rock-influenced group; classic Australian jazz by the |
| now features a robust economy which has made it | | | | Daniel Gassin trio; the rock-inspired jazz fusion of |
| one of the most affluent states in the world. | | | | Abstrakt Collision; the versatile ‘happy’ music |
| Although its economy was originally based on the oil | | | | of Tiger Lili; and India’s HFT who play their own |
| industry, it is now a diverse financial system | | | | brand of jazz fusion, among other performers. |
| prominently featuring financial services, property and | | | | The second instalment of the festival was the |
| tourism. Dubai is an increasingly cosmopolitan city, | | | | Network Jazz Garden, featuring such heavyweights |
| with individuals of many nationalities working in the | | | | as the Tingvall Trio, an energetic and enjoyable |
| emirate. | | | | outfit, Oli Silk, one of the UK’s famed producers |
| The Dubai International Jazz Festival has in recent | | | | and keyboardists; Nils Wuelker, an accomplished |
| years established itself as an event of note, featuring | | | | trumpet player and composer; and the sublime jazz |
| many world-renowned jazz artistes from around the | | | | of Tim Bowman, among many others. |
| world and attracting a distinctive and discerning | | | | The final section, the Main Concerts, featured such |
| audience. Performers include illustrious Grammy | | | | glitterati as professional guitarist U-NAM; the James |
| winning entertainers in the genres of jazz, pop, R&B, | | | | Taylor Quartet, a versatile and acclaimed act from |
| Indie, rock and contemporary music. This year’s | | | | the UK; The Brand New Heavies, groundbreakers of |
| edition attracted artistes from countries as diverse as | | | | the London acid jazz scene; and James Morrison, |
| UK, Ireland, Egypt, Serbia, Scandinavia and even the | | | | known as the British Stevie Wonder, among others. |
| origin of jazz, New Orleans. | | | | When selecting a Dubai hotel, the obvious choice is |
| The festival was divided into three sections, the first | | | | the Raffles Dubai. This magnificent Dubai luxury hotel |
| being the ‘World of Jazz’ with free | | | | offers elegantly appointed rooms, modern amenities |
| admission to all. This section included performers such | | | | and attentive service assuring a memorable stay. |