June 24th, 2010 — 8:31pm
At the recent Hua Hin Jazz Festival I had the chance to sit down and chat with Lee Ritenour. I last interviewed him three years ago so it was great to find out what he’s been up to. This year, Lee Ritenour marks his 50th year playing the guitar but he is still sounding as fresh
June 22nd, 2010 — 8:55pm
Hua Hin, a beach resort town 200 kilometres south of Bangkok, recently held its ninth annual jazz festival. In the past, I have been extremely critical of the festival due to poor organisation and lacklustre line-ups. You could certainly be forgiven for believing that most live jazz performed in Thailand is in the Kenny G
May 25th, 2010 — 8:43pm
A few years ago I was sitting in a bar of ill repute in Chiang Mai nursing a beer when a BMW motorcycle pulled up outside. The rider dismounted, strolled into the open fronted bar and ordered a cold one. As soon as I saw the rugged biker I knew he had a tale to
May 20th, 2010 — 2:47pm
I’ve just returned from the superb Miri International Jazz Festival in Sarawak. The event is held in the beachfront garden of a hotel and attracts a crowd of around 3,000 jazz lovers. This year’s festival featured the legendary harmonica player James Cotton who fronted a very tight blues band. Now in his 70s, Mr. Cotton
May 7th, 2010 — 6:38pm
Some time ago I went to a Chinese opera in Bangkok. The shows are put on by a troupe of traveling performers on a makeshift stage, usually set up in a backstreet somewhere in the city. They kindly let me backstage and I spent an hour or so snapping away while they got ready for the
