Singapore International Jazz Festival 2018 Returns

30 January 2018 [Singapore] – The eagerly anticipated 5th anniversary of the Singapore International Jazz Festival (SING JAZZ) 2018 returns to the iconic Marina Bay Sands from 6 to 8 April, and is all set to excite over 20,000 fans with a distinctively curated musical line-up. The three-night music extravaganza spans across multiple stages around the integrated resort to feature Jazz and all its affiliated genres, including Soul, Blues, Latin, Funk, R&B, Hip-Hop, World Music and Electro Swing.

The Main Stage and The Late Show combine with an impressive 30-hours of live music by 12 mega-acts across the entire weekend. On Friday 6 April, Electro Swing sensations, Parov Stelar will headline the sunset sessions on The Main Stage by the waterfront at Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, introducing a massive weekend of music.

‘Super Saturday’ features a stunning programme comprising five-time Grammy Award-winning soul singer Lalah Hathaway, and jazz-pop genius Jamie Cullum on The Main Stage, with legendary hip-hop and soul artist Ms. Lauryn Hill headlining The Late Show.

Performing in Singapore for the very first time, Ms. Hill’s show will be one of the most highly anticipated performances of the year, fittingly as her monumental album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, hailed as “one of the most incredible albums ever made”, marks its 20th anniversary in 2018.

Setting the scene for party-goers, the electric atmosphere of The Late Show indoors at Sands Expo and Convention Centre will be designed as an intimate concert arena (complete with VIP tables), taking the late-night experience till 4am on both Friday 6 and Saturday 7 April.

The Main Stage (Fri 5.00pm to 10.30pm; Sat & Sun 4.00pm to 10.30pm)

Friday 6 April – PAROV STELAR
Saturday 7 April – LALAH HATHAWAY; JAMIE CULLUM
Sunday 8 April JASSO (The Jazz Association SG Orchestra) led by Jeremy Monteiro; HOUSE OF THE GYPSIES (from the Gypsy Kings alumn); BRAND NEW HEAVIES; and INCOGNITO featuring OMAR and LEEE JOHN

The Late Show (10pm to 4am)

Friday 6 April – to be announced
Saturday 7 April – MS. LAURYN HILL
And many more to come…

“We’re delighted to be presenting a diverse and acclaimed collection of artists for SING JAZZ 2018! We have a 100-strong team working to build a fantastic festival presenting award-winning world-class music for tens of thousands of fans from the region and beyond,” says David Smith, Artistic Director of SING JAZZ.

Director of The Late Show, Robbie Hoyes-Cock adds, “Following the success of the inaugural Late Show party in 2017, the venue for 2018 has been dramatically expanded as we look to accommodate more superstar acts in a nightclub-style space, offering an up close and personal experience for VIP Table buyers.”

The Main Stage

The Main Stage is the heart and soul of SING JAZZ. This year doors open on Friday afternoon and culminates later in the evening with the award-winning Parov Stelar. Considered the pioneers of Electro Swing, they broke through the international music scene receiving global recognition with tracks being used on hundreds of compilations worldwide, as well as numerous movies, TV shows and ads. Their unique sound and the unorthodox combination of musical genres will have fans old and new jumping and jiving away the evening.

Saturday night will feature the soulful sounds of five-time Grammy winner and R&B artist Lalah Hathaway. The contralto singer and songwriter’s unmistakable vocals have been sought after by the most powerful names in music. Fresh from collaborating with Pharrell Williams on their track ‘Surrender’, a heavyweight contribution to the remarkable ‘Hidden Figures’ soundtrack, as well as featuring on Kendrick Lamar’s revolutionary ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’, Hathaway’s unforgettable vocal prowess will leave an indelible mark at this year’s landmark event.

For the fifth-year anniversary, SING JAZZ sees the return of the UK’s most popular jazz artist, Jamie Cullum, who headlined the inaugural SING JAZZ festival in 2014 to a sold-out show. The extraordinary vocalist and pianist has sold over 10 million albums worldwide, the first ever jazz musician to do this.

Cullum’s incredibly intuitive creativity has achieved phenomenal success due to his natural ability to smudge musical boundaries. The former jazz student and big band drummer has produced tracks for OneRepublic, Adele, Pharrell Williams, and Kid Cudi, and performed at iconic venues such as The Blue Note in New York and London’s Ronnie Scotts, and Madison Square Garden supporting fellow piano man Billy Joel.

SING JAZZ celebrates Singapore’s very own JASSO (The Jazz Association SG Orchestra) led by the ‘King of Swing’ Jeremy Monteiro. Joined by local songbirds Melissa Tham and Alemay Fernandez, Monteiro has combined their superb vocal talent with an orchestra made up of 24 jazz musicians, together with the most outstanding members from their youth orchestra.

Four decades on since The Gypsy Kings burst onto the scene with their wild and ecstatic Spanish rumba no-one has followed in their footsteps. Until now. Selected for their explosive and energetic performances, SING JAZZ is proud to present Gypsy Kings alumni’s – Cedric Leonardi, Patchai Reyes and Fred Breton – performing their vision of House Of The Gypsies (HOTG).

Setting the stage ablaze, HOTG will take the raw nomadic rhythms that trace gypsy culture 1,500 years ago to the original gypsy tribe of Rajasthan, to seamlessly integrate their soulful gypsy fusion. Hitting a nostalgic note, fans will hear some of their favourites including ‘Bambaleo’ and ‘Volare’.

Funk royalty and heroes of the 90s acid jazz scene, the Brand New Heavies will take centre stage for a fun performance by the fabulous Sulene Fleming. With over 2.5 million records sold, 16 Top 40 UK singles and 2 double-Platinum selling albums, The Heavies are best known for a string of hits such as ‘Brother & Sister’, ‘Midnight at the Oasis’ and the super-catchy track ‘Never Stop’.

For the spectacular finale who better to wrap up the celebrations of the fifth SING JAZZ festival than regulars Incognito who this time will be joined on stage by special guest artists British soul singers and musicians Omar, known for the smooth sounds of ‘There’s Nothing Like This’, and ‘Imagination’ singer/songwriter Leee John.

In a career spanning 30 years, Omar has worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, and Angie Stone to name a few. While Leee John adds to the groove factor, having released a number of dance tracks as well as a mixture of jazz standards and original compositions.

In a luxuriously appointed private area, the Champagne Terrace created in collaboration with Billecart-Salmon Champagne is back, offering an elevated view of The Main Stage coupled with table service for a sophisticated evening under the stars.

The Late Show

Headlining the indoor stage of The Late Show at Sands Expo on Saturday night is none other than the global music phenomenon that is Ms. Lauryn Hill. The American singer-songwriter-rapper and record producer is renowned for her stylistic mastery and ability to perform a powerful hybrid of musical influences including R&B, soul, neo soul, hip-hop, folk and reggae-infused music.

Performing for the very first time in Singapore, SING JAZZ’s The Late Show is ecstatic to welcome Ms. Hill, the multi-talented artist who established a reputation in the music world as the lone female member of The Fugees, a band whose record sales make them the second biggest selling R&B act worldwide since Michael Jackson.

New this year, the Diablo Lounge will be open to all guests of The Late Show who are keen to enjoy a bottle of wine, spirits or champagne, this hosted by one of the worlds most admired wine brands, Casillero del Diablo. Meanwhile, The Late Show VIP ticket-holders can expect VIP table service in an exclusive VIP Lounge catering up to 20 guests per table booking.

The Late Show commences at 10pm, and guests can party all the way until 4am on both Friday and Saturday night.

Sponsors & Partners

In addition to welcoming some of the biggest musical names to Singapore, SING JAZZ is also very proud to announce partnerships with some of the most recognised brands in the world.

Returning for the fifth year as Official Venue Partner and strong supporter of the Festival is the iconic Marina Bay Sands, while international airline British Airways comes on board for the first time as Official Airline Partner.

Guests of the Billecart-Salmon Champagne Terrace can look forward to sipping on flutes of Billecart-Salmon Champagne, from an elevated and premium view of The Main Stage.

Festival crowd favourites Tiger Beer and Strongbow Cider have returned for another year as Official Beer and Official Cider respectively; together with Coca-Cola© as Official Beverage of SING JAZZ.

Official Wine Casillero del Diablo is another newcomer, joining Campari as Official Spirit, and Red Bull the Official Energy Drink, adding to the list of best-in-class sponsors.

Other participating sponsors and partners of SING JAZZ are the Singapore Tourism Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore.

Sing Jazz 2018 Ticketing

***Early Bird Tickets go on sale Thursday 1 February at 12 noon SGT***
Tickets for the Singapore International Jazz Festival 2018 available at www.marinabaysands.com/ticketing and www.apactix.com

The Main Stage

Early Bird $108 (until 10 February 2018)
General Admission from $138
Billecart-Salmon Champagne Terrace access pass at $288 (including one
bottle of Billecart-Salmon Champagne)
VIP Passes at $328 (includes free-flow bar and gourmet food)

The Late Show

Early Bird from $108 (until 10 February 2018)
General Admission from $138

VIP Passes

From 4 guests at $1,488 (including one magnum of Billecart-Salmon Champagne and one bottle of Ciroc Vodka); to 20 guests at $9,888 (including six magnums of Billecart-Salmon Champagne and two bottles of Ciroc Vodka)

Full One Day Pass

General Admission to The Main Stage AND The Late Show at $248

Full Festival Weekend Pass

Unlimited access to The Main Stage and The Late Show at $488
To book tickets and view artist updates, please visit www.sing-jazz.com
Current scheduled line-up for Singapore International Jazz Festival 2018 (early release acts):

The Main Stage (Fri 5.00pm to 10.30pm; Sat & Sun 4.00pm to 10.30pm)

Friday 6 April – Parov Stelar
Saturday 7 April – Lalah Hathaway; Jamie Cullum
Sunday 8 April JASSO (The Jazz Association SG Orchestra) led by Jeremy Monteiro; House Of The Gypsies (from the Gypsy Kings alumni); Brand New Heavies; and Incognito featuring Omar and Leee John