James Blunt, James Morrison and Jools Holland will return to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival.
All avid fans of Dubai, the three biggest-selling acts in the event's history, will this year hold the hand of newbie Jason Mraz.
But while three of the four main acts have played in the city before, this year their view from the stage will be slightly different as the festival moves to a new home.
Having outgrown Dubai Media City, which can hold up to 8,000 each night, the annual event will take root at Dubai Festival City's Al Badia Golf Club.
"It's the most tranquil setting in the heart of the golf club," said general manager of marketing and sales at DFC, Ian Plumley. "It's 20,000 square metres of grass and impressive backdrops is what you have to look forward to. Better still the five hotels, 400 shops, 100 restaurants and cafes and 12,000 car parking spaces here make everything so accessible."
The format of the festival is also evolving with two main weekends and the five-day Jazz Garden sandwiched in between.
Thursday, February 16, will welcome Michael Roach, Acoustic Alchemy, and James Blunt to the stage for opening night followed by Jimmy Thomas & Samantha Smith, Jonathan Butler, and headliner Jools Holland And His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra on Friday, February 17.
The final weekend on Thursday, February 23, is reserved for Sandi Thom, Spyro Gyra and Jason Mraz with Dirty Robbers, Brett Dennen and James Morrison wrapping things up on Friday, February 24.
Jazz Garden, from February 11-22 highlights include All-Star Ladies Of Blues, All-Star Smooth Jazz, Cindy Bradley, Mezzatono, Julian Vaughn, Nicola Comte Jazz Combo, Gaetano Partipilo, Flavio Boltro, Althea Rene, Phillip Denny.
Tickets, priced Dh295, Dh395, Dh595 and Dh995 for main gig nights, go on sale on January 1 at Virgin Megastores and at ticketingco.com
Registration for the free invitations for the Jazz Garden starts on January 15. For tickets information, categories and prices, please visit dubaijazzfest.com.
