Starting on February 13, the 12th edition of the Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival presents eight days of performances by pop artists, instrumentalists and seasoned jazz musicians at Festival Park in Dubai Festival City.
On February 13, attendees can join saxophonist Tony Latkos and expert drummer Al Foster as they kick off three days of Jazz Garden: The Legends edition. On Valentine’s day, jazz pianist Kirk Lightsey and 19 time Grammy Award nominee and guitarist Larry Carlton will take the stage. Jazz-fusion and hard bop saxophonist Steve Grossman and trumpeter-composer Sean Jones will follow on February 19.
Finishing off the fest on February 20, Latin Grammy winner and flautist Nestor Torres is set to wow audiences, while the three-time Grammy Award winning jazz pianist and composer Billy Childs brings the show to its close. All shows begin at 8pm and go on until 11pm. Tickets are priced at Dh225 and are available through ticketmaster.ae.
Meanwhile on the main stage, UAE-based rockers Juliana Down and Earth, Wind and Fire Experience ft. Al McKay All Stars start off the fest on February 13 from 9pm onward. Olly Murs and The Wanted will follow on Valentine’s Day. Crooner Colbie Caillat and pop-jazz singer Jamie Cullum will take the stage on February 19 starting 8:30pm.
Legendary guitarist and household name Carlos Santana — winner of 10 Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammys — closes the festival on February 20; his performance will be preceded by Dubai Drums at 8.30pm. Tickets range between Dh350-Dh995 through ticketmaster.ae.
If you fancy some weeknight action, the annual Jazz Garden four nights of free concerts at the same venue, with the likes of Sugaray Rayford, Four 80 East, Tad Robinson and Band and Paul Shilts Weimar playing February 15-18.
