Immerse yourself in music - The Mercedes Benz Colombo Jazz Festival is back! 

A Mainstage event, the Mercedes Benz Colombo Jazz Festival opens on the 18th and 19th of February at the Galle Face Hotel. Following on the immense success of it’s inaugural festival in 2016, this year's event has expanded to cover two days with over 45 artists. The concept behind the festival is a music, culinary and art event, that promises to combine and showcase the talents of the best international jazz artists as well as artists of national renown. 

The stunning heritage property the Galle Face Hotel, in Colombo, will welcome global music fans to jazz-centric celebration, where fans of all types of jazz-related music rub shoulders with aficionados of the genre. The Galle Face Hotel, an iconic historic property, has long supported the arts and been a popular choice with performers passing through the capital. Duke Ellington was a guest in 1963, visiting what was then called the Coconut Grove (now the Jubilee Ballroom), a nightclub where Radio Ceylon broadcast and Mignonne Fernando and The Jetliners got their break. The hotel was so popular and the parties so legendary that guests would often sleep in and miss their ships. 

The lineup is the culmination of the festival’s commitment to bringing a diverse and unique group of jazz musicians to Colombo to deliver a collection of performances that includes, exciting new artists, international and local jazz legends and groups all connected around presenting unique musical experiences in a first for Colombo. 

Colombo is a place filled with soul, culture and creativity, and we have a great legacy of music here. The group, which is the headlining the festival - a Mainstage Event, is Incognito, which as been labeled as everything from pop band to Latin jazz ensemble, from '70s-styled funk crew to an acid-jazz collaboration. It is best defined in terms of its leader, guitarist-vocalist-composer Jean Paul (Bluey) Maunick. Over the course of the ensemble's history and its 16 albums, Bluey, as he prefers to be known, has explored his own musical passions, passions that embrace all those categories. 

Based on groove rhythms, Bluey's music has been in constant flux, encompassing a variety of forms anchored all the while by his original inspirations: Herbie Hancock, Earth, Wind & Fire and especially Stevie Wonder. His record production credits include legendary artists such as Paul Weller, George Benson, Maxi Priest; he has also collaborated with Stevie Wonder. 

Another jazz legend performing is Mud Morganfield who describes the resemblance of the tone and timber of his voice to that of his father’s voice as a double edged sword. The similarity is evident in For Pops: A Tribute To Muddy Waters, an album on which Morganfield performs several Muddy Water's songs. Morganfield launched his music career in blues clubs on the south side of Chicago, where he performed a mix of his father’s material and his own original works. “I'm not Muddy Waters and I'm certainly not trying to be Muddy Waters. I'm Mud Morganfield but when I'm up on stage I always feel Pops is there with me and it means so much that I can get on stage and keep his music alive around the world.” 

The Kevin Davy Quartet, Kevin Davy is a London-based trumpeter, composer, arranger and bandleader. In a career spanning three decades, he has amassed an extensive recorded discography, which includes work ranging from musical theatre to modern jazz and contemporary music. In the last few years, Kevin has returned to small jazz, notably his own quartet, while still making occasional appearances with larger groups. 

Geoffrey Fernando of famed Sri Lankan band Purple Rain will also perform, his unique vocal style and graceful stage presence makes Geoff one of the best live entertainers to be experienced. 

Jerome Speldewinde's powerful vocal styling makes for a compelling combination when paired with his guitar skill and is really one to watch from the stellar lineup of local artists. 

Brown Sugar, regulars at 41 Sugar are one of the island's up and coming jazz sextet whose brilliantly quirky performances have made them a firm favourite in the island's music scene. 

From noon to midnight, The Mercedes Benz Colombo Jazz Festival will all take place at the iconic Galle Face hotel, designed to meet festival-goers’ every need, in the heart of Colombo with the beauty, sounds of the ocean and the cool breeze that drifts in, as its spectacular setting. The Festival will also host an irresistible “Feastival” with an incredible array of speciality foods including picnic baskets with a delicious selection of cheeses and charcuterie. Wine and champagne bars among others will also be a part of the festival. All of these elements will be installed at the Galle Face Hotel with architectural precision, turning the Festival site into a city within a city - a cultural wonderland showcasing the soul of Sri Lanka. Filled with music, food and energy, the festival aims to bring alive culture and spirit that defines jazz. 

As there are a limited number of tickets available, early booking is advisable. Tickets will be available from Sugar Bistro at Crescat and at Odel, 41 Sugar, PR and the Galle Face Hotel. They can also be purchased on line at www.colombojazzfestival.com.Tickets are priced at 5000 LKR for a day pass for either day and 8000 LKR for the weekend pass which includes entry for both days, children (under 12) are half price and toddlers are free.