Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - Ten foreign international jazz musicians will perform at the Asean Jazz Festival from June 22-23 in Harbour Bay, Batam, Riau Islands.

The musicians are Erik Hargrove from America, Nathasa Pattamapongs and Arnat Lamwongsrikul from Thailand, Jerry De Leon from the Philippines, Steve Thornton from Malaysia, Jeremy Tordjman from France, Kamal Musallam dari from the United Arab Emirates, Carlos Kamil from Colombia and Ian Iron from Britain.

"Actually, many of the jazz musicians want to participate, but they can not because of the limitations of the locations and times," director of Art Asean Jazz Festival Dwiki Dharmawan said here on Monday.

Indonesian jazz musicians participating in the festival include Tri Utami, Barry Likumahua and Andien.

According to Dharmawan, Indonesian and foreign musicians will collaborate during some of the performances.

Dwiki said he will play the traditional instrument from West Java, the Angklung, along with jazz, as well as traditional instruments from West Sumatera.

"We also try to blend the Malay instrument, Kompang, with jazz," he added.

Head of Batam Tourism and Culture Agency Yusfa Hendri said he hoped the Asean Jazz Festival would help to increase the number of Malaysian and Singaporean tourists coming to Batam and Riau Islands.

The Asean Jazz Festival is an annual event which was begun in 2008 by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia.

(I025/KR-BSR/O001)

Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012