GruvAvenue at Sunrise!

Thank you to everyone who were there with us! The supportive response from the audience was simply the best thing any performers could have asked! By eight-thirty, the place was quickly filled by diners and jazz lovers. We have much more younger listeners compare to last year. Good signal that jazz is widely appreciated by people of all ages.

Anyone who came earlier with their instruments had the privileged to get up-close and personal, jamming on stage with the master of improvisation, Mr. Gambus. Mean while off stage, Shazzy was enjoying his five seconds of fame as in pic!

After a short break, the stage was heated with exotic belly dancing! The cameramen had his moments zooming to the erotic part... the belly button! That's the most skinny belly dancers i had seen to date. The costumes was very naughty! but i managed to capture the censored version for you guys who's can't make it there.

It was a hot night...

Blame it on the weather... or the dancers!

After Douglas' introduction, GruvAvenue kicked off their first set with "My Simple Plan" and melodious "If You Only Knew". Other songs performed including original tunes written by band-leader cum double-bassist, Vincent Ong includes R&B infused "Ease of Wine", "Black Machine Blues", emotional "Waiting for the day" and the explosive "HighLife" as closing. The whole place was packed with bunches of people. There's a group of guys with their supersize tripod, digital SLR and huges lens; taking shots and clapping so loud after each songs. Applause is always the most beautiful music for performers! you'd know what i mean when you see the grin on the performers' faces on stage!

Guest Vocalist, Rachel Guerzo's rendition of "Aqua De Beber" and "Dindi" brought images of picturesque ipanema beach to mind at instant. Paying homage to the traditions, the band and her belt out swing tunes "Taking a Chance on Love", "East of the Sun", "Devil May Care" and "Fly Me to the Moon" in three-four! If you love to sing, "Waters of March" would be the perfect challenge. Take precaution. This song require stamina and alertness.

There's so much people i would like to thank. i'm still trying to complete the list. It goes like this...

Thanks to the wonderful audience. Thanks for your tremendous support! To Sunrise Berhad and your sponsors, it's a great pleasure to perform in this fest. Thank You! To Kakiseni.com and AllDatJazz.com, your effort in publishing local jazz music is priceless. Thank You! To everyone who brought our cds including Brian, thank you for your patience and understanding. We didn't plan it'll be such chaos and haven't start practising the autographs yet ;-) To Gerard and Jim, Good sound. Thank you! To Charles and Clement, you guys rocked the stage! To Shazee, you're Man-of-the-Night as Player-of-the-Season to a football league! To Vincent, two thumbs up! To Rachel, your commitment to give the best is much appreciated. To Frida, thanks for going all out to sell the cds. The interlude was dramatic and inspiring. To my friend-Chen and the Chui family, thanks for your support! To everyone i can't manage to include here ... how could i forget you? Just write me... Part II (post mortem) is coming!