HISTORY
Sponsors
The management and team at Chillout Productions, passionate about Jazz and music, felt that there was a gap in the market for Jazz and similar genre of music in the region. Based on extensive research conducted over two years, the theme of "Much more than Jazz" was introduced for the first time with the initiation of the Dubai International Jazz Festival, which has now grown to an annual icon featuring world-class artists and performers covering all genres of Jazz music as diverse as blues, funk, swing, acid, rock, contemporary, modern, and fusion.
1st edition "2003"
The first Jazz Festival was held in Dubai and with the support of the main sponsors "Philips" as title sponsor and "Cadillac" as presenting
sponsor, and "Yamaha" as the official Instrument provider. In 2003, the festival drew a record crowd of 8000 Jazz fans to Dubai Media City. For
a first time event, the festival proved a resounding success and received the support of some of the big international Jazz musicians and many
multinational corporate supporters.
2nd, 3rd and 4th Edition "2004, 2005 and 2006"
For its second edition (2004), the festival almost doubled its audience reaching 15,000, and for its third edition (2005) the number of fans grew to over 18,000 marking a 20% growth. The three-day festival developed to cover the entire DMC lakeside area increasing the number of stages
to three and the number of shows to six per night, giving fans more opportunity not to miss any of the acts. As for the 2006 edition, the festival
attracted more than 21,500 music lovers from Dubai, and neighboring countries. In 2006 the festival won the "What's On Awards" as the Favorite
Festival in the UAE.
5th Edition "2007"
The 5th edition Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival gathered more than 25,000 fans flocked to Dubai from the GCC region and a new
crowd from Europe. An outstanding line-up captured the great audience to witness the amazing shows of the talented Jamie Cullum, TOTO,
international Diva Dee-Dee Bridge Water and the legendary Freddy Cole. The festival was able to re-acquire the 2007 "What's On Award" as the
Favorite Festival.
6th Edition "2008"
FREE CONCERTS FOR ALL! For its 6th edition, Chillout Productions extended the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival for 10
consecutive days to cater to the hunger audience of various music flavors, and to give the opportunity for all to enjoy additional exclusive shows
and top performances. Chillout Productions exceeded all expectations by being "the pioneers" for offering free admission concerts across the
city. The first seven days of the festival, featured 14 international bands consisting of new international talents, which rotated between two new
venues; the Dusk Terrace, Radisson SAS Hotel DMC, and the Marina Square, Dubai Festival City with free admission for all.
Last three days were held at Dubai Media City Outdoor Amphitheater featuring music prodigies like Jesse Cook, pop idol David Gray and The Bee Gee's Robin Gibb with a vital line-up of artists. The 6th edition witnessed an increase of fan base with a record of 28,500 music lovers throughout the 10 days creating a new chapter in the history of the festival. For its 6th edition, the festival won the Best Public Entertainment Event In The Middle East award during the Middle East Event Awards.
Last three days were held at Dubai Media City Outdoor Amphitheater featuring music prodigies like Jesse Cook, pop idol David Gray and The Bee Gee's Robin Gibb with a vital line-up of artists. The 6th edition witnessed an increase of fan base with a record of 28,500 music lovers throughout the 10 days creating a new chapter in the history of the festival. For its 6th edition, the festival won the Best Public Entertainment Event In The Middle East award during the Middle East Event Awards.
7th Edition "2009"
The 10 days festival featured great names in the world of music ranging between blues, Jazz, rock and pop with an approximate total of 30 acts, James Blunt, John Legend, Incognito and a rich palette of Jazz legends highlighted the festival.
The Jazz Garden a newly created concept for the 7th edition of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival, added a great charm and coziness to the overall atmosphere inviting fans to enjoy the best jazz rhythms featuring the finest and most popular local bands, and Armenia's greatest Jazz bands in addition to internationally renowned artists. The Jazz Garden was the official home of the after shows jamming sessions.
For the first time in United Arab Emirates, 6 of Armenia's finest Jazz bands performed during the 7 first nights of Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2009 edition at the Jazz Garden. The outstanding compilation of artists and musicians achieved critical acclaim for their talents, and music genre throughout the years.
The attendance of the 10 days topped 30,000 fans from across the region adding another success to the festival record. The 7th edition reaped the What's On Award 2009 for the Favorite Festival and the Best Marketing of An Event at the Middle East Event Awards.
The Jazz Garden a newly created concept for the 7th edition of the Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival, added a great charm and coziness to the overall atmosphere inviting fans to enjoy the best jazz rhythms featuring the finest and most popular local bands, and Armenia's greatest Jazz bands in addition to internationally renowned artists. The Jazz Garden was the official home of the after shows jamming sessions.
For the first time in United Arab Emirates, 6 of Armenia's finest Jazz bands performed during the 7 first nights of Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2009 edition at the Jazz Garden. The outstanding compilation of artists and musicians achieved critical acclaim for their talents, and music genre throughout the years.
The attendance of the 10 days topped 30,000 fans from across the region adding another success to the festival record. The 7th edition reaped the What's On Award 2009 for the Favorite Festival and the Best Marketing of An Event at the Middle East Event Awards.
8th Edition "2010"
Despite all market challenges the festival witnessed a further expansion with the participation of more supporters and partners. With the support of du the Official Telecom Partner and Dubai Shopping Festival 2010, the Skywards Dubai International festival extended its program to 17 nights full of music and concerts, launching the first edition of the World Of Jazz a fresh creative concept of street entertainment, with free concerts for all, preceding the 7 nights of the Jazz Garden and the main concerts at Dubai Media City. A total of 42 bands participated at the 8th edition, flocking from all over the globe and hosting a great compilation of local bands.
The Jazz Garden hosted 14 shows of well renowned artists, featuring with the collaboration of Hamburg Representative office in UAE, the Hamburg jazz professionals and a selection of Trippin "N" Rhythm records artists.
The main concerts were headlined by the Acid Jazz pioneers The Brand New Heavies, James Morrison, David Gray, Laura Izibor, Brett Dennen, Jane Monheit, Charbel Rouhana, James Taylor quartet amongst others.
The attendance of the 8th edition topped 42,000 fans throughout the 17 nights, receiving a great applaud from the audience for what it offered in terms of variety of names and music genres. The festival added to its list of awards the Time Out Nightlife Awards as The Best Music Festival in 2010 and the AHLAN! "Best In Dubai Award" as the Best Music Event in 2010.
The Jazz Garden hosted 14 shows of well renowned artists, featuring with the collaboration of Hamburg Representative office in UAE, the Hamburg jazz professionals and a selection of Trippin "N" Rhythm records artists.
The main concerts were headlined by the Acid Jazz pioneers The Brand New Heavies, James Morrison, David Gray, Laura Izibor, Brett Dennen, Jane Monheit, Charbel Rouhana, James Taylor quartet amongst others.
The attendance of the 8th edition topped 42,000 fans throughout the 17 nights, receiving a great applaud from the audience for what it offered in terms of variety of names and music genres. The festival added to its list of awards the Time Out Nightlife Awards as The Best Music Festival in 2010 and the AHLAN! "Best In Dubai Award" as the Best Music Event in 2010.
9th Edition "2011"
The festival maintained its strong permanence of success during 2011 by expanding and enhancing its activities. The line-up of the
Skywards Dubai International jazz Festival 2011 was with no doubt a great attraction for a larger crowd for what it featured in terms of music
genres and artists' profiles satisfying all tastes and likes. For the 9th edition, the festival maintained all the lovable elements and activities
offering another series of Free concerts at the Walk JBR in partnership with Dubai Shopping Festival 2011 in addition to the shows of the Jazz
Garden, coming back with a new theme for its 3rd edition, and the exciting line-up of Divas, legends and idols for the main concerts that
will, certainly, scored another success of the festival.
The tie-up with the British Council in Dubai and the UK Jazz Services was the highlight of the 3rd edition of the Jazz Garden, featuring a rich roster of the UK's best renowned jazz artists and musicians, hosting 7 bands from the UK bringing in the best shows from the Jazz Capital. Adding on to the UK Jazz theme of the Jazz Garden's 3rd edition, another 7 international smooth Jazz bands also performed for the first time in the region with the support of the Trippin "N" Rhythm record label.
The main gigs were of great attraction to a huge crowd due to the rich line-up and artists profiles. Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, with Alison Moyet and Mica Paris, made the opening night of the main gigs an outstanding success! The sold out show welcomed a hunger crowd eager to indulge with such real quality music and entertainment.
The second night scored another success! The Grammy Award winning star Macy Gray wowed the crowd with her astonishing presence on stage, her show exceeded all expectations getting the fans on their toes asking for more!
Lifehouse stars added on to the night's exciting mood putting a greatly exciting show attracting thousands of fans heading from all across the region to experience the best of Lifehouse on stage! Mindi Abair & Peter White performance revived all Jazz sensations during their show that was the perfect start of the night.
Straight from winning their Grammy for best performance by a pop duo for the single 'Hey Soul Sister', the award-winning band Train glazed the Skywards stage with an outstanding show and interactive presence, following the appealing performance of Joshua Radin and the talented diva Jessy J.
The Skywards International Jazz Festival 2011 surely marked another successful edition due to its rich line-up and collection of names as well as its associated events gathering around 50000 fans throughout its 19 days of festivities and promising even another thriving edition in 2012 with loads of stunner activities and line-up reaping its 9th award at the Time Out Nightlife Awards as The BestMusic Festival in 2011.
The tie-up with the British Council in Dubai and the UK Jazz Services was the highlight of the 3rd edition of the Jazz Garden, featuring a rich roster of the UK's best renowned jazz artists and musicians, hosting 7 bands from the UK bringing in the best shows from the Jazz Capital. Adding on to the UK Jazz theme of the Jazz Garden's 3rd edition, another 7 international smooth Jazz bands also performed for the first time in the region with the support of the Trippin "N" Rhythm record label.
The main gigs were of great attraction to a huge crowd due to the rich line-up and artists profiles. Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, with Alison Moyet and Mica Paris, made the opening night of the main gigs an outstanding success! The sold out show welcomed a hunger crowd eager to indulge with such real quality music and entertainment.
The second night scored another success! The Grammy Award winning star Macy Gray wowed the crowd with her astonishing presence on stage, her show exceeded all expectations getting the fans on their toes asking for more!
Lifehouse stars added on to the night's exciting mood putting a greatly exciting show attracting thousands of fans heading from all across the region to experience the best of Lifehouse on stage! Mindi Abair & Peter White performance revived all Jazz sensations during their show that was the perfect start of the night.
Straight from winning their Grammy for best performance by a pop duo for the single 'Hey Soul Sister', the award-winning band Train glazed the Skywards stage with an outstanding show and interactive presence, following the appealing performance of Joshua Radin and the talented diva Jessy J.
The Skywards International Jazz Festival 2011 surely marked another successful edition due to its rich line-up and collection of names as well as its associated events gathering around 50000 fans throughout its 19 days of festivities and promising even another thriving edition in 2012 with loads of stunner activities and line-up reaping its 9th award at the Time Out Nightlife Awards as The BestMusic Festival in 2011.
10th Edition "2012"
The Skywards Dubai international Jazz Festival celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2012 offering fans "Ten Times the Fun and Ten Times the Excitement", with a series of breathtaking concerts and shows that took place at its new home at Dubai Festival City.
The 10th celebratory edition of the festival introduced new features to its common format. The move of the festival to its new home at Dubai Festival City was one of the key changes in 2012. The festival has remarkably grown entailing a larger space to accommodate its regularly rising fan base and sponsors' expectations, hence the "Dubai Festival City was selected to host the 10th anniversary edition for what it offers in terms of suitable facilities.
The 10th edition of the festival reunited the best sell-out shows of the past 9 years of its bills. The high profile artists' gathering was one of the biggest attractions and a rare opportunity for fans to see such a rich roster of artists at one go.
The main nights gigs took place throughout two consecutive weekends, with the Jazz Garden shows proceeding after the first weekend of main gigs.
The line-up featured 27 artists and bands, with the main headliners James Blunt, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, James Morrison, Jason Mraz, Jonathan Butler, Acoustic Alchemy, Spyro Gyra and Brett Dennen, to name a few, all performed during the main gigs weekends. The Jazz Garden featured a fantastic collection of Jazz Shows ranging from mainstream, smooth to Rhythm & Blues, with the opening acts supported by the Italian Embassy in UAE, which was keen to introduce the best of Italy's jazz professionals for the first time in our region.
Since its inception in 2003, the festival has evolved to become the "Premiere Music Event" in the region. It has been recognized and voted as Best Annual Music Festival by local and regional key media influencers and fans. As its reach expanded across the nation, the festival also matured its audience markedly, which topped 46,000 fans celebrating music in 2012.
In 2012, the festival assured its appeal by adding on its successful record another Timeout Nightlife Award for the Best Music Festival in 2012, with another Award for its "9th" edition as the "Best Music Event" at the Middle East Event Awards 2012 distinguishing the best events that took place in 2011.
The 10th celebratory edition of the festival introduced new features to its common format. The move of the festival to its new home at Dubai Festival City was one of the key changes in 2012. The festival has remarkably grown entailing a larger space to accommodate its regularly rising fan base and sponsors' expectations, hence the "Dubai Festival City was selected to host the 10th anniversary edition for what it offers in terms of suitable facilities.
The 10th edition of the festival reunited the best sell-out shows of the past 9 years of its bills. The high profile artists' gathering was one of the biggest attractions and a rare opportunity for fans to see such a rich roster of artists at one go.
The main nights gigs took place throughout two consecutive weekends, with the Jazz Garden shows proceeding after the first weekend of main gigs.
The line-up featured 27 artists and bands, with the main headliners James Blunt, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, James Morrison, Jason Mraz, Jonathan Butler, Acoustic Alchemy, Spyro Gyra and Brett Dennen, to name a few, all performed during the main gigs weekends. The Jazz Garden featured a fantastic collection of Jazz Shows ranging from mainstream, smooth to Rhythm & Blues, with the opening acts supported by the Italian Embassy in UAE, which was keen to introduce the best of Italy's jazz professionals for the first time in our region.
Since its inception in 2003, the festival has evolved to become the "Premiere Music Event" in the region. It has been recognized and voted as Best Annual Music Festival by local and regional key media influencers and fans. As its reach expanded across the nation, the festival also matured its audience markedly, which topped 46,000 fans celebrating music in 2012.
In 2012, the festival assured its appeal by adding on its successful record another Timeout Nightlife Award for the Best Music Festival in 2012, with another Award for its "9th" edition as the "Best Music Event" at the Middle East Event Awards 2012 distinguishing the best events that took place in 2011.
