Now in its 8th year, the much-awaited BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest is set to return once again this December. Owned, operated and produced by Bahrain-based marketing agency, Clockwork, the vibrant annual international music festival will bring renowned Jazz musicians and bands from around the world on stage.
The theme for this year’s Bahrain Jazz Fest is Together in Jazz and celebrates the global diversity of jazz and its ability to bring cultures together.
Surrounded by lush landscapes, the festival will take place at the Royal Golf Club on 6th December 2024, offering a picturesque setting for the family-friendly event.
Bahrain’s jazz scene has been growing steadily over the years, with a vibrant community of jazz musicians, bands and educators that contribute to its development. Over 45,000 visitors have attended the fest since its inception in 2017.
It is also the only festival in the Middle East to be recognised by the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz/UNESCO as a Global Organizational Partner of International Jazz Day for its efforts to promote jazz development in the Middle East.
You can get your tickets to the 8th BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest 2024 here.
We spoke to Jude D’Souza, Managing Director, Clockwork to get a glimpse into this year’s anticipated annual music festival, what’s different, what’s new, and who’s going to take centre stage at the 8th instalment of the Bahrain Jazz Fest.
This year, the 8th BNP Paribas Bahrain Jazz Fest®️ introduces a fresh theme, Together in Jazz, which celebrates the global diversity of jazz and its ability to bring cultures together. The festival will not only showcase world-class performances but will also feature new sustainable initiatives, such as providing free drinking water and encouraging attendees to bring their own bottles, aligning with the festival’s ongoing commitment to eco-friendly practices.
The 2024 program will feature a series of events called Yalla Jazz! starting from November onwards across different venues in Bahrain that aim to bring jazz cultures to different communities. The events range from jazz movie screenings to live performances to school workshops and underprivileged community engagement. These events will all lead to 6th December for the grand finale which will feature award-winning jazz and blues acts from all over the world.
The 2024 lineup is headlined by international jazz sensation Andrea Motis, renowned for her captivating voice and trumpet skills. We’re also thrilled to welcome Mohini Dey, the world-famous bass prodigy whose boundary-pushing performances are guaranteed to leave audiences in awe. She will be playing alongside Mark Hartsuch and Gino Banks in their new jazz-rock powerhouse trio, MaMoGi. The lineup will also feature award-winning jazz pianist Laurent Coulondre, Afro-Cuban rising stars Cabo Cuba Jazz and a special festival presentation, The New York Collective which will feature Bahrain Jazzman Ahmed AlQasim.
Local talent plays a pivotal role in the festival’s DNA, and this year, we are proud to spotlight some of Bahrain’s finest artists. Joining the lineup from Bahrain are blues fusion sensations HotBoxGroove and blues rock stalwarts The Relocators. The festival will continue its tradition of having school bands open the final day with the American School of Bahrain, St Christophers School, Bahrain and the British School of Bahrain. These performances are a testament to the vibrant jazz scene emerging in the region, providing a platform for homegrown talent to share the stage with international stars. The festival continues to support local and regional jazz movements by offering them a platform to shine.
Beyond the outstanding live performances, this year’s festival will offer an expanded range of attractions. Festival-goers can explore family-friendly activities such as day/night markets, food trucks featuring global cuisine, art zones and dedicated kids’ areas. Some of our retail brand sponsors will also be running exclusive offerings and deals on December 6. We have also allocated a larger parking space for our guests at the Derasat grounds, where they can take regular shuttle buses to the festival area.