The UAE jazz scene is best described as a work in progress. The musical genre has a long history in the country, with performances dating back as far as the late ’80s, held at former nightlife institutions such as Abu Dhabi’s Hemingway’s and the Sheraton Hotel. Well, to be clear, the former hosted groups that played covers while the latter held a performance by a bona fide supremo.
In fact, Ethiojazz founder and xylophonist Mulatu Astatke had a three-month residency at the Sheraton in 1990, where he played his sensual and rhythmic brand of jazz, which went on to make him a globally renowned star more than a decade later. You first saw him here.
As the country slowly transitioned towards a younger workforce, however, the live music landscape moved to accommodate their “fresher” tastes. This meant more commercial and pop sounds: EDM DJs and rappers arrived, as jazz was relegated to a decreasing number of venues across the country.
That said, some promoters tried to keep the jazz flame alive. One of the UAE's longest-running music festivals, after all, remains the Dubai Jazz Festival. Chill Out Productions has, over the years, attempted to maintain their bottom line by appealing to both pop music-lovers and jazz heads by getting in a variety of headliners: from Earth Wind and Fire to John Legend and Toto to niche jazz acts such as the revered guitarist Larry Carlton and the group Spyro Gyra.
Ultimately, it's been a bit hit and miss for the company, which is often accused of being "too poppy" or "too jazzy". The latest iteration, now run by Done Events, was held this February, and it has all but done away with the event's jazz history. Case in point: Snow Patrol and UK funk crew Jamiroquai took over the main stage this year.
Fortunately, one can say the jazz scene in the UAE is not dead yet. Signs of its existence, ironically, can be found in venues that unashamedly aren't there to please the masses. The gorgeous and intimate Q's Bar and Lounge at the Palazzo Versace remains a success story one year on due to the great list of resident acts it brings in. The current star is David Davis, chosen by none other than music producer Quincy Jones himself, who also owns the bar that is named after him.
With the venue holding just 150 people, you’d be lucky to get in without a reservation on the weekends.
Elsewhere, enjoy performances by smooth jazz cats at Blue Bar, in Dubai’s Novotel World Trade Centre, another great option to hear some chilled-out tunes and relax amid sultry vibes.
The success of these venues prove that there’s still an appetite for jazz music in the UAE. If promoters or venue owners just stick to that low-key message of originality, the people will come.
