Samui Summer Jazz Festival A Success – Celebrating Jazz on An Island Paradise

The Samui Summer Jazz Festival was successfully held this month with some of the best international and local jazz musicians performing on the popular Thai island of Koh Samui. Organised by Skål International Koh Samui, the festival also supported the non-profit NGO, Sisters on Samui, which looks to uplift the lives of local communities. Held from 2nd to 7th May 2023, the event saw a star-studded line-up of performers at key resorts and beach clubs in Koh Samui. Hotel offers were also available from participating properties that also hosted jazz concerts during this time.

This year’s Samui Summer Jazz Festival kicked off on 2nd May with music from New York Grand Classics of Swing Orchestra; it was led by Alexander Beets, a Dutch tenor saxophonist (who was also the festival director) and featured Anna Serierse on vocals. Other highlights on subsequent days included a Brazilian-themed evening with South American saxophonist, Lucas Santana and a performance by Susanne Alt DJ & Sax and the Sven Rozier Quintet which featured Lizzy Ossevoort as well. Also of note was the event at Santiburi Koh Samui which hosted Koh Mr. Saxman & Takeshi Band featuring Marius Beets and Sebastiaan van Bavel.