n Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

 The Nation

 Jazz fans have been in for a treat this month with two major festivals taking place in the sumptuous surroundings of Bangkok's Sanam Suapa.

Jazz Royale, held over the weekend of December 9-10 and the three-night Bangkok Jazz a week later, saw an impressive line-up of world-renowned artists entertaining the crowds.

But while audiences appreciated the music, they also found it an expensive experience with three-day tickets for Bangkok Jazz selling at Bt3,000 and two-day tickets for Jazz Royale going for Bt2,000.

Many wondered if the festivals were the result of rivalry in the jazz business. Not so. While there is growing interest in the genre, no one made a fast buck out of these shows.

Jazz Royale Festival, a Bt100-million-plus affair organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and sponsored by Chang Beer, featured a standout list of jazz greats, among them the Dizzy Gillespie Band, Ahmad Jamal, Chris Botti, Nancy Wilson and Kenny G.

The budget included stops in Pattaya, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Terminal Xtra's Bangkok Jazz extravaganza, sponsored by Heineken, may have cost less than Bt50 million but it featured a stellar cast that included Selena Jones, Lee Ritenour, Tower of Power, the Yellowjackets and Dave Grusin.

Jazz enthusiasts turned out both weekends to applaud and cheer the musicians.

And because Thailand's concert promoters are generally loath to bring in world-class, but not necessarily known to all, artists and run the risk of losing money, both Thais and foreign residents were genuinely delighted at this rare chance to hear quality jazz live.

But there was also a sense of over-saturation. Bangkokians, tired from work and lengthy commutes, were forced to give up two weekends in a row and to brave the traffic getting to and from Sanam Suapa.

Once there, though, they did relax and entered into the party spirit, helped along by the music and the beer.

In terms of organisation, Bangkok Jazz, now in its fourth year, was the better festival with Jazz Royale bringing back memories of Bangkok Jazz's debut.

For the three-day festival, Sanam Suapa was divided into several zones with seats available on the grass, stools, beach chairs, and for those who wanted to eat while listening, there was the option of tables and chairs.

Jazz fans who came with their families appreciated the inclusion of a special smoking zone.

Jazz Royale also had zones, including one for government ministers, but non-VIP festival-goers hunkered down on the grass.

Bangkok Jazz also did better with toilet facilities, adapting some outdoor facilities for men and cutting down on the queues that have plagued earlier festivals. The food and beverage booths were also well organised.

The stage production, including the lighting and sound system, was more professional at Bangkok Jazz, no doubt the result of greater experience.

But the line-up of artists, some of whom had performed before in the Kingdom, was less interesting than that offered by Jazz Royale.

Saxophonists Chris Botti and Kenny G proved the most popular among the Thai crowd at Jazz Royale.

Kenny G, a long-time favourite with local jazz aficionados, impressed not just with his music but also with his attempts to speak the language.

Bangkok Jazz brought in attractive new generation artists including Japanese pianist Hiromi and Jazz Kamikaze (whose albums sold out at Hitman's booth) from Scandinavia who drew loud applause with their surprising cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

Other crowd pleasers were Asian Super Guitar Project, Selena Jones and Tower of Power who had many dancing to their lively rhythms.

While jazz fans will be hoping that both festivals return next year, they'll also be praying for a little more space between the two.