[Hong Kong, 4 Aug 2010] Known as the most stunning jazz gathering in town, the Hong Kong International Jazz Festival will once again thrill jazz aficionados and young jazz enthusiasts with world class music this autumn. In its third edition, the Festival will run from 3 to 9 October, offering an exciting range of programme featuring concerts and workshops by some of the world’s most gifted performers and groups.

“The Old, the New and the Chosen Few” is the theme of this year and with a mix of high calibre Chinese and Asian young talents and internationally renowned musicians who will set the stage for a diverse and captivating jazz experience. More than 10 jazz groups performing in 6 concerts promise to bring a unique experience to jazz lovers.

The kick-off concert at the Piazza at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre on Sunday 3 October will feature the award winner group Logic from Australia, The Buzz Bros Band from Holland, music was described as "adventurous, freely interpreted electric acoustic funky jazz”. Sylvain Gagnon Quintet, lead by ex-pat and top-notch bass player, will deliver a set full if exotic and well seasoned music, and the Renfrew Group from Hong Kong, which combines with all young Chinese players from the territory, that attend the same prestige Berklee College of Music, and freshly arrive back from Boston.

The music they play can best Top highlights of the week also include from, Rusconi from Switzerland, Joey Calderazzo Quartet and Stanley Jordan from USA.

Rusconi, the trio from Switzerland generating jazz full of energy, is described as the future of jazz for they happen to make incredible and powerful music that could drive audience at all ages group to go crazy. Formed by pianist Stefan Rusconi, bassist Fabian Gisler and drummer Claudio Strüby, the trio will command the night at the Hong Kong City Hall with their music in the latest album “It’s a Sonic Life”, which music was inspired by the super Rock group ‘ Sonic Youth ‘.

Joey Calderazzo have a reputation as one of the most fearless and commanding pianist of the new jazz generation. A beloved member by Branford Marsalis and the late Michael Brecker, Joey continues to lead his own group and develop as a world class solo pianist at the same time.

Steinar Raknes is one of Norway’s foremost jazz bassists and songwriters, who pushing his career in different directions, performing both with his trio, and with Skaidi, a duo set with the renown Sami singer Inga Juuso, which Yoik singing is almost unknown to this part of the world.

Guitar Hero Stanley Jordan came to prominence in contemporary jazz in 1985 with the gold-selling Grammy nominated album “Magic Touch”. Over the course of five major recordings and several independent releases, his broader interests stretch into the realms of Music Therapy and Sonification. Stanley is well-known for his originality of the approach to electric guitar with the technique call ‘tapping’ , ushering a dazzling new sound into the world of progressive instrumental music.

The rest of the lineup for the Festival also include Wild Grappa Fruit from France, which line up including two drummers and a vocal bass, will take you to another dimension of sound and excitement that you never come across. Pekka Pylkkanen Global Unit, is a special line up combo, that feature the one and only Acoustic-electric bass player in the jazz world, Ronan Guilfoyle from Ireland/Finland. John Thomas Trio from Malaysia, lead by the young drummer who taste, talent and technique attracted raves where ever he played.

“We hope to impress the audience with a diversity of quality music from around the world,” says Festival Director Peter Lee. “No matter you are jazz aficionado or new to jazz music, you will be able to find the beautiful sounds that you love from the programmes and hopefully expand your musical horizon.”