KOTA KINABALU: The sounds of jazz will once again fill the rainforest as the Sepilok Jazz Festival returns on Friday (Sept 5) and Saturday (Sept 6) in Sandakan, headlined by two-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Ernie Watts.
More than just a music festival, Sepilok Jazz serves as a platform for raising awareness and funds for marine conservation, particularly for the endangered sea turtles of Libaran Island.
Organised by Friends of Sea Turtles Education & Research (Foster), the event blends world-class performances with a mission to protect Sabah’s marine biodiversity.
"To talk to people about conservation work, it can be quite boring," said Foster president Alexander Yee.
"But if you tell them there’s a jazz festival, suddenly they’re interested. We use jazz to spread what some may call a ‘boring message’—but an important one."
What began as a small event with only local performers in 2022 has now attracted musicians from the United States, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia. Yee said this international presence has helped bring more visibility to both the festival and its conservation efforts.
"When we first started, we didn’t have much funding, so we relied on local artists. But when you only have local artists, it’s harder to draw international visitors. Last year, we had musicians from the Philippines, Australia, and West Malaysia, and they brought their own audience. This year, we have performers from Singapore, the U.S., and Germany—and we know their fans will follow," Yee said at a press conference in Sepilok on Monday.
Watts, regarded as one of the finest saxophonists of his generation, has performed with icons such as Thelonious Monk, Charlie Haden, and the Rolling Stones, leaving a lasting impact on the jazz world.
He will be joined by Singapore’s jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro, known as the “King of Swing,” who has spent decades shaping the region’s jazz scene through his performances and compositions.
While jazz remains a niche genre in Sabah, particularly in Sandakan, Yee believes exposure through events like this will help it grow.
"People say, ‘There are no jazz fans in Sandakan,’ but that’s how things start. Football didn’t originate here—it came from Britain. But the more people are exposed to it, the more they appreciate it. We hope jazz will follow the same path," he said.
Sepilok Jazz also features Bakat Sepilok Jazz, a competition introduced last year to support and showcase emerging musicians. The initiative, which falls under the Sepilok Jazz Academy, aims to provide opportunities for jazz enthusiasts—whether students, working adults, or professional musicians.
According to Sepilok Jazz music director Cheong Kok Ann, Bakat Sepilok Jazz is aimed at nurturing the next generation of musicians.
"Last year, 85 contestants took part, and organisers are aiming for 120 this year, which would probably make it the largest jazz competition in Southeast Asia," he said.
Beyond the festival, the real heart of the event lies on a small island off the coast of Sandakan.
Libaran Island, a key nesting site for green and hawksbill turtles, has been at the centre of Foster’s conservation efforts since it’s founding in 2013. Working closely with local communities, Foster has helped release thousands of hatchlings into the wild, safeguarded nesting sites, and educated visitors on why saving these creatures matters.
With its growing reputation, Sepilok Jazz is set to welcome 3,000 to 4,000 attendees this year, solidifying its status as one of Malaysia’s most unique jazz festivals.
Foster blends music with conservation through Sepilok Jazz, ensuring that every performance not only entertains but also inspires action.
