SANDAKAN: Sabah plans to elevate Sepilok Jazz into a major international tourism feature next year following a fifth edition that drew 18 bands and more than 100 musicians to Sandakan.
State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the ministry will collaborate with the Sandakan Municipal Council and event organiser Friends of Sea Turtles Education and Research (Foster) to scale up the annual music festival.
"We hope that from year to year, Sepilok Jazz can be elevated to a higher level," Jafry said after attending the event at the Rainforest Discovery Centre on Saturday (Sept 5). "While jazz has a niche following, its enthusiasts are spread worldwide, giving the festival strong potential to draw international visitors to Sandakan."
Beyond music, the two-night event serves a conservation mission, highlighting Foster’s sea turtle preservation efforts at the Walai Penyu Conservation Park on Libaran Island. Jafry noted that initiatives combining culture, tourism, and environmental protection align directly with state priorities.
This year's lineup featured local and international acts, including Shila Amzah, Singaporean jazz veteran Jeremy Monteiro, Italian vocal group Mezzotono, Indonesia’s Class Act 80s, and Sabah guitarist Roger Wang.
The festival also emphasised youth talent development. The Bakat Sepilok Jazz competition saw entry numbers rise to 132 participants this year, up from 105 in 2025 and 85 during its 2024 debut. A companion three-day music symposium and mentorship program connected local students with established musicians from the Jazz Association Youth Orchestra of Singapore.
Sepilok Jazz forms part of the broader Sabah Fest 2026 circuit, which expanded beyond Kota Kinabalu this year to include events in Sandakan, Kudat, Tawau, and Kuala Lumpur.
