Re-recorded in more than 100 versions, released in 53 countries and translated in 29 languages, stayed at the number 1 spot for 2 weeks in the US Billboard charts with 33 million copies sold worldwide.
It’s been four decades since Freddie Aguilar released Anak—recognized as the all-time highest selling record of Philippine Music yet its message continues to be as fresh and relevant as the first time he performed it at the first Metropop Song Festival in 1977.
Now a new generation of music aficionados will be introduced to the song when Sitti performs it at the upcoming Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) in Malaysia.
The country’s bossa nova queen will be representing the country at the outdoor jazz festival happening this September 27 and 28 at the Waterfront Walkway of Grand Margherita Hotel overlooking the beguiling Sarawak River.
“Since this is an opportunity for me not just to share my artistry but to also be able to let the audience listen and experience Filipino music, that is why we’ve decided to include a very special arrangement of the timeless OPM song Anak,” Sitti shared with us over lunch last week.
Sitti adds she’ll be performing some of the most memorable bossa nova hits as well as several of her original songs like “Para Sa Akin” and “Ligaya” during her 45-minute set.
We asked her how she feels about being part of the jazz festival and she said it has always been one of her dreams.
“At first, I couldn’t believe it when my management (Asian Artists Agency), told me that the organizers of the Kuching Jazz Festival were inviting me to be part of the international lineup of performers.”
She said it was one of those dreams she wrote down a long time ago and had already forgotten until she got the call.
“This opportunity is a gift from God and a dream come true for me,” she adds. “I have always wanted to perform in an international jazz festival, and to be able to represent the Philippines will be such a great honor.”
Sitti has been taking some time off the music scene after giving birth to her first baby Issiah Dañelle last November and although she has been doing a few corporate shows, she says nothing compares to performing in front of a big crowd and feeling their energy.
To prepare for the Kuching Jazz Festival, Sitti said she is going back to the basics, listening to the songs of great bossa artists such as Astrud Gilberto, Rosa Passos, Gel Cosa and others.
The Kuching Jazz Festival will feature a lineup of international performers including Dawn Wong and The Shanghai Jazz Club (Singapore), Q Sound (USA/Malaysia), Harvey Malaihollo (Indonesia), Xanaduduo (UK/Sarawak), Ushera (Malaysia), Saxx In The City (Indonesia), Ning Baizura (Malaysia), Dave Brewer and The DooDaddies (Australia), Z Yan (Malaysia), and Nisa Addina (Sarawak/USA).
“Music fans will surely be delighted to attend the jazz festival and it’s going be a spectacular musical treat for everyone. I’m very excited to perform and groove to the rhythm with the audience. I’ll give them a best performance they will always remember,” says Sitti.
The first edition of Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) in 2017 was a great success and ended on a high note. Today, everyone is looking forward excitingly to the upcoming KWJF 2019. The Grand Margherita Hotel, a subsidiary of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) was the organiser of the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival as well as the official venue and hotel.
The first of its kind outdoor jazz festival overlooking the majestic Sarawak River saw a lineup of 17 performing groups from 7 regional and international countries. The performers were Jeremy Monteiro and The Asian All-Stars Power Quartet feat Melissa Tham (Singapore), Sheila Majid (Malaysia), Ernie Watts, Lewis Pragasam & Asia Beat feat. John Kaizan Neptune (USA/Japan/Malaysia), Andy Peterson (Malaysia), Balawan Magic Fingers (Indonesia), Abdul & the Coffee Theory (Indonesia), Sri Hanuraga Trio ft. Dira Sugandi (Indonesia), Kunto Aji (Indonesia), Mellow Motif (Thailand), Baihana (Philippines), Shanghai Sisters (Malaysia), Diana Liu (Malaysia), Akoustik Connexion (Malaysia), Jolynn Joelle Chin (Malaysia), Big Band Borneo (Malaysia), and UKBD Band (Malaysia).
Held from 29th to 30th September, KWJF 2017 became the first event to kick-start WAK or What About Kuching 2017, a month-long event spread out all over Kuching with various smaller niche events throughout October. Apart from the jazz performances by the world-class musicians, KWJF 2017 featured a bazaar which saw participation from local vendors. A total of 22 vendors comprising arts and craft, including food and beverage vendors participated in KWJF 2017 Bazaar. The bazaar increased the value of the festival, giving festival goers a more holistic experience, especially tourists, where they were able to purchase local Sarawak wares and food. The bazaar also included booths by non-profit organisations such as SSPCA & Lim Kok Wing, 10 Ringgit Club, Blind Massage Centre and Heart Treasures.
The number of festival-goers to KWJF 2017 was recorded at about 4000, far exceeding the target of the organisers. The jazz festival was a success as it was created as a family oriented event with emphasis given for an audience of all ages. Apart from the entertaining music concerts, the view of the spectacular Sarawak River together with the lively bazaar made KWJF an event to be remembered. KWJF 2019 this year promises to include a greater lineup of performers and a complete event with activities for the whole family to enjoy
Tickets are now on sale at www.kuchingwaterfrontjazz.com.
Sitti is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency
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