Set in the heart of the Night Bazaar, the Imperial Mae Ping sits majestically amongst the bustle on a vast property, attracting tourists and locals alike. The modern Lanna style hotel offers up a fantastic range of facilities, from full service accommodation to multiple dining venues. This month however, on March 11th, Imperial Mae Ping is playing host to something a lot more special.
For one night only, Imperial Mae Ping will be opening its doors to fans of Biggles Big Band as they tour around Thailand in their Thailand Live Tour 2016. Biggles Big Band is a jazz orchestra from The Netherlands, conducted by Adrie Braat, playing music from the great swing era. Expect the sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and sounds of singers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Biggles Big Band consists of five trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, guitar, piano, acoustic bass, drums and vocalist Andr้ Rabini. An extra string quartet consisting of two violins, and the viola and cello add a sensational musical experience to the upcoming tour in Thailand.
The Biggles Big Band Tour 2106 is organised in cooperation with TEATA (Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association), TAT and the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands. In March 2016 the jazz orchestra is going to play 10 concerts in Bangkok, Tak, Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Phrae, Sukhothai, Loei, Udon and Pattaya. Besides concert performances with Thai guest artists, Biggles Big Band Amsterdam will be teaching music by giving workshops for Thai children during their stay.
The Chiang Mai concert will be held at the Garden Bar on the occasion of the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel’s 28th anniversary on March 11th, from 7pm to 10pm. Tickets are going for just 890 baht a head, which includes an international buffet dinner and one bottle of drinking water. All those who buy tickets are automatically entered into a lucky draw that gives all a chance to win a free Bangkok Airways ticket from Chiang Mai to Yangon round trip for two people. Tickets are first come first served and are expected to sell out quickly. For those who want to ensure they get a ticket, book fast before they are all gone. Part of the proceeds will also go towards buying school equipment for remote schools in the area, such as tables, chairs, pens and pencils.
Biggles Big Band have played in Thailand on several occasions throughout 2009 to 2015, and apart from concerts, the band also partakes in educational projects around the country too. The orchestra has organised successful projects such as Jazz de Chang and Jazz for Kids in Kanchanaburi, gave workshops for children in Nakhon Phanom, Dansai-Loei, Tak and Chiang Rai, had Thai guest singers and Thai instrumentalists at their concerts and played new arrangements of the jazz compositions of His Royal Highness King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
The lack of live swing jazz bands in Thailand is no surprise to those who enjoy music from the past. But March brings Thailand, and Chiang Mai, another unique opportunity to enjoy live orchestral jazz music from years gone by, and thanks to the high standard of musicianship and spontaneity of Biggles Big Band’s members, their energy floats off the stage to mix with the audience. Wherever Biggles performs they get a tremendous response from the audience, not a single concert is without clapping, dancing or stamping feet!
Mark it in the calendar, March 11, 7pm at the Imperial Mae Ping Hotel.
153 Sridonchai Road, Chang Klan
www.imperialhotles.com/imperialmaeping
Tickets: 053 283900 # 7045, 7027
