Scott Henderson claims to be a blues-rock guitar player. His early fascination with monster rock guitarists like Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, and blues greats such as Albert King and Buddy Guy, tempered by the influence of jazz music, led him finally to the style of music he is most famous for playing and composing. In his early professional years he played with Chick Corea’s Elektric Band, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, and Weather Report’s Joe Zawinul, and then set out to create his own sound with bands like Tribal Tech and Vital Tech Tones.

Bangkok fans will no doubt remember Scott’s 2009 visit as a key member of the “Super Jazz Trio”, but this year marks the first time that Scott has been able to lead his own Trio to Thailand. Featuring Travis Carlton on bass, and Alan Hertz on drums, the Scott Henderson Trio has toured extensively in the U.S., Europe, South America, and Japan, playing music from Scott’s considerable catalog of blues and electric jazz fusion compositions.

This is also the first time that Scott will perform in Chiang Mai, affording the North’s electric guitar aficionados a great chance to see him up-close and personal.

Two great shows, and the start of a busy year for Enlightened Planet! See you there!

Tickets for the Bangkok show are available through ThaiTicketMajor outlets or on the web; tickets for the Chiang Mai show are available through the Furama Chiang Mai on 053-415222.

The good people at Niu’s on Silom Jazz Club & Wine Bar are ready to put on a show. A big show, a REALLY big show. It’s so BIG it’s going to have to be held outside the club. It’s so VERY BIG you may have already gotten some of the advance word, but let me do this right and give you the full announcement:

On December 11th and 12th, 2009, the open-air courtyard at Baan Silom Arcade will be transformed into a “dream of jazz, blues, and world music” for Niu’s 1^st International Bangkok Jazz Festival!

This is the single biggest event with which Enlightened Planet has ever been involved, and we are finally able to live up to our long-standing company vision and present jazz, blues, and world music, all in one major event.

Enlightened Planet is directly responsible for four of the international acts at the festival, all of which are making their first ever appearance in Thailand: 2009 Blues Music Awards Acoustic Artist of the Year Eden Brent on piano and vocals, the ultimate acoustic roots blues duo of Phil Wiggins and Corey Harris, the electric groove-oriented jazz of super saxman Chris Potter and his Underground quartet featuring Adam Rogers, Scott Colley, and Nate Smith, and the soulful sound of Cameroon-born jazz bassist and vocalist Richard Bona and his group.

The festival will also feature Thailand’s own Koh Mr. Saxman, a fusion of jazz and ethnic music with Francois Lindemann and Tewan Sapsangyakorn, rising British piano star Gwilym Simcock with his trio, and American sax sensation James Carter with his organ trio.

These are going to be two great evenings out: the cool night air of a Bangkok December, comfortable seating for 400 music lovers, fine wines, delicious food, and the famous hospitality of Niu’s on Silom… and, of course, a splendid variety of music from around the world guaranteed to clear your mind, stir your heart, and free your soul! And you’re not going to find that anywhere else…

There has already been an excellent article in the Bangkok Post about this event. Over the next few days I will provide more information about these fine artists and their music.

Tickets for the Niu’s 1^st International Bangkok Jazz Festival are available through ThaiTicketMajor and their associated outlets, or by contacting Niu’s on Silom Jazz Club & Wine Bar on 02-2665333 or at reservation@niusonsilom.com. Tickets are 3500 THB for one night, or 6000 THB for a two-night pass.