The Embassy of Italy will celebrate 150 years of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Italy by bringing jazz and world-famous products from the country to Fashion Hall on the 1st floor of Siam Paragon, Rama I, from Friday to Sunday.
Gam Wichayanee. photos courtesy of Embassy of Italy
Titled "Siam Paragon Italian Grand Weekend: Vivere all'Italiana -- Smooth Lifestyle, Urban Glamour, Live Music", the festival will present a Bangkok debut performance by Slivovitz, a jazz group famous both at home in Italy and all over Europe.
The band will be delivering renditions of King Bhumibol's much-loved royal compositions such as Love At Sundown and HM Blues, as well as timeless international hits including Fly Me To The Moon.
They will perform with vocals from Thailand's leading singer, Wichayanee "Gam" Pearklin, at the opening ceremony on Friday at 6.30pm. They will give more shows at 4pm and 5.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Founded in 2001, the Italian septet comprises Riccardo Villari (acoustic and electric violin), Salvatore Rainone (drums), Marcello Giannini (electric and acoustic guitar), Pietro Santangelo (tenor, alto and soprano saxophone) Vincenzo Lamagna (bass), Derek Di Perri (harmonica) and Ciro Riccardi (trumpet).
They have blended the world's Eastern and Western musical traditions into a new personal mix. They have been playing in several Italian jazz festivals and abroad. So far the group has recorded five albums.
The festival will also feature outstanding products from Italy including food, beverage and authentic coffee on all three days. Coffee lovers will have a chance on Friday to taste Italian coffee by a talented barista who will demonstrate how to turn a cup of coffee into an art piece.
