Mahidol University's College of Music hosts Thailand's first-ever jazz conference this weekend

Jazz artists from around the world will be in town this weekend to take part in Mahidol University's College of Music Thailand Jazz Conference 2009.

Running Friday to Sunday, the conference features concerts by leading artists, among them trumpeter Ron Miles, the Tiger Okoshi Quartet, Eugene Pao, Nail Djuliarso and such popular Thai artists as Koh Mr Saxman.

There will be lessons, discussions and training on improvisation, composition, arranging and band coaching from top musicians, composers and educators.

A jazz expo will have instruments and accessories as well as instruction books and CDs.

The Thailand Jazz Conference was born from an idea by the International Association for Jazz Education, a non-profit volunteer organisation that distributes scholarships through its approved festivals' programme. Its annual conference was a gathering point for professional artists as well as jazz enthusiasts. Unfortunately, it went bankrupt last year.

 GET IN THE GROOVE

>> The Thailand Jazz Conference takes place at Mahidol U's Salaya campus in Nakhon Pathom.

 >> Tickets are Bt2,500 for a three-day pass or Bt500 for a one-day pass. They're available at Thaiticketmajor.