Kool & the Gang and Randy Crawford to headline fourth annual Philips Dubai International Jazz Festival 2006

Dubai, 18 September 2005: ChillOut Productions, the organisers and promoters of the Dubai International Jazz festivals, has announced that Kool and the Gang and Randy Crawford swing into Dubai for the Middle East’s fourth annual Philips Dubai International Jazz Festival. They will head another strong line up of other musicians for this festival scheduled for February 8-10, 2006. These would be announced shortly. “Following last three years’ tremendous successful festivals, we were faced with the challenge of making the 2006 event even better,” said Anthony Younes, MD, Chillout Productions. “Both Randy Crawford and Kool & the Gang are very big names in the music business and we are very pleased that they have been able to confirm their participation at the Jazz festival. We will be confirming other artists in the line soon and can promise that we will deliver more of what our fans and supporters are used to.” This year’s festival will once again be held under the title sponsorship of Philips with presentation sponsorship support from Cadillac. “For the fourth consecutive year, Philips is proud to be associated once again to the Dubai International Jazz Festival. Over the years, the Dubai International Jazz Festival has been an outstanding showcase of the very best of what jazz music has to offer,” said Louis Hakim, CEO, Philips Middle East. “Holding the title sponsors, Philips are proud to be a part of such a growing successful event attracting more and more supporters and Jazz fans from different age and nationalities. Philips and the ‘Jazz Festival’ both share the vision of being evolving and trendsetting entities.” “We are very happy to be a part of the Dubai International Jazz Festival, said Fadi Ghosn, Premium Brands Director, GM Africa & Middle East. “Culture and community is a big part of Cadillac ethos and being a part of the Jazz festival combines these in spades. We are looking forward to this year's festival which in its true tradition promises to be action-packed and exciting." Randy Crawford Legendary jazz/pop/R&B/soul diva, Randy Crawford will perform live hits like “Almaz”, “Rainy Night in Georgia”, and “You Might Need Somebody” on the second evening of the event. Randy Crawford has been performing across the globe for more than thirty years, since she made her debut as guest vocalist in the Crusaders Hit, “Street Life” featured on the soundtrack of the Quentin Tarentino’s film, Jackie Brown. Born in Macon, Georgia (USA), Randy Crawford was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she discovered her exceptional singing talent in her church choir. By the age of fifteen, the young singer was performing on the American and European club circuit with her father as her chaperone. She released her first single, “If you say the Word” at the age of twenty and was performing with Jazz legends such as Quincy Jones and George Benson. In later years, she sang “One Day Ill fly away”, “Rainy Night in Georgia” and in 1990 did a phenomenal cover of the Bob Dylan hit, “Knocking on Heavens Doors”. She went on to perform with more Jazz legends such as Joe Sample and Ray Charles. Kool & the Gang The finale of the event will see Pop-Soul-Jazz-Urban- Funk Group, Kool & The Gang, performing their big hits, such as “Get down on it”, “Celebration”, “Joanna”, “Fresh”, “Too Hot”, “Let’s Go Dancin’”, and “Cherish”. A very talented group of musicians that rose to the top of the music world not once but twice, Kool & the Gang continues to be one of the most beloved bands of the last thirty years. Formed by Robert “Kool" Bell, his brother Ronald and bunch of their New Jersey teenage friends in the mid-60s (then called the Jazziacs), the group played traditional jazz in regional venues for many years, slowly morphing their style to incorporate emerging funk sounds of Sly and the Family Stone and James Brown. Kool & the Gang were just an afterthought in the music world in 1979 when they brought in James J.T. Taylor and pop/jazz producer, Eumir Deodato for one last attempt, and came up with the dance album called Ladies Night. Deodato simplified and sweetened the group's jazz style, fronting the group with James Taylor’s alluring tenor voice. It was an across-the-board smash, leading to two top hits, the title song and the single, “Too Hot." “Ladies Night” was followed by years of even greater success with hits like “Misled”, “Cherish”; “Take My heart”, “Celebration”, “Joanna” and “Lets Go Dancing”. In 1987 Taylor left the group to pursue a modestly successful solo career. Now a quintet consisting of brothers Robert “Kool" Bell, Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan), George Brown, Dennis Thomas and Charles Smith (all original group members), the group tours internationally with a 12-piece band, and will be in Dubai for what is expected to be an exquisite performance. Tickets already on sale In addition to normal tickets which will only go on sale in the New Year running up to the festival, Chillout are now offering the corporate sector, fans and supporters the opportunity to buy festival tickets in bulk in advance. According to Younes, these organisations can contact Chillout offices in Dubai Media City to buy tickets in bulk for their staff and guests at the festival.

About Chillout Productions Chillout productions was set up to offer its clients solutions for their projects, starting with the idea and feasibility study to the turnkey handling. Its team combines young talented, creative, energetic, and professional individuals, with more than 15 years experience in show business and corporate events. Chillout’s services include designing, sound and lighting, advertising, public relation, outsourcing international and local artists, product supply, negotiations, and simply every detail to make every event and function a memorable experience. Over the past three years, Chillout Productions has successfully introduced, produced, and organized world class events such as The Annual Dubai International Jazz festival; The Annual Abu Dhabi International jazz festival; The Annual Abu Dhabi Latin Music Festival and Corporate events and product launches, featuring world-class artists and performers. For more information on this press release, please contact: Jenny Taljaard, Market Buzz International, Tel: +971 4 3616780, E-mail: [email protected]