The Borneo Jazz Festival takes place each year in Miri, usually in May, making it one of the few world-class music events on the island of Borneo. Originally held at the ParkCity Everly Hotel from 2006 to 2017, the festival moved to the open-air Coco Cabana venue at Marina Bay, where the setting — water on one side, tropical night air, cold drinks — suits the music well.
The two-night festival features four performances each night, mixing international acts with regional talent. Past headliners have included the Dirty Dozen Brass Band from New Orleans and Canadian vocal group The Nylons, alongside Malaysian and other Asian jazz musicians. The Sarawak Tourism Board organises the event, which makes it well-run and comfortable — a pleasant contrast to festival chaos in larger cities.
If you are passing through Miri and the festival timing aligns, it is worth planning around. Check the Sarawak Tourism Board website for dates and lineup, which are usually announced two to three months before the event.