SHILLONG, Sept 15 � One of India�s best blues band, Soulmate, have made it to the exclusive 12 bands from all over the world to compete at the Macao Cotai Jazz and Blues Festival early next month, officials said today.
The city-based band outclassed at least 160 top Jazz and Blues bands from several countries including the USA, Europe and other countries, they said. There were over 180 applications from all over the world and there are now 12 finalists, according to the results announced online.
Skyline from Taiwan, Afro Jazz from Brazil, Trio Ricardo Special from Hungary, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds and the Old Style Sextet from the USA have also made it to the finals of the Hong Kong Dollar 550,000 prize money, they said. The other bands include the Kandinsky Effect from France, 3-0-3 Tango Fusion from Hongkong, The Moreira Project from Mozambique, Lowcal from Phillipines, Budda Power Blues from Portugal and The Northern Governors from Finland. The 12 finalists will be performing daily to audiences of tens of thousands of Cotai Strip Resorts Macao visitors during the four-day festival beginning October 9.
Soulmate is primarily made up of Rudy Wallang (guitar/vocals/songwriter) and Tipriti Kharbangar (vocals/guitar) and they frequently team up with session musicians (on drums, bass, organ and possibly other backup instruments) when on tour. � PTI
