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2003 - 2006 In a region that is made up of an ever-changing, multi-cultural population, cultural events are varied, few and far between. Music is the common link between all cultures and this is evident from the growing number of concerts held in the Middle East, and the UAE in particular. The management and team at Chillout productions, passionate about Jazz and music, felt that there was a gap in the market for Jazz and similar genre of music in the region. Based on extensive research conducted over two years, they developed the theme, “Much more than Jazz” for the first ever Dubai International Jazz Festival which has now grown to an annual icon featuring world-class artists and performers covering all genres of Jazz music as diverse as blues, funk, swing, acid, rock, contemporary, modern, and fusion. The first Jazz Festival held in Dubai with the support of the main sponsors “Philips as title sponsor and Cadillac as presenting sponsor, Hilton Jumeirah as official hotel and catering, and Yamaha as the official Instrument provider” in 2003 drew a record crowd of 8000 Jazz fans to Dubai Media City. For a first time event, the festival proved a resounding success and received the support of some of the big international Jazz musicians and many sponsors. The second year (2004), the festival almost doubled its audience to 15,000 and in the (2005). The number of fans grew to over 18,000 “20% growth”. The three-day festival has grown to cover the entire DMC lakeside area increasing the number of stages to three and the number of shows to six per night, giving fans more opportunity not to miss any of the acts. As for the 2006 edition, another growth of 20% (21,500 fans) gave the festival another boost. Some of the artists that already participated in the festival are, Stanley Jordan, Archie Shepp, Marcia Maria, Billy Cobham, Toots Theilemans, Toufic Farroukh, Jamie Davis, Hall Singer, Osibisa, Tania Maria, Peter King, Jim Mullem, Claire Martin, Ray Gelato, Mike Stern, Ptah Brown, Ana Popovic, Sue Foley, Kandey Kane, Ann Ducros, The Orchestra “ELO” and the absolute Earth, Wind and Fire. The 2006 edition attracted more legends and stars, such as the man behind Supertramp Mr. Roger Hodgson, The Legendary R&B / Soul band Kool & The Gang, the Virtuoso Jean-Luc Ponty, the innovative Chico Freeman, and Latin Piano Legend Hilton Ruiz, and the Diva Diane Schuur, just to name a few. Since the first festival in 2003, over the past three years, Chillout Productions has also successfully introduced, produced and organized The Annual Abu Dhabi International jazz festival and The Annual Abu Dhabi Latin Music Festival. It has also introduced the concept of the bi-monthly three-day recitals not only by newcomers and established Jazz musicians but also featuring other talented and legendary musicians from around the world to this region, going beyond Jazz and Latin American music, reaching out to the cosmopolitan tastes of a multi-cultural society. The success of the event comes down to the variety of talents and music genres. With the combined experiences of the management of Chillout Productions, the festivals have combined the right blend of venue, time and ambience. Keeping it affordable and enhancing the artistic side of the festival, maintains the overall theme of the festival and provides something for everyone.