A unique blend of traditional, modern music at Rhythms of Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU: The ‘Rhythms of Kinabalu’ event organised by the Department of Culture and Arts Sabah together with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia this year, gave viewers a unique blend of traditional and modern music.

Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun said the fusion between traditional and modern music is not to downgrade the quality of traditional music, but to make it more interesting and reach out to more people.

“I understand how we (Sabahans) love traditional music, however, if we are the only ones who understand it, then we will not be able to reach people outside of Sabah with our music,” he said at the event held at the Sabah Culture and Arts Department complex on Saturday.

Masidi also said that by inserting modern twist into the traditional music Sabah produces, the traditional side of the music will still be heard by more people.

The musical event featured local artistes such as Velvet AF, Dayang Noraini, Janrywine Lusin,and Den Bisa, with musicians from the Bamboo Orchestra Band and Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s Musical Orchestra Group.