The Faculty of Music, Universiti Teknologi Mara Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia  in collaboration with Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO, organized  the UiTM – UNESCO International Jazz Day Celebration 2021: Ethnotopia in celebration of the International Jazz Day, a celebration recognised by UNESCO. The musical festival, organized on 28 April, brought forth the tantalizing fusion of the western genre and our own local ethnic music.

The fresh composition of Ulek Mayang, a classical Malay  ritualistic dance from the state of Terengganu in Malaysia performed in ancient times to appease or invoke the spirits of the sea;  Zapin Blues, a unique harmonization of Jazz and gambus (Malay traditional musical Instrument inherited from the Islamic culture and traditionally played in Johor) and the artists’ rendition of the myth of celestial princess cursed to become mountains in Sketches of Santubong, were amongst the 11 compositions performed by the university.

Hosted online due to the Movement Control Order, the festival nevertheless excels in bringing out the universality of music and celebrating humanity artistic expression.

The festival also strongly supported SDG 4.4, 4.7, 5.5 and others.

The musical festival can be watched through this link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR68HK2d78o (Credit: UiTMMusic)