Hu said that in the initial years of the festival, a lack of funding and performers meant that the city had to call agents in Thailand, Japan and South Korea to seek bands willing to travel to Taichung to perform.
Over the ensuing years, however, the festival has gained in popularity through word of mouth, Hu said, noting that he expects it to attract up to 800,000 people this year, up from last year's 750,000.
“Today, the situation has turned around, with bands from Tokyo, Bangkok and Seoul calling to express interest in playing in the festival,” the mayor said.
Other famed lineups include the Charles Tolliver Band and the Sirius Quartet, as well as Scene of Jazz from Japan, Koh Mr. Saxman from Thailand and outfits from Malaysia, Shanghai, South Korea and Hong Kong.
China Post
