Hua Hin Beach

Jazz hands will be waving before the surf at the season’s inaugural event, the 19th Hua Hin International Jazz Festival. Originally scheduled for November, the festival was postponed in respect of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.    Organisers say, performers will light up Hua Hin Beach in front of the iconic Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas on December 19 and 20 from 5pm to 11pm each evening.    ‘The event is free admission, no ticket reservation is required,’ festival organiser Jiang informs Time Out before noting that, ‘world-class jazz artists from nine countries’ will perform ‘alongside some of Thailand’s leading jazz musicians.’   International talents include saxophonist and flautist Mitch Frohman from the US; Sydney-born saxophonist and flautist Dale Barlow; Japanese saxophonist and flautist Yuri Kishimoto; and Cuban-born singer, songwriter and producer Lilith Valdés, also known as Lilly.V.    Refreshments will be available from 30 food and drink booths supported by hotels and businesses in the area.   December 19-20. Free. Hua Hin Beach, 5pm-11pm