Bakat Sepilok Jazz 2025: A Stage for Talent, A Platform for Marine Conservation

10 August 2025

SANDAKAN: The grand finale of Bakat Sepilok Jazz 2025 lit up the stage at Trinity Arts and Music Academy, Sandakan, with a dazzling showcase of musical excellence from 12 outstanding groups and soloists representing Malaysia and Singapore.

Organised by Friends of Sea Turtles Education and Research (FOSTER), the annual event aims to merge the expressive power of jazz music with a compelling message on sea turtle conservation.

This year’s competition drew a record 112 participants from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, and Singapore, all competing in two categories: Student and Open. Finalists were selected through preliminary rounds held earlier in August.

In the Student Category, the six finalists were The 4 Jazzer, The Hansens, Lyam Chung Lik En, No Sonsog Band, Jangers, and The Clarks. Meanwhile, the Open Category featured Synergy, Chrishyelle & Accompanies, Trinity Jazz Band, The Cubr, Rhythm Strollers, and Singapore’s Jazzettes.

Presiding over the judging panel was internationally acclaimed jazz icon Jeremy Monteiro, serving as chief judge. He was joined by guest judges Cheong Kok Ann, Music Director of Sepilok Jazz, and Dr Ian Stephen Baxter. Performances were assessed on creativity, technical proficiency, stage presence, and musical interpretation.

Earlier this year, on 2 May, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Monteiro and FOSTER, officially appointing him as the organisation’s Technical and Acoustic Advisor. His guidance has been pivotal in enhancing the event’s artistic and technical standards.

“Jazz is a language of connection, it bridges cultures, much like our shared responsibility to protect the oceans unites us all,” said Monteiro.

“Learning jazz cultivates creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability. Whether you become a musician, engineer, teacher, or surgeon, the improvisational skills you gain will serve you for life."

"To the young musicians of Sabah: keep playing, keep exploring, and let your music embody the same spirit of curiosity and care that we need to protect the gentle sea turtles of your shores. In both jazz and conservation, every thoughtful act counts.”

FOSTER President Alexander Yee underscored that Bakat Sepilok Jazz is more than a musical showcase.

“Music and art are universal languages. Through this event, we hope to inspire young people to become advocates for marine life, especially the increasingly threatened sea turtles,” he said.

Music Director Cheong Kok Ann also praised the competition’s dual purpose.

“Bakat Sepilok Jazz shows how music can unite communities and amplify powerful messages. I’m genuinely impressed by the calibre of talent this year – and even more encouraged that the event champions such a vital cause.”

FOSTER, a non-profit organisation established in 2013 and based in Sabah, is dedicated to sea turtle conservation through hatchery management, community engagement, school awareness programmes, and scientific research. Its efforts primarily focus on protecting the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) that nest on Libaran Island, Sandakan.

Now in its second year following a successful debut in 2024, Bakat Sepilok Jazz continues to grow as a platform not only for emerging musical talent but also for raising awareness about critical threats facing sea turtles, including plastic pollution, climate change, and unsustainable fishing practices.

By harmonising music and conservation, Bakat Sepilok Jazz 2025 cements its place as a unique annual highlight, fostering community engagement, inspiring youth, and positioning Sabah as a creative hub for environmental consciousness.