KOTA KINABALU: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between jazz maestro Jeremy Monteiro and Friends of Sea Turtles Education and Research (FOSTER), marking a new phase in Bakat Sepilok Jazz, a programme that blends music education with marine conservation awareness for youth.
The partnership is especially meaningful to Monteiro, who spent part of his childhood in Kota Kinabalu while his father was posted there for work.
“Those were deeply formative years. I fell in love with Sabah and began to find my voice as a musician thanks to my most influential piano teacher, Tan Tze Tong.
“It’s gratifying to now give back to a place that shaped my early life,” said Monteiro.
Under the MoU, Monteiro will play a light-touch but impactful role as an artistic advisor and mentor, helping to shape the programme’s direction while guiding young talents. His contributions will include refining judging criteria, supporting curriculum design, and offering mentorship during the final stages of the competition. He also intends to connect emerging Sabahan musicians to regional jazz platforms.
Datuk Josie Lai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah, hailed the initiative as a bold vision for how creativity, conservation, and community engagement can flourish together a lasting legacy for our young talents and for Sabah’s reputation as a culturally rich and environmentally conscious state.
“Our Ministry is pleased to play a role in this event through full funding support, underscoring our commitment to youth development and artistic innovation in tandem with conservation efforts,” said Josie.
The newly-signed MoU outlines several mutually agreed areas of cooperation.
FOSTER will continue to lead as the primary organiser, overseeing logistics, participant recruitment, promotion, and engagement with local partners. The MoU stresses inclusivity, with a strong emphasis on reaching youth across Sabah’s districts regardless of background or formal music training.
Selected finalists will receive mentorship not only from Monteiro but also from a wider network of jazz educators across Southeast Asia. Plans are underway to conduct masterclasses, hybrid learning sessions, and exchange initiatives to broaden the musical vocabulary and career possibilities for young Sabahan musicians.
The 2025 edition of Bakat Sepilok Jazz is already generating significant buzz throughout Sabah. Preliminary rounds were held on 2 May in Kota Kinabalu and on 5 May in Sandakan, while the final round is set for 2 August 2025 at Trinity Arts and Music Academy, Sandakan. Winners will earn the opportunity to perform at Sepilok Jazz 4th Edition, scheduled for 5 and 6 September 2025 at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), Sepilok.
As of today, over 105 participants have registered across the Open and School Categories — a record turnout that reflects the growing influence of the programme and its ability to inspire musical ambition, environmental empathy, and cultural pride. – James Leong
