Sting is an iconic English singer and multi-instrumentalist who rose to fame as the frontman of The Police before launching a sophisticated solo career. Born in Wallsend, he transitioned from a schoolteacher to a global rock star, blending jazz, reggae, and pop into a timeless signature sound. He famously captivated audiences at the Dubai Jazz Festival in both 2015 and 2016, showcasing his incredible versatility as a live performer.

 

As a recipient of seventeen Grammy Awards and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his musical legacy is globally undisputed. He has sold over one hundred million records and was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors for his lifelong contributions to the arts. Beyond his chart-topping hits like Every Breath You Take, he remains a dedicated humanitarian through his work with the Rainforest Fund.

Carlos Santana is a visionary guitarist who pioneered Latin-rock fusion, bringing the vibrant rhythms of his Mexican heritage to the global mainstream. After his legendary breakout at Woodstock in 1969, he became one of the world’s most influential musicians with his distinctive and melodic guitar tone. His enduring popularity led to two triumphant headlining appearances at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2014 and 2016, where he performed for thousands.

 

With ten Grammy Awards to his name, he holds the record for the most wins in a single night for his multi-platinum comeback album Supernatural. He is an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is consistently ranked among the greatest guitarists of all time by major publications. His career spans over five decades of chart-topping success, including being one of the few artists to have a top ten album in every decade since the sixties.

John Legend is a celebrated singer-songwriter and pianist who redefined modern soul with his smooth vocals and emotionally resonant, piano-driven ballads. From his early days as a session musician for major hip-hop artists, he emerged as a solo powerhouse with the release of his debut album Get Lifted. His deep connection with international fans was highlighted by his stellar performances at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2015 and 2018.

 

He made history as the first African-American man to achieve EGOT status by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award. Throughout his illustrious career, he has earned twelve Grammy Awards and reached diamond-certification status for his global number-one smash hit All of Me. In addition to his musical triumphs, he is a dedicated social activist who founded the Show Me Campaign to advocate for educational and systemic reform.

Sir Tom Jones is a legendary Welsh baritone whose powerful voice and magnetic charisma have sustained a remarkable career for over sixty years. Emerging from the working-class valleys of Wales, he became an international sensation with sixties hits like It's Not Unusual and Delilah. He brought his legendary stage presence to the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2017, where he performed a high-energy set that spanned several decades of his musical evolution.

 

In recognition of his immense services to music, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 and has received multiple BRIT Awards. He has sold more than one hundred million records and recently became the oldest male artist to top the UK album charts with his latest work. His legacy is further cemented by a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and his long-standing role as a beloved mentor on television.

Alicia Keys is a world-renowned singer-songwriter and classically trained pianist who became a defining voice of modern R&B with her soulful, piano-driven melodies. Since her 2001 debut Songs in A Minor, she has captivated global audiences with her powerful vocals and messages of self-empowerment. Her enduring relationship with Dubai was highlighted by her headline performance at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2019, followed by a historic, globally-streamed concert at the Expo 2020 Al Wasl Dome.

 

As a 16-time Grammy Award winner and the first female artist to have an MTV Unplugged album debut at number one, her artistic impact is truly monumental. She has sold over ninety million records worldwide and achieved diamond-certification status for her iconic collaborations and solo hits like "No One" and "Empire State of Mind." Beyond music, she is a celebrated activist who co-founded Keep a Child Alive and has been honored with the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award.

Deep Purple is a pioneering British rock band widely regarded as the architects of hard rock and heavy metal alongside legends like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. Formed in 1968, they became global icons known for their explosive live energy, technical virtuosity, and the creation of "Smoke on the Water," which features perhaps the most famous riff in music history. Their legendary status was cemented in the Middle East when they headlined the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2013, bringing their high-octane "loudest band in the world" reputation to a sold-out crowd. The band has sold over one hundred million albums worldwide and was rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

 

They famously held the Guinness World Record for being the globe's loudest group and received the Legend Award at the World Music Awards for their massive global impact. Throughout several decades and various iconic lineups, they have consistently topped international charts and influenced generations of musicians with their unique blend of classical complexity and raw rock power.

Enrique Iglesias is a world-renowned Spanish singer and songwriter widely celebrated as the King of Latin Pop for his massive crossover success in both English and Spanish markets. Born in Madrid and raised in Miami, he rose to fame in the mid-nineties with a soulful style that blended romantic ballads with infectious dance rhythms. He became a staple of the region's live music scene through his high-energy headline performance at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2017, following previous major appearances in the city.

 

With over one hundred and eighty million records sold worldwide, he is officially recognized as the most successful Latin artist in music history. He holds the record for the most number-one singles on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and has received numerous Grammy and American Music Awards for his global contributions. His diamond-certified hits like Bailando and Hero have spent record-breaking weeks at the top of the international charts and garnered billions of views online.

Mariah Carey is a global pop icon and the best-selling female artist of all time, renowned for her extraordinary five-octave vocal range and her title as the "Songbird Supreme." After exploding onto the scene in 1990 with her self-titled debut, she became the only artist in history to have her first five singles reach number one on the Billboard charts. Her connection to the UAE was solidified by her headline performance at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2017, where she delivered a masterclass in vocal precision and showmanship to a sold-out crowd.

 

As a prolific songwriter and producer, she has achieved nineteen number-one hits and has been honored with five Grammy Awards alongside induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.She holds the record for the most number-one singles by a solo artist and was named the Artist of the Decade by Billboard for her unparalleled success throughout the nineties. Beyond her musical dominance, she is a celebrated philanthropist who founded Camp Mariah to provide career-building opportunities for underserved youth in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund.

Duran Duran is a legendary British band that defined the New Romantic era and became global superstars as icons of the MTV-driven Second British Invasion. Formed in Birmingham in 1978, the group combined synth-pop sophistication with high-fashion aesthetics to create a sound and image that captured the world's imagination. They brought their timeless energy and a catalog of classic hits to the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2018, where they delivered a spectacular opening night performance at the Media City Amphitheatre.

 

The band has sold over one hundred million records worldwide and was rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. They have earned two Grammy Awards and two BRIT Awards, including a prestigious honor for their Outstanding Contribution to Music. With more than thirty top forty singles in the UK and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, they remain one of the most successful and influential groups in the history of popular music.

Lionel Richie is an American soul and pop phenomenon whose smooth vocals and romantic ballads defined the sound of the 1980s. After finding initial fame as a member of the funk-driven Commodores, he launched one of the most successful solo careers in history, becoming a master of the universal love song. He is a favorite among UAE audiences, having delivered legendary headline performances at the Dubai Jazz Festival in both 2014 and 2020. 

 

As an elite EGOT nominee, he has won four Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award for his timeless cinematic hit Say You, Say Me. He holds the incredible record of having number-one hits for nine consecutive years and has sold over one hundred and twenty-five million records worldwide. Beyond his solo triumphs, he co-wrote the historic charity anthem We Are the World and was rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.

David Gray is a celebrated British singer-songwriter whose heartfelt lyrics and acoustic-electronic fusion revitalized the folk-pop genre at the turn of the millennium. After years of building a loyal following, his career reached stratospheric heights with the independent release of White Ladder, which became one of the best-selling albums in history. He showcased his intimate storytelling and soulful performance style at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2015, returning to the city where he has consistently drawn large, devoted crowds.

 

His masterpiece White Ladder remains the best-selling album of all time in Ireland and spent three years on the UK charts, earning him a place among the world's most successful solo artists. He has received two Ivor Novello Awards for his songwriting and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist during his commercial breakthrough. With over twelve million albums sold and multiple BRIT Award nominations, he continues to be recognized for his enduring craftsmanship and his ability to connect deeply with audiences across the globe.

Ricky Martin is a world-renowned Puerto Rican singer and actor who is widely credited as the "King of Latin Pop" for leading the Latin music explosion of the late nineties. He rose to international stardom with high-energy hits like Livin' La Vida Loca and The Cup of Life, blending infectious dance beats with charismatic stage presence. While his contemporaries took the stage in 2015 and 2016, Martin made his historic and highly anticipated debut at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2018, where he closed the event with a legendary, high-octane performance. 

 

Throughout his illustrious career, he has sold over seventy million records and earned multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards for his groundbreaking albums. He was honored as the youngest-ever Person of the Year by the Latin Recording Academy and has received the prestigious Latin Icon Award for his role in globalizing Latin culture. Beyond his musical triumphs, he is a dedicated humanitarian who founded the Ricky Martin Foundation to advocate for the well-being of children and fight human trafficking worldwide.

James Blunt is a renowned English singer-songwriter and former army captain who became a global sensation with his soulful voice and poignant, acoustic-driven melodies. Before his musical breakthrough, he served as a NATO peacekeeper in Kosovo and famously stood guard at the Queen Mother’s funeral during his distinguished military career. He has a deep-rooted history with the Dubai Jazz Festival, having delivered memorable headline performances at the event in 2009, 2012, and most recently in 2015. 

 

His debut album Back to Bedlam became the best-selling record of the 2000s in the United Kingdom and earned him five Grammy Award nominations. He has won two BRIT Awards and two Ivor Novello Awards, cementing his status as one of Britain’s most successful songwriters of the modern era. With over twenty million albums sold worldwide and a massive digital following, he continues to be celebrated for his chart-topping hits and his famously sharp, self-deprecating wit.

Toto is a masterful American rock band formed in Los Angeles, whose incredible technical skill and genre-blending sound defined the polished landscape of eighties pop-rock. Composed of legendary session musicians who played on thousands of iconic records, they became a global phenomenon with timeless anthems that remain cultural touchstones today. They brought their sophisticated musicianship to the Dubai Jazz Festival in both 2007 and 2016, famously opening the festival's fourteenth edition with a powerhouse set of their greatest hits.

 

The group made history at the 1983 Grammy Awards by winning six trophies for their landmark album Toto IV, including the prestigious Album of the Year and Record of the Year. With over forty million albums sold worldwide and billions of streams for their global number-one hit Africa, their commercial and critical impact is truly staggering. They were rightfully inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2009 and continue to be celebrated as one of the most musically accomplished and influential bands in the history of recorded music.

Macy Gray is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter whose unmistakable raspy voice and eclectic style earned her comparisons to vocal legends like Billie Holiday. Born in Ohio, she studied scriptwriting at film school before a fateful demo recording revealed her unique vocal talent to the world. She brought her soulful energy and "whiskey-soaked" vocals to the Dubai Jazz Festival in both 2010 and 2011, establishing herself as a firm favorite among the city's music lovers.

 

Her breakthrough smash hit I Try became a global anthem, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and catapulting her debut album to triple-platinum status. She has sold over twenty-five million records worldwide and has been honored with two BRIT Awards and an induction into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. In addition to her massive musical success, she is a talented actress with credits in major films and a dedicated advocate for families affected by police brutality through her charity, My Good.

The Script is a powerhouse Irish rock band known for their emotionally charged lyrics and an anthemic sound that seamlessly blends pop, rock, and hip-hop influences. Formed in Dublin by lifelong friends Danny O'Donoghue and Mark Sheehan, the group rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful international acts of the 21st century. Their enduring popularity in the Middle East was cemented by their high-energy headline performances at the Dubai Jazz Festival in both 2013 and 2015.

 

With over twenty million albums sold worldwide, they have achieved five number-one albums in the United Kingdom and billions of streams for hits like "The Man Who Can't Be Moved." They are three-time winners at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards and received a prestigious World Music Award for being the Best Selling Irish Artist. Beyond their chart dominance, the band has successfully headlined stadium tours globally and served as influential mentors on major television talent competitions.

Chris Botti is a world-renowned American trumpeter and composer who has successfully bridged the gap between contemporary jazz and mainstream pop with his lush, melodic sound. Since the release of his breakout albums in the early 2000s, he has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist, known for his masterful ability to blend jazz standards with orchestral sophistication. He is a multi-year veteran of the Dubai Jazz Festival, having delivered spellbinding performances at the event in both 2011 and 2016, where he showcased his signature "shimmering" trumpet style.

 

His artistic excellence was recognized with a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for his chart-topping work Impressions, as well as multiple nominations throughout his career. He has reached the number-one spot on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart on four separate occasions and has sold over four million records across the globe. Beyond his solo triumphs, he is celebrated for his legendary collaborations with icons such as Sting, Andrea Bocelli, and Yo-Yo Ma, solidifying his reputation as a premier musician in the international jazz community.

Jools Holland is a celebrated British pianist, bandleader, and broadcaster whose infectious passion for boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues has made him a titan of the music industry. Originally rising to fame as a founding member of the new wave band Squeeze, he later became a household name as the host of the BBC’s iconic Later... with Jools Holland.He is a long-standing friend of the Dubai Jazz Festival, having brought his world-class Rhythm & Blues Orchestra to headline the event in both 2011 and 2012.

 

With his 19-piece orchestra, Jools is famous for high-energy live shows that blend jazz, ska, and soul into a massive "big band" party. His 2012 performance at Dubai Festival City was a highlight of the festival's tenth anniversary, featuring multiple encores and a 20-piece ensemble that included vocal powerhouses like Ruby Turner.

 

• Chart Dominance: He has released over 40 albums and recently topped the UK charts in 2024 with his collaborative album Swing Fever, recorded with Rod Stewart.

   

• Vocal Collaborator: His Small World, Big Band series became a multi-platinum success, featuring collaborations with legends like George Harrison, Sting, and Eric Clapton.

   

• Prestigious Honors: He was awarded an OBE in 2003 for his services to the British music industry and received a BAFTA in 2019 for his outstanding contribution to music television.

   

• TV Icon: His annual New Year's Eve special, Jools' Annual Hootenanny, has been a British cultural institution for over 30 years.

Olly Murs is a charismatic English pop star and television personality who shot to fame as the runner-up on the sixth series of the UK X Factor in 2009. Known for his soulful voice and infectious "cheeky chap" persona, he transitioned from a reality TV favorite to one of the most successful male solo artists in British music. He brought his high-energy showmanship to the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2014, performing a special Valentine's Day set that featured his signature blend of pop, ska, and soul.

 

He has achieved an impressive string of four number-one singles in the United Kingdom and five number-one albums, including the multi-platinum In Case You Didn't Know. With over ten million records sold worldwide and six BRIT Award nominations, his commercial success is matched by a prolific career as a beloved coach on The Voice UK. Beyond the charts, he has been honored with the Variety Club Outstanding Contribution to Music Award and remains a prominent figure in philanthropy through his work with Soccer Aid.

Jason Mraz is a multi-Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter whose sunny, acoustic pop-folk style and clever wordplay made him a global sensation in the early 2000s. Originally finding his feet in the San Diego coffeehouse scene, he rose to international prominence with a sound that blends elements of reggae, jazz, and soul. His laid-back charm and technical vocal agility were on full display during his headline performance at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2012, where he performed hits from his record-breaking catalog for an adoring crowd. 

 

He is best known for his record-breaking hit "I'm Yours," which spent seventy-six weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and has achieved multi-platinum status in over twenty countries. Throughout his decorated career, he has earned two Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and Best Pop Collaboration, alongside the prestigious Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. With over seven million albums sold and a reputation as a dedicated environmentalist and humanitarian, he remains one of the most respected and positive figures in modern pop music.

Alison Moyet is a legendary British singer-songwriter celebrated for her powerful, bluesy contralto voice and her pioneering role in the synth-pop movement of the early eighties. She first rose to international fame as one half of the influential duo Yazoo before embarking on a highly successful solo career that explored jazz, pop, and electronic landscapes. She brought her incredible vocal depth and soul-stirring stage presence to the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2013, where she performed a career-spanning set for a captivated audience.

 

As a two-time BRIT Award winner for Best British Female Solo Artist, she has sold over twenty-three million records worldwide and achieved multiple number-one albums in the United Kingdom. Her debut solo album Alf became a multi-platinum success and produced timeless hits that solidified her status as one of the most distinctive voices of her generation. Throughout her four-decade career, she has received a Grammy nomination and was honored with a CBE for her exceptional services to music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

James Morrison is a soulful British singer-songwriter whose raspy, "whiskey-soaked" vocals and heartfelt acoustic ballads made him a standout star of the mid-2000s. Often described as the British Stevie Wonder, Morrison’s sound draws deep inspiration from soul legends like Al Green and Otis Redding. He is a multi-year veteran of the Dubai Jazz Festival, having delivered emotional, high-energy headline performances in both 2010 and 2012, where he charmed the crowd with his casual, "hippie" stage presence and raw talent.

​

His debut album, Undiscovered, shot straight to number one in the UK and led to him being the best-selling British male solo artist of 2006. He earned the prestigious BRIT Award for Best British Male Solo Artist in 2007 and has received multiple nominations for his chart-topping hits like "You Give Me Something" and the critically acclaimed "Broken Strings." With over seven million records sold and a career spanning two decades, Morrison remains a beloved figure known for his ability to transform large festival grounds into intimate, personal experiences through his storytelling and songcraft.

James is a legendary Manchester band that rose to prominence in the early eighties and became one of the most creatively restless and beloved acts of the Britpop era. Known for their anthemic sound and the charismatic, expressive stage presence of frontman Tim Booth, they successfully bridged the gap between indie-rock credibility and massive mainstream success. They made their historic United Arab Emirates debut at the Dubai Jazz Festival in 2016, where they shared the opening night stage with Toto and delivered a performance that fans described as "reigniting" the band's legacy for a new generation.

​

With over twenty-five million records sold worldwide and a career spanning more than four decades, James has achieved twelve UK top-ten albums, including their recent 2024 studio number-one, Yummy. Their hit "Sit Down" became a defining anthem of the nineties, while the Brian Eno-produced "Laid" broke them into the American market and remains an international alt-rock classic. They are celebrated for their longevity and artistic evolution, having survived a mid-career hiatus to return stronger than ever, earning critical acclaim and awards for their innovative music videos and enduring songwriting.