The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya traded its familiar quiet for the sound of live jazz and blues, and in doing so, may well have started one of the Hill Country’s most anticipated annual traditions. 

The inaugural Jazz & Blues Weekend brought together music, heritage and hospitality in a setting that proved as much a part of the experience as the performances themselves. Only weeks after the final notes faded, the hotel has confirmed that the festival will return in August 2027. 

The weekend opened at lunchtime with three of Colombo’s leading bands taking the stage: Jerome Speldewinde with The Jazz Quartet, Chris Das with Topaz, and The Standards Project. Each brought its own distinct character to the programme, carrying audiences from the afternoon into the evening, with sessions running from noon to 10.30 p.m. and the music continuing well into the night. 

As the afternoon light gave way to the Hill Country chill, the atmosphere shifted. The heritage surroundings, the gathering of guests and the warmth of live music combined to create something more than a concert at a hotel. The Grand itself became part of the performance. 

Guests were also treated to lavish buffets prepared by the Grand’s chefs, alongside a curated selection of beverages served exclusively to festival-goers. 

Jazz has always been about atmosphere, improvisation and personal expression, and few venues in Sri Lanka offer a more fitting stage than this colonial-era landmark. Its elegant interiors, sweeping grounds and Nuwara Eliya’s famously cool climate create an intimate, sophisticated backdrop that suits the genre perfectly. 

The performers’ response perhaps captured the spirit of the weekend best. Ray Gomes of The Jazz Quartet with Jerome Speldewinde praised the audiences’ enthusiasm and the effort behind the festival, adding: “We look forward to working with the Grand Hotel on future events of this nature.” 

The Standards Project echoed the sentiment: “The beautiful band lineup, combined with the cozy Nuwara Eliya weather, created the perfect atmosphere for jazz. We are super excited for the next one and can’t wait to collaborate again soon.” 

The Hill Country has long been known for its scenery, tea estates and heritage. A recurring music festival adds a vibrant new dimension to that identity, giving travellers one more reason to head for the hills. 

The hotel’s leadership envisions the Jazz & Blues Weekend becoming a signature annual tradition at the Grand, much like its celebrated Christmas season, with its own identity and a loyal following of guests and musicians who return year after year. 

The first chapter has been written. The next beat is August 2027.