The upcoming four-day fest Singapore International Jazz Festival aka Sing Jazz boasts a world-class lineup of international and local musicians. You already know the ones that are flying over here — there's the soulful chart-topper Jessie J, breakout Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna, improvisational vocalist Bobby McFerrin, electrifying jazz-fusion ensemble Snarky Puppy, legendary composer Ramsey Lewis and a handful of other immensely talented acts on the lineup.

But how about the homegrown ones? The ones that will be the ones represent our local culture on the pristine Sing Jazz stages, either on the prestigious Main Stage or the accessible Singha Stage. It'll be fun watching Chaka Khan collaborate with Incognito or Bobby McFerrin unleash a whirlwind of vocal gymnastics but the Singaporean selection they've revealed is just as exciting — and here's exactly why.

The variety in local acts is astounding

Whether if it's the future jazz offerings of TAJ or the austere ethnic fusion of Men in Groove, the local jazz acts on the lineup is an excellent reflection of the diversity of our culture. Jazz as a genre has evolved immensely, branching out into several styles that reflect its growth during decades of evolving technology. TAJ, LAB (of which shares two members from the former band) and The Steve McQueens are just part of the many forward-thinking acts around the world keen on pushing jazz away from regression — a fate that, arguably, has fallen greatly upon classical music.

Renowned jazz pianist Jeremy Monteiro.

Energetic ensemble Fungkimunkees.

The beauty of the local picks isn't a preference of one style over the other, it gives all varied styles equal ground — just like our forefathers when they introduced meritocracy. We're getting a bit out of hand but you know what we mean!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SING JAZZ AND GET TICKETS HERE

They put the talent in 'local talent'

You won't find any slackers here. They're all more than capable of stretching out their abilities to the point of flashiness — all part of the craft. Much has been said about the instrumental chops of Charlie Lim and his backing band The Mothership. Jeremy Monteiro is considered one of South-East Asia's most accomplished and skilled jazz pianists.

Truth is, you've got to have skills to make it as a serious musician and the world of jazz — famously or notoriously — houses many virtuosic musicians who can send hearts racing with a furious drum solo. It's a tough field to penetrate but these acts on the lineup prove they're no amateurs. Just take a look at Men in Groove drummer Mohamed Noor in action:

Precise and fluid. That's honest-to-God talent and he was born and bred here.

They know how to cover songs with style

The culture of covering music goes way back before the advent of YouTube musicians. In fact, in a genre like jazz, the art of covering music is a lot more commonplace. It goes way back, when famous jazz singers would perform popular compositions from a repertoire — a tradition still carried on today.

What separates them from the humdrum acoustic cover is that coupled with their jazz skills and improvisation, they can morph various songs across a stylistic spectrum and turn them into something else.

Just like Fungkimunkees when they performed a medley of a slow-burning soul jam that builds up perfectly into a shamelessly disco tune. Or even TAJ, when they ambitiously covered a slew of songs by innovative hip-hop producer J Dilla. Captivating stuff that makes us look at the originals in a new light.

Don't believe us? Or can't make time for all the acts? Well in that case, here's five local acts we're absolutely sure you can't miss out on.

CHARLIE LIM

4pm, March 7 (Main Stage)

TAJ