Nagi BAZ has become a well known face at the ILMC, and has done much to open up a territory that has had its problems and was until quite recently a an oriental mystery to the European business. He told Vip News about his Company.

Vip News: When did you start promoting?

BAZ: Buzz Productions was founded in 1994, now 10 years later, we handle 2 of the 3 Lebanon festivals; Baalbeck, one of the Orient's most beautiful roman ruins sites, at which we have presented; Sting, Lord Of The Dance, Vanessa-Mae, Charles Aznavour, Buena Vista Social Club, Paco de Lucia, Imperial Circus of China and Johnny Hallyday, and Byblos where this summer's edition includes Gotan Project, Blind Boys Of Alabama, John Mayall, Gregorian, Richard Dorfmeister, and others. We have also worked with; Alanis Morissette, Roger Waters, Harlem Globe Trotters, Paul Anka and The Scorpions, etc.

Vip News: What is your business background?

BAZ: I spent 10 years in advertising agencies in France and then became Managing Director of Polydor - Motown - A&M in France from 1990 to 1993.

Vip News: Do you work closely with any other companies?

BAZ: I do not work with any local acts, although my partners in the area are Mirage Promotions in Dubaļ. My best friend in the business is Tim Dowdall from Multimedia in Hungary. We have done lots of shows together, such as; Lord Of The Dance, Sting, Chris de Burgh, Scorpions, Vanessa-Mae and the Harlem Globe Trotters

Vip News: Which Cities do you operate in?

BAZ: We are the only company in the Middle East that has done big shows in 6 different cities in the Middle East: - Sting and Cheb Mami in Amman in 2001 in cooperation with Andrew Zweck of Sensible Events in the UK. - 2 big pop-techno festivals in Dubaļ and Abu Dhabi, featuring Sonique, Darude, Shaggy, etc. We were also responsible for the first western music concert ever in Syria, a techno festival in Damascus in August 2002.

Vip News: Were you affected by the War?

BAZ: Yes, we suffered from the Iraqi war because of the amalgam made by Anglo- Saxon agents between all Middle Eastern countries. But now we move on and look to the future.

Vip News: What are your next projects?

BAZ: I am co-producing the 3rd edition of our techno festival called 'Beat Machine in Dubaļ on 23rd October with Mirage Promotions. Then, we are co-producing Lord Of The Dance in Dubaļ from 23rd till 27th January 2004.

Contact: e-mail: buzzprod@inco.com.lb