Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) the only authorized distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Sri Lanka recently sponsored the first ever Jazz and Blues Festival in Sri Lanka, which took place at Galle Face Hotel. This spectacular event spanned 12 hours and included a stellar line up of artistes both local and international, amazing food paired with wine and champagne with oysters set out to create an experience never seen in the country. Those who witnessed this unique event mentioned that they felt as if they were in New Orleans – such was the amazing experience and atmosphere. DIMO came forward to partner this event due to similarities between how people devour and enjoy jazz & blues, and how people enjoy Mercedes-Benz.

Jazz is a music genre that originated from African American communities of New Orleans in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It emerged in the form of independent traditional and popular musical styles, all linked by the common bonds of African American and European American musical parentage with a performance orientation. The blues has deep roots in American history, particularly African-American history. The blues originated on Southern plantations in the 19th Century. Its inventors were slaves, ex-slaves and the descendants of slaves—African-American sharecroppers who sang as they toiled in the cotton and vegetable fields. The blues grew up in the Mississippi Delta just upriver from New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Blues and jazz have always influenced each other, and they still interact in countless ways today.

DIMO invitees were made to feel special by being hosted at a custom made Mercedes-Benz Lounge where they were treated to a sumptuous buffet catered by Galle Face Hotel and a delightful list of wines exclusively served for those at the lounge. The invitees also had the opportunity to meet and greet some of the artistes, which included Jazz & Blues legend Jimmy Thomas, Geoffrey Fernando and South Africa’s Jazz & Blues queen Sannie Fox.

DIMO displayed the latest Mercedes-Benz C300 hybrid, Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV and the Mercedes-Benz S 400 hybrid at the event. These latest models from the inventor of the automobile allowed the event participants to experience the three pointed stars, and identify why a Mercedes-Benz is unlike any other.

DIMO always strives to facilitate newer and extraordinary experiences to their valued customers. The Colombo Jazz & Blues Festival created such a platform and an atmosphere where selected DIMO customers were able to experience something out of the ordinary - unparalleled to any other. This is the same experience provided by Mercedes-Benz.