Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Amman – In a highly anticipated step, PepsiCo-Jordan officially began hosting its Mazzik auditions on Saturday, 16th May 2009, at the Amman Marriott Hotel. The auditions will be held throughout the summer until 19th August 2009. The first music competition of its kind in the Kingdom, Mazzik seeks to discover the best Arabic and English singing and musical talents in Jordan.

PepsiCo also announced the names of its two panels of Arabic and English music judges, both of which feature well-known and influential regional musicians and singers. Headed by Ilham Al Madfai, the Arabic music panel includes Khaled Mustafa, Rima’ Al Kashef and Hani Mitwassi, whilst Qassem Sabounji is heading the English music panel, which includes Adeeb Al-Dirhalli, Lama Hazboun and Rima’ Al Kashef.

"The level of participation that Mazzik has garnered in such a short time is truly impressive; we at PepsiCo are very pleased with the enthusiasm with which the competition was received and look forward to the exciting season ahead," said Mr. Tuncer Akgun, PepsiCo’s General Manager. "This competition is an ideal opportunity for Jordan's undiscovered talents to shine, and is in line with our ongoing efforts to support the local art and music scenes."

Mazzik aims to produce two musical bands, one for Arabic music and the other for English music, wherein PepsiCo will offer each team the unique opportunity to record their first song in Beirut and receive a JD 10,000 financial prize.