What do you have in mind when you hear this name, The Manhattan Transfer? For me personally, I guess my mind would refer to one of the finest vocal harmony quartet of the century. When this formation came up in 1972 with Tim Hauser, Alan Paul, Janis Siegel and Laurel Masse, the music world especially the jazz side got enriched by the beauty of vocal harmony. It became more obvious when “The Manhattan Transfer”, the selftitled first album with this formation came out in 1975,  even when Laurel Masse was replaced by Cheryl Bentyne in 1979 . The test of time has proven that The Manhattan Transfer has proven themselves to be a strong, consistant and very solid as a group with many achievements and awards, and that goes on until today. I personally can’t imagine how jazz would be today without The Manhattan Transfer.

This year of 2010 became a very special year for us, all the Manhattan Transfer’s fans. After 5 years without making any album, this year they are back with a very interesting album entitled “The Chick Corea Songbook“. My first thought when I saw this album was, how is it possible to pin Chick Corea’s complex compositions into 4 piece vocal harmony? I rushed to listen, and I got wow-ed immidiately. It’s such a masterpiece that I’m sure will still remember many years to come. There are many singers or musicians have tried to interpret Chick Corea’s collections, but with the new outfit made by The Manhattan Transfer, suddenly I saw some sides of Chick Corea’s compositions that I’d never heard before. The songs are made very well to fit the harmony of their vocals, and that includes the rhythm, tempo and so on. Chick Corea Songbook appears to be a very creative and smart album, showing that The Manhattan Transfer is still strong, solid as a unit and still have a wonderful future ahead. It’s a high degree of difficulties album ever be made by any vocal harmony group. Having said that, the way they brought the songs were very enjoyable and delivered ellegantly. You will keep guessing what’s coming up after hearing each song. Try to listen to “Spain”, and you will know what I mean. Their rendition of this song will surprise you from the start.

The Manhattan Transfer’s Press Conference at the Java Jazz Festival 2010

This year The Manhattan Transfer made two phenomenal performances at the Java Jazz Festival 2010. The first one was The Chick Corea Songbook which served with rhythm section and more electric (read the report and see the pictures taken from the show here), while the second one was a very sweet and intimate session with Ron King Big Band. (check out the report and pictures from the session here).  Right after their 2nd Night Performance at Java Jazz Festival 2010 with Ron King Big Band,  all the members of The Manhattan Transfer made  a press conference. We got the chance to ask them about the album material and stories behind the making.

Let’s talk about your album, The Chick Corea Songbook. We know Chick Corea as a composer who like to write complex compositions. It must be difficult for you to translate them into the shape of vocal harmony. Was it?
Cheryl: Yes, it was very complex. We didn’t know it would be that complex until we actually did it.

Where did you get the idea?
Cheryl: The idea came from Yusuf Gandhi (the excecutive producer of 4Q/Four Quarters Records). He approached us to do it. We have been friends to Chick Corea, so we thought, why not? We were thrilled to do it.

How about the concept of this album?
Janis: We made the concept to fit for four vocalists.. we tried to make something different than what you have heard from the other artists. There are many artists had done it, so we had to make something new.

Like your version of Spain..it was really different
Janis: Yes, like Spain. You know people tried to do it faster and faster. But for us, with four vocalists it would be impossible. So we tried to have another approach. We did it slower. We want to get the emotion, be more evocative instead of focusing on the speed.

By doing that you could focus on the beauty of the song and the meaning contained in it, is that right?
Janis: Yes, exactly. I’m glad you could see it that deep.

Jazzuality.com with Tim Hauser and Janis Siegel of The Manhattan Transfer

Thank you. As far as I recall, you hadn’t release any album for 5 years before Chick Corea Songbook came out. Why was it?
Tim: Because we have no clue or idea what to do, until Yusuf Gandhi came to us and offer this amazing idea. Let me continue what Cheryl said. Yusuf Gandhi has had the idea for 10 years. When he offered us, we thought it would be interesting. It’s like coming out of the box for us to do something different like this.

What do you think of the audience here in Indonesia?
Janis: the audience are fabulous! They are warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. They were singing Spain together with us. It was unbelievable. We never seen any other crowds who could sing Spain along with us, but they really did it.

Thank you very much.. It’s been so nice to see you again this year. I hope to see you again next year.
Tim: Thank you, We definately look forward to it

Interviewed by Riandy Kurniawan
Photographer: Mark Swapo

It’s been 4 years now for Jajan Jazz to spread the jazz love among all jazz lovers and community. 4 years is not a short time, but with all their efforts and strength, also the passion to introduce all kinds of jazz to the society, Jajan Jazz continuously carries this important mission and it still goes on until today. “We use jazz as a media of appreciation..” they said, “And we give a certain package to all the music lovers, as the combination between the location and the jazz itself.”

This Saturday there will be a party at Jajan Jazz, celebrating their 4th Anniversary. Holding the title, Jajan Jazz 4th Anniversary Celebration, the event is going to be made very special. If you look at the lineups, you’ll know how special it is.

With all the respect to other great performers, we’d like to highlight one of the finest fusion group consits of senior jazz musicians, the Story Tellers. This is the group with a clear concept of how to deliver jazz fusion to reach the heart and attention of all the music lovers. Story Tellers was born 4 years ago in 2006 consists of outstanding musicians such as Iwang Noorsaid (keyboard/synthesizer), Krishna Siregar (acoustic/electric piano), Franky Sadikin (electric bass) and Inang Noorsaid (drums). The Story Tellers has told their stories on many stages since then, such as Grande Jazz, several JakJazz edition, Tour de Music Campus, Benton Jazz Karawaci and of course the Jajan Jazz. If you like jazz with quality, if you love fusion more than anything, or if you want to know about the soul of jazz fusion better, you should check out this group. It’s going to be great to have them telling their story again in the shape of jazz fusion at the Rooftop BSD Junction this Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Jajan Jazz 4th Anniversary Celebration will also be the place to launch Jajan Jazz Member Card. With affordable price (Group Card: IDR 125.000 and Single Card: IDR 75.000) you can get so much advantage and benefit by holding this card. Check out the benefit of each card at Jajan Jazz official website.

Here are the performing artists and schedule:

Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Location: Rooftop BSD Junction

02:00 pm – 03:00 pm (Coaching CLinic by Rhythm & Groove Music Camp with Yance Manusama, Kadek Rihardika, Rayendra Sunito, Taufan Gunarso, Timur Sagara)
4.30 pm – 4.55 pm       BETIGA
4.55 pm – 5.20 pm      NATHAN GULO
5.20 pm – 5.45 pm      KRIS KRUISE  
6.30 pm– 6.55 pm      JACKET POTATO
6.55 pm– 7.20 pm      STARLITE
7.20 pm– 8.00 pm     GUGUN BLUES SHELTER
8.00 pm– 8.25 pm      BIANGLALA VOICES  
8.25 pm– 8.35 pm      SPEECH/CEREMONIAL
8.35 pm– 9.15 pm      RESTU & WISDOM BROTHERS
9.15 pm– 9.55 pm      LIAN PANGGABEAN AND FRIENDS
9.55 pm– 10.35 pm   ABE SIMPSON TRIO
23.15 pm– 23.55 pm     STORY TELLERS   
23.55 pm– 00.35 pm    CROSSFADE
01.15 pm– 02.00 pm   JAM SESSION

ps: There might be Emerald band to perform as well. (subject to change)

For more information, log on to Jajan Jazz official website

Following the Contemporary Jazz Night two months ago tributing 3 legendary jazz icon, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Chick Corea, this time Contemporary Jazz Night comes again with another three legendary jazz greats.

This time Shanghai Blue 1920 is presenting three legends who had uncountable contributions in shaping jazz in their eras. George Gershwin,  Duke Ellington and Herbie Hancock.

George Gershwin is one of the greatest American composer in history. He wrote so many songs and compositions remain classics until today, which become the jazz standard that we all love dearly. It’s hard to imagine how it would be without Gershwin’s songbook.

Talking about Duke Ellington means talking about a figure that always remembered as one of the most influential artists in the history of music recording. Some take him as one of the greatest figures in the history of jazz. And that’s no wonder since he has written so many songs in many genres, strectched from blues, gospel to even classical. His big band became one of most important role in size or compositions. I believe we are all agree that Ellington is an important milestone in jazz history.

Now the living legend, Herbie Hancock. Not only regarded as one of the greatest living jazz musicians, but also as the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century. He becomes the role model for many generations as he involved in shaping many sub genres of jazz that we know today. He was one of the main man of post bop, he also shaped fusion and so on. You’d find his name in almost any sub genres of jazz. He also entered the funk and pop jazz field, showing that he always accept all kinds of music with open arms. That’s what the legend do.

Don’t miss this interesting show with Nita Aartsen Project in charge.  In the hand of Nita, an amazing pianist, vocalist and composer, we know that the result would be special.

Save the date!

Date: Saturday, 27 March 2010
Time: 9 pm onwards
Place: Shanghai Blue 1920 Jazz Club & Restaurant
Jl. Kebon Sirih Raya 79,  Central Jakarta
Free Entry!

Special Offers:
Buy a bottle of wine, get complimentary platter of Shanghai Tapas
Private table at IDR.1.500.000 nett with choice of:
1 bottle of Chivas Regal (incl. mixer) and platter of Shanghai Tapas
OR
Lavish dinner set menu for 6-8 persons

The night never ends at Shanghai Blue 1920 Jazz Club & Restaurant
RSVP: Hatina/ Diana at +6221 391 8690 or 0878 8169 6895
Jl. Kebon Sirih Raya 79,  Central Jakarta
Shanghai-blue@tuguhotels.com
www.tuguhotels.com

If you remember one of the article we wrote last August titled “Jazz Merah Putih Goes to Banua” (check out the report here), now comes the sequel of it. At that time, our  report from Jazz Merah Putih at Banua got many attentions and comments from the readers because they were surprised to see that jazz is actually living and breathing healthily in Borneo, the place that not so often related to jazz, or if I may say, rare. But that’s the fact, a serious but fun jazz event with such quality was acceptable and well understood by the audience. Many questions that were thrown by the audience during the show proved how jazz has been acceptable, enjoyed and loved by many people who live in the middle part of Indonesia.

We need to keep it alive.  More event should be made. A now, here comes the next chapter of Jazz Goes to Banua, following the huge success of the first one. Jazz Goes to Banua II will quench the thirst of jazz lovers just like the previous show.

Banjarmasin Jazz Community presents Jazz Goes to Banua II,  the next chapter of Jazz Merah Putih Goes to Banua last August 2009. If we look at the lineups, we see a pretty one. All lines are filled with high quality musicians. Imam Pras is one of the most sophisticated pianist resides in Bandung who also has a call to teach and spread the knowledge of jazz for many years now. He’s the master of technique, he knows how to deliver jazz in the exact way it should be. Next we have Venche Manuhutu, the senior jazz musicians who owns Venche Music School (VMS) and the proud father of the wonderkid David Manuhutu who filled up the performers lineup at the previous first event.  We are happy to see that he’s going to appear in more and more events after being off under the radar for quite some times.  The rest of the performers are great as well. You will know it when you see the show yourself. The event are free of charge, and dedicated only for Jazz Lovers.

Featuring guest stars:
– Imam Prass (Piano)
– Venche Manuhutu (Guitar)
– Teddy ( Bass )
– Budiono ( drum )
– Arif Setiadi ( saxophone )
– Grace Sahertian ( vocal )

and off course popular local Jazzers like :
– Meratus Jazz Center (MJC)
– Eqvalent
– Purwacaraka Music Studio

There will be jazz shows, music clinic/ workshop, and jam sessions.

Date: Sunday, March 14, 2010
Time: 19:00 WITA (Middle Indonesian Standard Time)
Location: Jorong Cafe and Resto
Jl. S Parman 115 Banjarmasin, South Borneo Indonesia

FREE OF CHARGE!

Attention girls! Prepare to have your heart stolen by this new sensation in the music world. Meet Griffith Frank, a young man who is gifted with many things. He’s handsome, cool, down to earth and really can sing very well. With 3 octave vocal range that connected perfectly to his heart, he’s ready to reshape the music industry very soon.

We are not exaggerating. All the audience who came to watch him at the A 2 BNI Hall witnessed a stunning performance they would never forget. His vocal is amazing, and he has his soul attached in every note he sings.  Songs from wide range of genres were personally selected by him to show that he could sing just about any song perfectly. And for us, he should be listed as one of the singer who has the greatest voice in this century.  You’ll love Griffith Frank from the very first time you see him and hear him sing.

Recently he made headlines by singing his debut single, “Unusual Way”, a very heartfelt song that was made to fill in the Golden Globe nominee “Nine” OST.  He’s finishing his debut album right now that is scheduled to come out later on this summer.  His appearance at the Java Jazz Festival 2010 was a huge success, we heard many compliments from the audiences from the stages area to the media room about Griffith’s performance.

We got a chance to have an interview with Griffith Frank just an hour before the Java Jazz Festival 2010 began. In one of the cozy and comfy room at Borobudur Hotel we asked him some questions. Let’s get deep with Griffith.

First of all, welcome to Indonesia. I know you’ve been travelling so far from US to reach here, was it tiring?
Thank you. Actually, somehow, it was like 20 hours on the plane, it doesn’t seem that long. I’ve flown across United States and it was take about 6 hours, but those plane trips seemed longer than this one. I wasn’t bad at all. It’s interesting.

What do you think about Indonesia?
It’s great. I like it a lot. I love spicy food so we work it well here. And the climate is very humid wet here and actually it makes very easy to sing. And everybody here is very nice.

With your three octave vocal range, it should be easy for you to sing just about any genres. Which genre do you like the most?
Well, in any genre I would find the song that I’d like to cover to sing..something rock, something pop, something classical, it could be anything. I don’t really have a preference because you find individual song that could really connect with you in special way. So I’d like to sing it all.

As you mentioned special way, now let’s talk about your song, “Unusual Way” which appeared in “Nine” OST. Was it based on your personal experience or it was strictly only for the movie?
It’s actually from the musical itself. It’s not my own song. Surprisingly enough it does connect with me very well because I had experiences like that, but it’s a great song. And it was very easy for me to connect with.

Nine is an Italian movie, and you sang the song in operatic style.. like the style of Pavarotti or the younger and lighter Josh Groban.. is it your real style or it’s because of the movie?
Well, my style is kind of a combination of everything I’ve experienced in my life because I have such a wide range of music over the years. From pop, extremely pop to classicly based or rock or anything really.. it’s what I’ve come up with myself. I don’t model it after anybody else. I just sing and that’s what comes out. And so we were creating our own sound. That’s exactly what those guys are doing as well. They are taking what they have created as a sound and and they are putting it out there. So this is me, this is my sound. The song itself is from the musical so it’s more musical theatre drivin’ song. It’s actually the most theatrical musical song on my album. But you’ll see at the show that I actually have a very wide range of musical styles going on.

Where do you get influence from?
Like I said, everything. But it’s hard for me to pinpoint who has had the biggest affect on what I do. In terms of my songwriting, I’d say definately my biggest influence are from Sting, Annie Lennox and really unique artists like that who kind of do their own thing, really on the emotion, romanticism in the music..that’s really something that I like. Kind of melancholy feeling. I really like Coldplay, how they capture the melancholiness of music. Really they captured it that well.

Are you thinking to have any collaboration with any Indonesian musicians?
I guess it’s not a surprise.. I’m singing in duet with Andien and some other collaborations. I’m going to sing with Due Voci a night before and with couple other Indonesian artists as well.

What do you think about Andien?
She’s great. She’s really great. I actually practiced with her this afternoon before this press thing. She has a really great musical sensibility and beautiful tone. It’s always fascinating to go around the world to see the type of musicians. I actually on my plane flight over here I was flying an international flight.  So it had a huge selections of musics. Like Saudi Arabian music to Russians, Mandarin hits, Japanese stuffs, so I got to listen to any kinds of music from all around the world and it’s interesting to see they are kind of like each other but very different in the traditional influences and all.. so it’s really cool that there’s so much music in the world. I wonder if I could listen to it all.

As you are preparing your debut album, can you give us a hint what the album will be like?
Every song that I’d like to do always have something to do always has something very special about. something that can make it stands on its own..it’s very important. And also that I wanna get across. So they are all connected by my voice, overall focus on the words and the emotion of it. My music is generally more like the type of romantic. I think that’s kind of connect it all. But every song has its own thing and it’s different. I don’t think any one song is too much like another.

Since this is a jazz festival and there will be many jazz lovers come here, do you think it’s important to change the arrangement or vocal style a bit to suit the genre?
Well I’m singing a jazz standard (laugh). I’m going to sing ‘Autumn Leaves’, I love that song. And through my life I’ve had everything else, like jazz.. jazz has been a big influence. The standards expecially. Like Gershwin.. I like Gershwin. But my favorite song of all time is ‘What Are You Doing For the Rest of Your Life.’

Do you also play any instruments?
Yeah, I play piano and elecric bass. With piano I started to play classical music but now I  play more pop oriented stuff. But on bass I play rock. I really want to learn how to play jazz base, because some of the players are so amazing.

Is there any experience you really remember the most throughout your career?
When I sang the song for the movie Nine, I was invited to sing “Unusual Way” at a launcheon in Los Angeles. In the movie Nicole Kidman sings this song. So at the luncheon there were they, the producer, the director, the actors, and right in front of me when I was singing.. you know, there were Nicole Kidman and Penelope Cruz. I was like this.. (Griffith thumping on his chest). My dad was accompanying me and he’s playing an electric keyboard. When he puts a higher key that I should sing higher than I could, I said “wait, wait”. I stopped singing, and you know. With Nicole and Penelope standing there I felt just like I want to runaway.That was huge. That was quite an experience. But that was great. It was very fun.

What do you expect to be in 10 years from now?
I wanna be playing music still. It’s just I love it, and my creative thrives gonna keep going so that’s what my plan. I suppose I’m lucky because I have that sort of thrive to do what I have to do but definately something involves with art. Because I love to write, I love to sing, I love to do a little sketching, I love to play music, anything to do with sort of creative work.

Okay then..thank you very much for your time.. good luck with the show, I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you, hope to see you there.

See more pictures:

From the interview session:

From Griffith’s performance at the  Java Jazz Festival 2010:

Interviewed by Riandy Kurniawan
Photographer: Ata Michaella, I Putu Surya K.B

So many things were happening at the JIExpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, the venue of Java Jazz Festival 2010 for 3 days in a row! Hundreds of show took place in 21 stages that spread around the big venue. The venue itself was prepared amazingly. It almost looks like a big jazz city, that was the impression we got when we went around every inches of the place to give you reports for 3 days.

Right from the entrance you’d see long queue ready to experience the most spectacular jazz event on earth with their own eyes. There were many interesting spots to take pictures, there were enough lifts to bring you up to the 6th floor, where you could find the media room, the press conference room, some performing stages and merchandise booths.

There were many big stages located on the left and right side of the outside hall. And in the middle you could find the biggest food market selling all kind of foods you could ever imagine. Thousands of people filled the whole areas. And it became quite an attraction for us besides all the amazing artists around the world who performed in each stage.

Many interesting things happening outside the music halls were captured by our photographers, and we believe these pictures would tell more stories of the Java Jazz Festival 2010.  That’s why we decided to make this article.

You can also see what’s been going on at the media room as well, the checkpoint spot  for us and many other medias.   Jazzuality.com crews took the center of the room preparing the news and pictures before they went to reach you, all of our excellent readers.  The table was messy with lots of stuffs, some of us did nonstop writings, some kept resizing and tagging the pictures and cooked them all as the reports.

A picture speaks a thousand words, we hope you enjoy these titbits that were taken around the venue. It was an unbelievable festival, and we are very happy to be a part of it. See you  next year at Java Jazz Festival 2011!

The Chairman of Java Jazz Festival, Mr Peter F Gontha accompanying the Vice President of Indonesia, Mr Budiono

Mr Peter Gontha and Mr Budiono at one of the merchendise booth

A view of  artists’ registration desk at the hotel lobby

Not only the adults, even a little children could enjoy jazz nowadays

Queuing to see the performance of their favorites

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No.. it’s not superman.. it’s the daily schedule they were staring on

The “Golden Men” on the walkline became quite an attraction for many

Artists waiting to be transferred to the venue

A fans trying to impersonate John Legend. They look alike don’t they?

Some of our crews were busy to choose the pictures

Jazzuality crew.From left to right: Ata Michaella, Praditya Nova, Ardhi Saputro, Lanny Novianda, Daniel Irawan, Vierna Mariska K, Riandy Kurniawan, Mark Swapo, Novan Yahya Renatal, Eghi Gabred

Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan
Photographer: Praditya Nova, Omar Arif Maulana, Mark Swapo, Eghi Gabred, Ata Michaella

Editor: Vierna M.K

It’s really not exaggerated to say that Griffith Frank is one of the greatest voice of this century. Performing the songs of his upcoming debut album and some classic tunes like Michael Jackson’s “She’s Out of My Life” also the classic Westside’s Story’s “Maria”.  Griffith brought the ultimate Brian Simpson, his own father David Frank who always stand by him on the keyboard,  plus special performance by Jeff Lorber, Harvey Mason, Mindi Abair, Nate Phillips and also a special duet with the Indonesian sweetheart, Andien.

The show itself reached its peak moment as Griffith Frank sang his debut single and music video from the Golden Globe nominee “Nine” titled “Unusual Way” that flew beautifully enchanting. Griffith Frank is a heartthrob that will make the girls’ heart melt away with his handsome face, charm, persona and amazing vocal quality. With everything he has within him, we are sure that he will reach the top in no time. It was a great show. Thanks,  Griffith! We hope to see you again.

See more pictures:

Reporter: Daniel Irawan, Riandy Kurniawan
Photographer: I Putu Surya K.B

Ever wondered why Bob James becomes a legend? One main reason is his skills on playing the piano is superb, and he always play by pouring his heart and soul.  Anywhere his fingers move would create melodious sounds.  We used to say, give some notes to Bob, and he will turn it into a masterpiece composition. That’s how amazing Bob James is. What we heard is a natural creation of the perfect jazz tunes. On the last day of Java Jazz Festival 2010, Bob James performed with his trio including Harvey Mason on drums. Unlike the day before, in the much smaller Semeru Hall Bob could interact more intimately than ever with the audiences.  Bob once again ended his performance with his new composition that successfully made the crowds popped. On this second show, Bob James played a bit different and managed to get standing applause by the audiences.  What a perfect tune to close this his performance at this year’s Java Jazz Festival gloriously.

One of the last show of Java Jazz Festival 2010 was Nita Aartsen and her Latin Jazz Mania. Nita Aartsen is a senior and complete pianist that also sing also gifted as a stand out music composer. Whether it’s pop, rock, blues, classical, or any other genres, she could breath a soul into it to make the  song feels so alive.  Nita said “Music is like home to me.. It’s like a dining room where I have my harmony food, it’s like a bed to lie down and relax my mind from my restlessness, it’s like a living room where I join my fellow musicians, and even a spiritual room for my peace and inspiration. Music is also like a big garden for joy, fun and excitement.”

We could clearly see that music is everything for Nita, and that was what she gave in one of the last shows of Java Jazz Festival 2010. Bringing the cool Latin Jazz Mania as the concept, her show was enjoyed by many audiences. And with Nita Aartsen, Java Jazz Festival 2010 finally reached the end.

Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan, Daniel Irawan
Photographer: Praditya Nova, Eghi Gabred

This band who brought Chaka Khan into the light of fame now came back to java Jazz Festival. After being in the hidden nest of crowd, Rufus the showed themselves back in the year of 2006. It is out of Tony Maiden idea – Guitarist of Rufus to do a show collaborating with Sly Stone. Helding it in Java Jazz Festival 2010, they made people watched in awe for their magnificent performance.

One of the JJF’s Best Pals, Jeff Lorber, who were widely known as fusion jazz respected artists, was also one reason the festival could going along so well until now. Together with Brian simpson, Michael Paulo and some other artists, Jeff has never absent support the shows. This year, like before, Jeff has again performed with Michael Paulo and Jimmy Haslip from Yellowjackets as a surprise guest appearance. There’s not much to say about his performance which always treated our thirst for jazz every year but totally remarkable.

Randy Brecker, legendary trumpeter and flugelhorn player from The Becker Brothers, and Bill Evans, famous saxophonist who once being the members of Miles Davis band, comes with a  special package named Soulbop Special Edition featuring guitarist Robben Ford, bassist Darryl Jones, pianist Steve Weingart, and above all Toto’s Steve Lukather. Steve’s appearance was one of the most expected performance this year since Toto had became many band’s inspired style. Steal the show one after another, they explored the other side of jazz, rock, soul and blues alltogether, and rarely we could see music legends collaborate together in one big stage at the main hall. Even Babyface’s special show couldn’t hold the audience’s enthusiasm to see their performance.

See more pictures:

Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan, Daniel Irawan, Ata Michaella
Photographer: Omar Arif Maulana, Praditya Nova, Daniel Irawan
Editor: Ardhi Saputro

Just like yesterday, The Manhattan Transfer held another special show if last night they held it with Chick Corea tonight they had another special show with Ron King Big Band.

Playing songs from their own composition, Janis Siegel, Cheryl Bentyne, Alan Paul and Tim Hauser awed the audiences with their amazing performance, they magically hypnotized the crowd. After two years in a row being in Java Jazz Festival, coming back here again offering two different shows technically. The first night when they did Chick Corea Songbook, they did it with rhythm sections and more electric while the second night they did it with big band.

Hypnotyzing people with their magnificent performance, for sure they showed why they are the prime vocal group in the world, and simply the best. It was crowded last year, so it was for this year’s festival. Both Special Shows were full with their enthusiastic fans that could never be enough to see them more and more.

Right after the show they did a press conference session. They expressed how happy they are to be here again, joining the largest jazz festival in the world. Janis told that she once played with some Indonesian musicians such as Dewa Budjana and Yance Manusama. “They were all great”, she said. When asked about the audience,  Janis said “They are fabulous, warm, enthusiastic, knowledgeable.” She even added, “I never seen people singing Spain together in any other countries, but in here they sang together with us. It was incredible.”

Speaking about the Java Jazz Festival itself compares to any other festival in the United States, Tim Hauser said that the states has almost no big jazz festival anymore, except Playboy Jazz Festival. “This is the largest jazz festival, patterned after North Sea Jazz Festival but now this is bigger.” Alan Paul added that he couldn’t think of any other festival that can have the names like this. “You have George Duke, John Legend, Toni Braxton and everyone else at the same festival.. you are very fortunate.” he said. Janis concluded that it’s the diversity that makes it very interesting.

Well, we are happy to see the best, the iconic and legendary the Manhattan Transfer again this year. We surely hope that they will make it to come again next year.

See more pictures:

Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan, Ata Michaella
Photographer: Mark Swapo
Editor: Ardhi Saputro