Bekasi Jazz Festival 2010: Jazz on the Pool (June Pre Event)
It’s been really great to see the progress of jazz in Indonesia this year. There have been many sequel of events following their success of the previous editions, there are many new comers with amazing skills, but 2010 has also been the year that mark the start of new events. We see jazz arrives in many cafes with raising appreciation from the music fans, but not only in cafes, a new big festival is on the way too. It’s Bekasi Jazz Festival 2010, held at the growing suburb of West Java, located on the eastern border of Jakarta. Soon Bekasi will fully be painted in various jazz colors. Jazz will have its new home right there at Bekasi.
Last month we already heard about the concept and the making of Bekasi Jazz Festival from the first press conference held at Horizon Hotel’s pool area. At that time, the organizers promised to present a pre-event every month until we reach the main event’s date. (Check out the report of Bekasi Jazz Festival 2010′s first press conference here). As promised, last Saturday, June 5, 2010 the June edition of Bekasi Jazz Festival pre event was held right at the same location, at the pool area of Horizon Hotel.
After more than three hours late due to the heavy rain, ultimately pre event from Bekasi Jazz Festival began. Still, the rain did not stop fans and hundreds of residents of Bekasi to come and attend this new jazz festival that’s planned to be an annual event. The concept was interesting and unique. They called it Jazz On The Pool, where jazz was served just on the other side of the pool. The pre event managed to attract much attention from the surrounding jazz community and jazz lovers in Bekasi.
By presenting some exceptional talents such as Y2K Sweet Voices, Dian & Kamasean, Galaxi Fussion, Delillah Band, The Soulmezation Band, The Confeito Band, Gum Gum Fruits, D’Gav & Friends, Y2K Power Percussion and guest star Barry Likumahuwa Project, they were able to show that jazz can be presented and enjoyed anywhere. What is truly extraordinary, the performers which were selected through an audition at Studio Y2K consisted of talented youngsters. They successfully dismissed the notion that jazz can only be enjoyed and performed by the adults alone. It was a double celebration, because at the same day, Yoyok C.R, the initiator of Bekasi Jazz Festival also celebrated his birthday. It should be great to have his birthday celebrated in such a special way, and we could see the happiness reflected on his face all through the event.
This festive event came with a surprise from a 7 year old boy, Nathan Gulo. His name is often heard on Margo Friday Jazz, an event initiated by Benny Likumahuwa which is also one of the brains behind Bekasi Jazz Festival. No doubt he’s an amazing talent. He made the audiences stunned by his greatness behind the drums. A Jam Session then arrived by two musicians, a pianist and a bassist from the audiences who wanted to show their prowess on stage. They successfully demonstrated that the Jazz could be explored by anyone who has the passion in it.
The event did not stop there. Perfect night reached its peak with a performance from Barry Likumahuwa Project. By Henry Budidharma on guitar, Dennis Junio on alto saxophone, Jonas Wang on the drum and Matthew Sayersz on vocal, they managed to enchant everyone who attended the evening with their funky groove music along with their charming personas. Playing songs taken from their first album such as “Saat Kau Milikku”, “My Prayer”, and “‘Til The Next Hello”, they brought everyone danced and sang along with them. Of course they also added a surprise by the special appearance made by Barry’s father, Benny Likumahuwa. As the living legend of jazz, he showed his remarkable skill with his horn, something from him that will never fade in time.
Th perfect night then has to end. And though it started late because of the heavy afternoon rain in Bekasi, this event successfully showed what kind of Bekasi Jazz Festival 2010 we’re going to face in the month of September.
Do not Miss the next pre event next month on July 3 at the same venue that will bring Yovie Widianto Fusion (YWF) Band and Idang Rasjidi. Let’s keep the flame on until September!
See more pictures:
Reporter: Ata Michaella
Photographer: Ardhi Saputro
Editor: Riandy Kurniawan
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