Djarum Super Presents: Jazzy Ozzie Sidewalk
Welcome to Braga. One of the most important streets in Indonesia which contains many historical moments in the past. It’s a must visit place for tourists, both local and international. The old buildings still stand strong in there, just by looking at it you could have a mind-journey back in time to see some of the milestones of Indonesian history, and a part of world history. The legendary Asian-African Conference which established the economic and cultural cooperation among Asian and African nations to oppose colonialism was held just around the corner of Braga. You can still see some of the old stores still running until today. There are many people sell their paintings around the street of Braga as well. It’s a tourists’ spot, and it’s definately a place of education, culture and art. And here, we had a very special party there, JAZZY OZZIE SIDEWALK. The name Jazzy Ozzie itself was taken after a program in Oz Radio started in 2003, stimulating Jazz music to young people in Bandung.
Music is one of the shape of art should have its home in Braga too, no doubt about it. But we rarely see it, until finally Djarum Super decided to held a very special party in Braga. It’s a big musical party served in various color named Jazzy Ozzie Sidewalk. This event featured an exclusive performance by Syaharani and the Queenfireworks (ESQI:EF) along with some of the best artists from different styles and backgrounds that also have a free-minded concept in their music including Adrian Adioetomo, , DJ Tiara Eve, G/E/T, Vassagie, Grace Sahertian and Friends and Iman Brata Trio. We also got some more great bands, The Statement and Soulvibe. All of these wonderful performers promised a big party to re-establish Braga as the home of music, including jazz.
Jazzy Ozzie Sidewalk offered the colorful concept of music representing the various genres and styles we have in music and entertainment. It was first made as a special party to celebrate ESQI:EF a.k.a Syaharani and the Queenfireworks’ new album “Anytime”, but then Djarum Super expanded the idea into a new kind of entertainment. The concept was delivering all kinds of music roots to merge in harmony in one venue. It also meant to re-establish Braga as the home of music. There might be more series by Djarum Super with this concept, and when it happen we will inform you about it. One thing for sure, the party was on with all independent bands from different music segmentations, styles and backgrounds. The music concept without boundary, out of the box were presented in Jazzy Ozzie Sidewalk. No matter what genre you are into, there are always some angles that can be used to fuse with another different ones. Having said that, we still have to think of the aestethical aspects to keep the music stays beautiful in its own way. The market might refer to “Fusion” as the name to describe the blendings, but still we have to think of the essence more than just making up the name. Music is dynamic and progressive, it won’t stop growing, and it shouldn’t be kept in small particular boxes. That has always been the essence carried by ESQI:EF in their musical concept, and that was the main idea of Djarum Super to held this unique event.
When we just entered the venue we could see the first stage on the right side, DJ booth complete with the turn table. This was the corner presenting some DJ performing that went on all through the event simultaneously. As we walked further we could see the second stage on our left side, simple and minimalistic stage to collaborate with the concept of Jazzy Ozzie it self. We didn’t have to walk further,we could see the third stage from here with big screen for the back ground and the last stage was indoor, inside the New Majestic’s hall.
Aldi Nada(keyboard/piano), Jalu Rohanda(bass) and Herwin Patra(drums) from Vassagie usually brought a mix of mainstream,be bop and fusion altogether. 
This time they brought an additional guitarist named Indra. Some songs came out from the stage right away with delicious different tastes, even a slight taste of blues such as “It Was You”.
Grace sahertian and Friends lightened up the jazz atmosphere to the stage, with her boldy vocal exploration and soulful voice. Just a few days ago Grace sahertian and friends performed a gig in Sunday Jazz, delivered a special tribute to Pat Metheny and Anna Maria Jopek. Everytime she began to sing ,even from distance we already knew, it must be Grace. The crowds applaused when they heard Grace explored her voice over “Are You Going With Me”. Grace sang “Always and Forever” in Polish language, followed by “Better Days Ahead” and “And Then I Knew” which filled with cool scat by Grace.
After the short break, the other stage at the end of the venue blasted with a cool rockin’ reggae in courtesy of Ras Muhammad. Muhammad Egar is known as Ras Muhammad. He brought reggae music to the stage, mixed between Tribal Riddims from Dance hall Reggae and the original of reggae music itself. So far he already released two albums. The first album “Declaration of Truth” was released in 2005 and after two years the second album “ Reggae Ambassador “ finally released under Aksara Records, before the newest one was launched recently. Some audiences danced in extacy with the cool reggae rhythm. Several songs including those taken from their new album were brought. It was an interactive performance by Ras Muhammad.
Right after the cool burning performance of Ras Muhammad, Iman Brata Trio started the outdoor stage in front of the New Majestic building. Bluesy and funky jazz was the identity of Iman Brata Trio. Consists of Abank Kartadibrata Sulaiman (guitar and vocal), Ade Sulaiman Kartadibrata (drums) and Gabriel (bass). Great tune and performance was their standard of playing live music. The fine taste of blues opened up their session, taking on John Coltrane’s song that pinned in the impressive style of freedom just like how Jimi Hendrix used to play. After a number taken from the collection of Miles Davis, The vocalist Harti came to sing a traditional sundanese song, “Bajing Luncat” . Iman Brata gave a deep blues touch on this song impressively. The last song was a very famous 2D’s song, “O Ya”. Iman Brata performed way better than before, especially with some experiments on his guitar.
The next band was G/E/T. G/E/T is a set of three Gallang Perdhana Dalimunthe (bass), Edward Manurung(drums), Tesla Manaf Effendi(Guitar). They always brought their idealism of playing jazz everytime thet took the stage. They always perform impressively letting the audiences to enjoy their “idelaism” in jazz. They delivered their own songs including “One Year Dinner”, “James” and “Play Death”. Soon they will release their debut album. Hopefully their album will do just great and continue to amazed every one whos listen.
Exactly at 8:00 PM Soulvibe started on the far corner. Soulvibe is a cool soulful groove consists of 6 young personnels with many fans. Some of their fans gathered in front of the stage and sang together with them through all the songs. Soulvibe stands for “Sound of Universal Love Various Instruments and Behaviour., and they delivered it in a really nice groove that would fit to everyone’s taste. For tonight they brought some of their songs taken from the first and second album such as “Your Smile”, “Untuk Sementara”, followed by the new hit “Berlian”.
Soulvibe granted the audiences’ request by singing “Lil Bit”. And they continued on with the hit from their debut album “Arti Hadirmu” that made the crowds excited even more. “Biarlah” were presented just before a cool version of “Please Don’t Stop the Music”. They closed their session with “Masih” and “Antartika.” Soulvibe is definitely the top indie band with delicious funky groove to paint the Indonesian music scene with their music. Don’t forget to check out their next performance soon at Jazzylicious 2 on June 20,2010.
The Statement performed on the outdoor stage in front of the building as the last performer before we went inside the New Majestic hall. The Statement appeared with the formation of 5, delivering a set of stunning ear-catchy instrumental fusion with a touch of samba in “Angkot Bandung”, a touch of world music in “Surfing”. And the closed their session with “Howdy Buddy”. It was a really nice fusion served by the skillful group which wore traditional costumes in tonight’s gig.
It was time for everyone to enter the New Majestic hall. Want to hear something different? Djarum Super Jazzy Ozzie Sidewalk brought the stunning blues man Adrian Adioetomo. Adrian is the only person that carries on the rare Delta Blues genre in indonesia, one of the blues sub-genre that rarely heard. His album “Delta Indonesia” was amazing. A breakthrough in indonesi music industries. 
You can heard his vintage music and the feeling of listening blues sound back in the 1930’s served in authentic way. It was unbelievable one man show. Adrian definitely gave the audience a new experience. For us who missed the delta blues, he answered it all amazingly with style. A special collaboration colored up his session, as Didit Saad of ESQI:EF joined him on stage in a stunning collaboration. Donny Suhendra followed and shaped a trio. Awesome! Huge applause were given to them continuously.
That sensational jam session brought Syaharani on stage! And here came the climax. Syaharani will always be one of the undisputed female jazz icon in indonesia. Her soulful, sexy and sultry voice that always gives a different colour to every song she sings. 
Her curiousity in the world of music and every aspect in it ,made her way higher than just an ordinary beautiful singer. Her passion to explore everything in music found its match when she met Fareed “Didit” Saad. This magical band get completed when a fully experienced senior guitarist Donny Suhendra joined the team. After 4 years since the first album released “Buat Kamu” , they made an astonished “ANYTIME”, their second album with different genres, nuances and musical elements burst out creating multi-colored songs that are all easy to love. If we take a deeper look in the process of how they made “ANYTIME” and listen to it, you would fall in love with it right away. Just a little teaser, they made this album without any digital editing even once, because they wanted something “alive”, organic, not the artifical one. Try to close your eyes and listen to any song in “ANYTIME”, you will feel the sense just like seing them performing in front of you.
She’s such a magnet. Charming and full with charisma, Syaharani who dressed up beautifully just like a sweet doll brought the whole team and delivered “Kiranya”, the first song listed on the new album. It was amazing. Eventhough the album was just launched several weeks ago, the crowds seemed to know the song already, as they sang together with Syaharani. ESQI:EF simply brought magical nuance right away by their appearance. “May tonight be the start of something big, may there be more creations coming from all of us in the future.” Syaharani said. She also gave a special thanks to Mr Herman Sutanto of Djarum Super for this newly interesting idea, and all the sponsors. Syaharani then sang the next song, “Apa? Apa?Apa?” in more groovy style. Then came the first song they made for the album, “Mungkin.” It was served more cozy this time. Syharani went down and sat with the audiences, even asked Grace to sing together. The next song came on, it was the ever-lovely title-track “Anytime”. The party went on with “Jangan Lagi Datang” that presented faster than the album version and “Sayang Sayang Sayang”, the first single of the album.
ESQI:EF went on with “You’ve Got A Friend” that managed to make the audiences sang along together with her. She even brought Grace Sahertian to join her on stage with all the band. 
A song from the first album that got a new rearrangement came on, it was “Kemareen”. Then the band continued on with some more songs taken from the new album such as “Cancellation No More” and “So Far Away (Again, Again, Again)” . The last song was the whole different style of “De-Dia”. As it was the last song, it became the playground of them to improvise freely. The hall was burning with the very intimate, lovely and energetic performance by ESQI:EF. It was truly wonderful, we are sure that the audiences will never forget this moment.
What a celebration it was at Braga street. We were treated by many wonderful performers all the way from the outdoor area all the way to reach the main event in the hall of New Majestic. The concept was really cool, blending different kinds of genres through various independent bands in one venue, located in the historical Braga street. ESQI:EF, congratulations for your new album. We wish you all the best. Thank you to all the wonderful performers, Djarum Super and all the crews and sponsors behind this festive event. As now we have seen the re-establishment of Braga street as the center of music, we hope to see more in the future, and in larger scale, may there be more concept like this appearing anywhere else as well. Long live Jazzy Ozzie Sidewalk!
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Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan, Febrian Dirga, Adott Jumbo
Photographer: Eghi Gabred, Febrian Dirga
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