Let’s take a journey back in time.  Swing Big Band has always been a fascinating genre that captures the beauty of music, well..jazz to be exact. It always interests me because by hearing swing, my mind goes back to the early jazz, when it was still a new born baby. Whether in recordings or live session, swing has never failed to put me back in its glorious eras, from the roaring 20’s to the 40’s. Passing the test of time, this vintage genre evolved with the times and somehow still survive until today. Although it’s not the trend anymore, swing is still breathing strong through some great artists around the world. Some have been consistently take this swing road through their career, some have it occasionally. Some have it originally just like how it was in the old days, some invented it with various other syles. No matter what, they have contributed a big deal to keep swing and the big band alive.

The original formation of big band typically consists of a dozen up to 25 musicians, divides into brass sections (saxophones, trumpets, trombones), rhythm sections (drums, piano, bass) and occassionally singers. Due to the amount of musicians include in a band, usually the music played by using charts, well arranged, and leave just small room for improvisations. However, many big bands still give a room to improvise, depends on the conductor’s call. The conductor/dirigent usually has a very big task uniting the whole musicians together, controlling them, keeping them in the same frame so the music can stay in shape. When everything works well, the majestic sound will be heard as the result. Besides that, it’s always interesting to see so many musicians filling up the stage.

Finding a good big band in Indonesia is not that easy though. It’s far from the music trend today, and it might be difficult to collect instrument players to form a big band. Plus, it costs a lot to provide the whole instruments. Therefore I feel happy to see these group of talented musicians still care to bring the glorious swingy big band in an open concert for public. The Salamander Big Band, the pride of Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Some of the musicians included in Salamander Big Band have been achieving their success in their own bands. Name some like Imelda Rosalin, Boyke Priyo Utomo, Edward Presetya, Rudy Zulkarnaen for example.  so it’s really great to see how they leave their egos at the front door, blending together in harmony with the whole musicians presenting the united sound of swing big band.

And that’s what happened on Wednesday night, June 17, 2009 at the beautiful hall of BP Bumi Sangkuriang, Bandung. Salamander Big Band, one of the rare most authentic big band in Indonesia today held their concert, called MID YEAR CONCERT 2009. According to Devy Ferdianto, the conductor and leader of the band, it was one of their 3 months event. And this time it was exactly appeared right in the mid year of 2009. “We want to tell everyone that we are still exist..” Devy said. Yes, Devy, we could see that perfectly tonight, you proved it ellegantly with this concert. No less than 12 songs were prepared for this concert. As Salamander Big Band was established right here, in this very own hall, this concert would surely be special tonight. Right from the entrance the mood was set for this occasion.It was grand, even more when we entered the big hall. Full crowds from all ages filled up the room. I felt happy to see so many youngsters sat there waiting for a swing concert to happen.

And the magical road of swing has officially started! Salamander Big Band started it strong. Very strong that we were dragged right away to the golden era when swing was ruled. Forget everything else, it’s swing time, baby! It was started with a song they called “Sing Sang Sung”, a clever adaptation of the classic Louis Prima song that often most associated with Benny Goodman,“Sing Sing Sing”. The crowds gave big applause for the opening act.  Nenden Shintawati, the phenomenal blind singer, I always like to call her the Indonesian Dianne Schuur came up, and together with the Big Band she sang Duke Ellington’s “In A Sentimental Mood”. It was the bluesy swing rendition, especially through Imelda Rosalin’s delightful bluesy piano playing. Then a vocal duet between Nenden Saraswati and Gail taking on “Deed I Do”. Gail Satiawaki sang the next song beautifully. It was the classic “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square”.

Then, we were taken deeper into the romantic side of swing. For the next song, Imelda Rosalin the pianist moved to the front with her accordion. She delivered “Polka Dots and Moonbeams”. If you remember, “Polka Dots and Moonbeams” was Frank Sinatra’s first hit recorded with Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Back to Imelda, not only playing her accordion,but she sang as well. The crowds loved her. Her sensual sultry voice fitted really well in this beautiful romancing song, plus her sweet accordion play.  It’s not usual to have accordion in big band, as it’s not a common instrument used in big band, but Imelda has successfully “injected” some Parisian feel into this very beautiful smooth swing.

A 15 minutes break came next. The audience went to the buffet taking their meals. But interestingly, some musicians didn’t want to leave the stage empty. A sextet consisted of Imelda Rosalin on vocal/piano, Boyke Priyo Utomo on saxophone, Rudy Zulkarnaen on upright bass, Edward Prasetya on guitar, Augustinus on drums and Brury Effendy on trumpet did a surprising jam on that break. It was a really cool jam, fusing some bop in swing frame with Cole Porter’s classic “Night and Day”. Just as how it used to be in any jam, there were plenty of rooms to improvise. All these high-skilled musicians blasted the stage. The next song was the Disney classic, the Snow White theme “Someday My Prince Will Come” that surprisingly twisted into a whole new style.  Nenden sang this one.

Then Salamander Big Band rolled again. They brought “Let The Good Times Roll” with Gail once again on vocal. The next one was brought fully instrumental. It was taken from Johnny Mercer & David Raskin’s songbook entitled “Laura”. Salamander Big Band continued to swing the night with the swing standard “Just Friend”. This time Imelda Rosalin was on vocal. Then they delivered the heavy beat sexy blues that was popularized by Ella Fitzgerald and also Billie Holiday, “Comes Love”. Nenden’s strong vocal was on. This blind singer performed great as usual. Wide range of vocal, good improvisation and her cool scat ability were shown in every song she sang.

As my eyes browsed the room, I noticed Syaharani, the Indonesian female jazz icon was there among the audience. She had a good time, enjoying this beautiful swing night just like the rest of the audience. Anyway, the next song turned to be the glorious Sinatra’s “Let’s Fall In Love”. The night went by fast though, just as we enjoyed the swing night courtesy of Salamander Big Band, Devy Ferdianto announced the last song. It was the instrumental song “High Maintenance” that closed the show.

What a great night it was in a perfect swing mood, with authentic and real big band formation and arrangements, in a very cozy and beautiful hall. Big thanks to Salamander Big Band and all sponsors that has made this concert free of charge. Through Salamander Big Band, we can be sure that swing will still be alive in years to come in Indonesia. Keep up the good work, guys! Can’t wait to see you again next 3 months.

Brass Sections:
Saxophones:
Alfred Dicky Dixon Ampouw (alto), Joseph Sinaga (alto), Zein Arfah (tenor), Boyke (tenor), Erik Novriansyah Chandra (tenor), Bonny Buntoro (baritone)

Trumpets:
Brury Effendy, Oki Dirgualam, Andri Hadiyono, Issa Tennan Raharjo, Budi Agus Siswanto, Julianus Andreas

Trombones:
Andriyanto Haryanto, Agus Suherman, Azis, Arief Budhyana

Rhythm Sections:
Imelda Rosalin, Rika Andriyani (Piano/Keyboard/Accordeon)
Edward Prasetya (Guitar)
Rudy Zulkarnaen (Contra Bass)
Ari Firman (E. Bass)
Augustinus (Drums)
Henky Supardjan (Drums)

Vocals:
Nenden Shintawati (Vocal)
Imelda Rosalin (Vocal)
Gail Satiawaki (Vocal)

Devy Ferdianto (Conductor)

More Pictures:

Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan
Photographer: Eghi 25

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