UGM Jazz 2009 featuring JavaJazz, Barry Likumahuwa Project ft Benny Likumahuwa, Syaharani, Ello and Bertha: The Report
More than 2000 audiences entered the Grha Sabha Pramana (GSP) Gadjah Mada University (UGM). They tried to find the most strategic seats to enjoy their idols’ performance. Last night, December 15, 2009 at 07:30 PM Western Indonesian Standard Time, a very special concert was held featuring a supergroup who just recently made their return, JavaJazz, the fast-rising bassist with a very chunky groove Barry Likumahuwa and his band Barry Likumahuwa Project, the all time Indonesian female jazz icon Syaharani, the senior singer Bertha and the cool RnB male vocalist Ello. They were all ready to blast Jogjakarta with their stunning skills.
The concert started with Barry Likumahuwa Project playing their opening song “My Prayers”. Barry Likumahuwa (electric bass) together with Doni Joesran (keyboard), Dennis Junio (sax), Henry Budidharma (guitar), Jonas Wang (drums) and Matthew Sayersz (vocal) gave a great performance with funky and chunky groove, that successfully set the audience’s mood to enjoy the rest of the show. Barry was very energic and grabbed the attention with his stunning slapping skill, making the crowds moved their bodies following the rhythm he made on stage. Barry called their music as jazz rock, where most of the progressions move towards the groovy side of funk-fusion. They managed to bring all the audiences into such a jazz atmosphere that you don’t find often in a big hall like GSP.
Playing Joshua Redman’s “Jazz Crime”, Matthew, Barry, Dennis and Hendry stood in straight horizontal line, giving out a rather complex melody in perfect harmony. They all are still young, full with potentials and proved how jazz is always said to be a very open, democratic and universal. Barry invited his dad, the senior trombonist Benny Likumahuwa to joined his group on stage, and then we saw a very fluid cross generation performance. It was emotionally stunning. Benny played patiently, preparing enough passing for Barry to response on “Scholastica”. Here, the 26 year old bassist gave unison scat while playing his bass. Benny answered it by giving nice and clean improvisation. Benny even did some cool experiments with his trombone.
Bertha entered the stage and sang “My Funny Valentine”. Benny gave a sweet touch with harmonica on this song. Followed by another song, “Sweet Georgia Brown”, Bertha showed her deep and powerful bluesy vocal ability. On Solo session, Bertha and Benny exchanged scat to each other, pouring all the notes and melodies from their mouth. It was really amazing. Bertha called her daughter, Jasmine McCarthy to sing Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Just Like a Star” that was backed by Barry Likumahuwa. Closing their session, Barry called Ello on stage. With his signature voice style, Ello and Barry Likumahuwa Project brought the re-arrangement of Oasis‘ “Wonderwall”, this time appearing as a juicy fusion. The crowds sang together on the reffrain conducted by Ello. Ello’s hits “Pergi Untuk Kembali” and “Gadisku” were next, delivered in a slight reggae touch. Barry Likumahuwa Project ended it up with their hit single “Mati Saja”. This song hypnotized the audiences. That was all about the groove.
The next session was opened by Syaharani and Donny Suhendra, taking the ESQI:EF’s newest single, the smooth, soft and cozy song called “Anytime”. They followed by Karimata band’s collection entitled “Rainy Days and You”, a song that was originally sang by Phil Perry more than a decade ago. Dewa Budjana took part on this song. What a vocal masterclass by the Indonesian female jazz icon, Syaharani.
The light went off. The guitarists Donny Suhendra and Dewa Budjana who were already stood on stage now got accompanied by Indra Lesmana (keyboard, hammond, rhodes, electric pianica and CME), AS Mates (fretless bass) and Gilang Ramadhan (drums). And that was a clear sign for JavaJazz to perform! Just several days ago JavaJazz made their strong return on the music scene through a memorable concert at Taman Ismail Marzuki (check out the full report here), now it was time for them to show their stunning skills and chemistry in front of the Jogjakarta’s audience. The first song was opened by Budjana’s clean solo with his specific licks. “The Seeker” and “I Wish” came and blasted Jogjakarta’s night right away. The audiences stunned to see the world class performance from these 5 maestros. Mates and Gilang built a beautiful connection with each other to keep the rhythm. Their bassline guarded Indra Lesmana and Dewa Budjana’s powerful and attractive plays. Indra’s improvisation through his Hammond was like an open invitation for the audience to enter the wild and imaginative but poetic and explorative world of melody.
On the third song, Indra gave out a melodious solo part with electric piano. The melodies streamed beautifully, it was undescribable. In the end, Mates did his amazing solo improvisation with his fretless bass. Indra kept on going with “Borderline” and “Exit Permit”, still filled them both with stunning improvisations. Budjana followed with his touch on electric, acoustic guitar and also banjo. Donny Suhendra and Mates attractively kept on doing their improvisations. Some surprising rhythm appeared through Gilang Ramadhan on drums. Sometimes the song was like on 6/8, but then it suddenly changed into 4/4, vice versa. Gilang did a marvelous job. The way he hit the drum was felt like a steady tempo on a sequencer. What a world class performance that we didn’t see often.
Next, their brand new song, the title track of their most recent album “Joy Joy Joy” became the playground of each and every personnel of JavaJazz. They kept going freely but still connected with each other to keep the base. The closing track was “Bulan di Atas Asia”, the masterpiece of JavaJazz that contains a rich oriental nuance with a little Sundanese taste. Budjana strengthen it with his banjo playing. Indra kept everything interesting on this song with his keyboard touch that sounded a bit like shakuhachi. What a glorious ending, Asia style! Mates and Gilang were superb on guarding the rhythm. With that song, the 4 hours straight concert reached the end.
What an outstanding performance by our own maestros, presented in a clear and specific color and spectacular. It was filled with high quality, something that we don’t find often lately in the pop-oriented world we live in. JavaJazz and the rest of the performers last night has clearly proven that jazz is not just a music and melody but the life itself.
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Reporter: Bawien Lilaning Panggalih
Photographer: Rachma Harijanto
Editor: Riandy Kurniawan
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