So much more than my expectation! That’s what I think after the show ended. Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover 2009 was told as a very unique show and promised to give you a new experience in music, and yes, they were absolutely right. Brilliant idea, well prepared stage scenes,cool big screen animation,solid set of artists and interesting song selections, all these ingredients were blended perfectly and blasted as an unforgettable show as the result. It was unbelievable extravaganza never before seen. As how it surprised the audience in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, the same thing happened in Bandung, West Java.

Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover 2009 last night in Bandung was the second round of the 5 cities tour. The tagline for this year is “Music you know with a twist”, and it was absolutely true. Some of the most talented artists were there showing what they could do best, joining forces together for 3 hours. After waiting for about an hour, the show was finally started. Humania came first to open the show. It’s been wonderful to see Humania again in Bandung. Eki (Eq) Puradiredja, the lead vocalist of Humania came on stage along with the other two main personnel of Humania, Redyanto Heru Nurcahyo (Heru) (keyboard) and Lawrence (Larry) Aswin (flute and sequencer). A full interesting ensemble, the Crossover Band, backed them up on stage in a very unique formation. Rayendra Sunito on drums, Ali Akbar and Doni Joesran on keyboards, Andrie Bayuadjie on guitar, Adjirao on percussions Bonar Abraham on guitar, Mohammad Abdullah Aziz on sax and backing vocal, Mila Amelia and Dira as the other two backing vocals, DJ Cream and last but not least Pradana Rizky (Dana) the rapping MC was there on stage back and forth, as how he would do until the end of the show. Fresh Humania with the new modern style was perfect for the opening. Their music raised the audience’s mood level up to make all of us ready for the show. The crossover between the delicious ambient nu jazz, acid jazz, funk and some reggae shaped their songs. Humania brought some of their hits such as “Jelita”, “Adinda”, and “Bersama” before they brought one of their new songs from the upcoming new album, “Assalamualaikum”. Then they continued with “Lepas Kendali” and closed their performance with their all time biggest hit: “Terserah”.

DJ Cream went on right away with mixing some classic jazz/funk/disco songs from 70’s into the 90’s. Some of the songs included Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music”, Shalamar’s “Night To Remember”, Kool & The Gang’s “Get Down On It” , Madonna’s “Holiday”, Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much” and closed with “Jamiroquai’s “Love Fool”. Dira came on stage together with Dana taking on a classic Yarbrough & Peoples song, “Don’t Stop The Music”. Dira’s voice was absolutely great. Her power, her control, her techique, all were amazing. No wonder she was recruited by Incognito’s Bluey as she’s going to London to perform with Incognito next month. Dira continued with “American Boy” that was popular through Estelle ft Kanye West. Then it was time to slow down the beat. Dira and Ali Akbar on keyboard brought a very romantic version of “My Funny Valentine”. The last song Dira sang was her own song named “Bring It On”. Alongside Dira were some of the members of Crossover band.

It was time to have a serious twist. A sinden (Javanese traditional singer) named Yuyun opened up Ari Lasso’s peformance. The crowds popped when Ari Lasso entered the stage with Edwin, the guitarist of Cokelat. They delivered Ari Lasso’s hit “Mana Kutahu”, Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” and one of the most interesting twist of the night, an acid jazz version of another Ari Lasso’s hit: “Hampa”.  Nice brass sections by helped this song to be more n style. The rockin’ side continue with the man with an unbelievable vocal range, Candil. He sang Run DMC/Aerosmith’s signature song, “Walk This Way” interestingly with showing how high he could reach the upper note. What an incredible voice.

Enough for rock for a while, as the beautiful Lala came on stage. Lala is an amazing singer/songwriter that has reached her popularity in Philippines and now is starting to get attention by the music lovers in Indonesia.  This candy sweet half Philippines half Indonesian sang her single “What About You” as the opening for her performance. She continued with the sweet and slow version of Radiohead’s “High and Dry”. This one was on together with a nice contemporary dance by two ladies. Lala got her guitar and opened the first verse of George Michael’s “Faith” which then carried together with Candil. Another interesting twist again.

Andi/rif, one of the artist who was also in the first Urban Jazz Crossover last year continued the show. He sang U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” together with Dana the rapper and a seriosa singer named Daniel. It was another interesting twist of a song. Imagine a rocker, a rapper and a seriosa singer in a swingy style. The twist got even crazier as Andi/rif sang Rihanna’s “Umbrella”. Who could imagine that Andi/rif would be the one who sing this one? It was unpredictable. Some sexy dancers were there with umbrellas making the show hotter. These sexy dancers (Urban Jazz Dancers and Jazz Dancers) were also be seen with almost every performers from the start to finish. Andi/rif continued with the fresh swingy version of “Raja” and then Coldplay’s song: “Clocks”. Again, Daniel’s stunning seriosa voice made this song sounded really different. Another interesting twist. Andi/rif seemed to be experienced in jazz. He could take heavy jazz version of songs without problem. His stage act was also fun to see.

Candil back again, this time delivering a comedy version of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”. He wore Michael Jackson’s famous red jacket, wig and glasses. Beat It was done with a heavy rock version and a little jazz layer at the base. Dana was there too making the song even more twisted than it has already been. It was hillarious, thinking of the song that taken from the version of Warkop, one of the legendary comedy group in Indonesia.

The last performer came on stage. It was Glenn Fredly. He sang Radiohead’s “Creep” together with the sinden, Yuyun. Creep was delivered in latin style. Then he sang Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff”. In the middle of the song, he called Andi/rif and sang it together, also with Dana. The show reached the end with the last song, Sheila Madjid’s “Sinaran”. All performers came on stage thanking the audience.

Jazz has proved itself as a big genre that can collaborate in harmony with almost any different genres all through the history. Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover 2009 has given us some interesting tastes about it. Unique ingredients, many twists in many layers, the blending of styles as you might never seen before, and all packed with nice stage acts with well prepared show. Everything was perfectly done. Also don’t forget the seriously clever new arrangements in every songs. In just 2 years Urban Jazz Crossover has emerged to be this big, I wonder how it’s going to be in years to come.

There’s no harm for jazz at all with this kind of brilliant creativity, in fact I believe this will contribute a lot for the future of jazz in Indonesia. We can see that there are many alternatives to bring jazz up in front, engaging them with many different musics, genres and styles. As music is dynamic, so does jazz, we can’t deny that it will always grow with many new things all the time. That’s how music is, that’s how jazz also should be. Big applause for Dji Sam Soe with Eq Puradiredja as the music director and to everybody who has worked so hard for making this unbelievable new experience becomes reality. Next stop will be in Semarang, next Friday, May 15, 2009 at Horison Hotel, then the tour will continue to visit Jakarta on May 22, 2009 at The Ritz Carlton Pacific Place, and then will be finished in Surabaya, May 29 May 2009 at The Empire Palace. For you who live in (or near) Semarang, Jakarta and Surabaya, make sure you don’t miss this very unique event. Feel the new experience in jazz, feel the new sensation, feel the new atmosphere, feel the amazing creativity, feel the twist you have never imagined, and most of all, enjoy the show.

Check out the complete schedule and ticket price here

See more pictures here:

Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan, Adott Jumbo
Photographer: Eghi 25

Popularity: 43% [?]

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• Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover 2009
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• Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover 2009: Surabaya Press Conference