Yesterday, Wednesday May 20,2009 there was Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover Press Conference held at Ballroom of Ritz Carlton Pacific Place Hotel, Jakarta. Jakarta is the 4th city that is going to have a blasting music vaganza that blends jazz with many, many urban genres. Three cities had witnessed the sensation and new experience of this event. Medan (May 1), Bandung (May 8), Semarang (May 15), and now it’s going to blast Jakarta (May 22) before it goes to Surabaya (May 29).

This press conference was opened by MC Jill van Diest, a famous presenter that we see often on a TV program in the morning. Just as in the other previous cities, the conference was hosted by Stephanus L Kurniadi (Dji Sam Soe Brand Manager) and Eki (Eq) Puradiredja, the music director. They both said that this year’s Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover is bigger and merrier compared to the first one last year. It could be seen by the huge reaction from the audience that went beyond their expectation. We all could also see it through a video documentary from the previous 3 cities. As seen on the video, an audience who got interviewed even said that this should be a festival, because one night only is not enough.

After the video, Eki Puradiredja said that Jakarta is a special city for the event, because there will be more musicians and songs to come. The duration will be longer as well. That’s why the ticket price is a bit higher than the price in other cities. “It’s not easy to present various musicians in many different genres, blending them in unity presenting the whole new experience of music.” Eki said. But for the musicians, this is a wonderful new challenge, and they are more than ready to deliver something new for Urban Jazz Crossover. That has proven perfectly through their fabulous performances in 3 cities. But once again, there will be more new things for Jakarta. The audience in Jakarta always demands something new, therefore there will be more new arrangements this time. “It’s going to be about 22 songs this time.” Eki said.

Dji Sam Soe’s brand manager Stephanus said they are always willing to push Indonesian music forward to the front. This event shows how serious their support is. Making a unique event with new concept like this established them as a brand that is commited to support Indonesian music, especially Jazz. He also said, if this event could continue to happen annualy with huge response from the audience, it would be possible to turn this event into a festival. But of course there will be many things and aspects to think over. Slowly but surely this event is going to be bigger. Last year the first Urban Jazz Crossover was held on cafes, but this year it’s presented at bigger venues. There’s a possibility that next year it’s going to be delivered in even bigger venues, like stadium for example.

This Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover Press Conference also gave a music performance to give a little taste of what will happen this Friday (May 22). Urban Jazz Crossover Allstars performed together with Dira Sugandi delivering Bluey Incognito’s song in thick acid jazz taste. This song is going to be available in Dira’s album that hopefully will be released this year. For the next song, Andi/rif came in front singing Rihanna’s hit: “Umbrella”. The reporters from various kinds of medias asked him to sing another song, and surprisingly he agreed. He sang U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday” in a style I never imagined before. Just like a totally new song. Wonderful twist. Wow! I really can’t wait for Friday.

A question was asked to Andi/rif, what’s the difference between exploring jazz and rock like how he used to with his band, /rif. Andi said when he was with /rif, he had to bring at least 5 microphones, so he could throw some of them to the floor and broke them. He could also open his shirt and made many “crazy” actions, but when he’s in jazz he could feel a whole new experience that gives him a slight fresh breath of attitude. He doesn’t need to bring many microphones, also it’s more relaxing.

Before the Press Conference ended, they reminded again that you all can buy the ticket online with the price of IDR 75.000, with great buy one get one offer. Or you can buy the ticket right at the venue, the Ballroom of Ritz Carlton Pacific Place Hotel. The ticket booth will start to open since 5 pm.

Once again, it’s goint to be fantastic. This event will surely bring you an unforgettable new experience. A very wild journey to explore many layers of jazz along with various genre crossovers. Make sure you don’t miss this event!

Lineups:
Ari Lasso
Glenn Fredly
Andi/rif
Humania
Dira J Sugandi
Lala
Candil
Edwin “Cokelat”
Reza Arnanda Putra (DJ Cream)
Dana (rapper)
Yuniati/Yuyun (sinden)
Daniel Christianto (seriosa)

Featuring:
Rayendra Sunito (Parkdrive) on drums
Bonar Abraham (Glenn Fredly) on acoustic & electric bass
Ali Akbar Sugiri (the Groove) on keyboard 1
Doni Joesran (Sister Duke) on keyboard 2
Andrie Bayuadjie (Kahitna) on guitar
Adjirao (Wachdach band) on percussions
Larry Aswin (Sova) on sequencer & flute
Donny Koeswinarno (Pitoelas Big Band) on tenor saxophone
Boyke Priyo Utomo on saxophone
Enggar Widodo (Pitoelas Big Band) on trombone
Gatut Santoso (Pitoelas Big Band) on trumpet
Mohammad Abdullah Aziz (Souleh & Soulehah) on alto sax & backing vocal
Mila Amelia (Ari Lasso) as backing vocal
Pradana Rizky (Boogieman) MC/rapper

Where and When:
MEDAN – 1.May.09
JW Marriot Hotel

BANDUNG – 8.May.09
Auditorium Hall Sasana Budaya Ganesha

SEMARANG – 15.May.09
Horison Hotel

JAKARTA – 22.May.09
The Ritz Carlton Pacific Place

SURABAYA – 29.May.09
The Empire Palace

The event will start at 20:00 PM WIB (Jakarta Local Time) – onwards.

The ticket price is IDR 75.000 for Jakarta , and it can be cheaper than that if you buy it online, using Buy 1 Get 1 Program. Buy it from this link: BUY 1 GET 1 PROGRAM

See more pictures here:

For more info, log on to Dji Sam Soe Urban Crossover 2009 official website

Call number: 0800 1 DSS 234

Reporter: Titis Sapto Raharjo

Editor: Riandy Kurniawan

Popularity: 33% [?]

Related Posts:

• Dji Sam Soe URBAN JAZZ CROSSOVER 2009 : Surabaya Report
• Dji Sam Soe Urban Jazz Crossover 2009: Surabaya Press Conference
• Dji Sam Soe URBAN JAZZ CROSSOVER 2009 : Jakarta Report
• Dji Sam Soe URBAN JAZZ CROSSOVER 2009 : Bandung Report
• Short Interview with Candil and Andi/rif