Since 2009 we have been spoiled by series of two monthly quality jazz performances at GoetheHaus Jakarta. It’s a part of Serambi Jazz, a program that has set to refresh the mutual friendship between two big nations, Germany and Indonesia through music, in this case, jazz. Having the curator/music director Riza Arshad behind the wheel shows that this program means quality, and that’s crucial considering all the important mission carried by Serambi Jazz. The progress so far has been great. Not only now we have a good choice to learn more about jazz through concerts and workshops, but we can also see some of the best jazz talents of Indonesia and Germany.

The mutual friendship between these two nations in jazz was started in 1967 by Joachim Berendt‘s visit to Indonesia to meet Suyoso Karsono, the owner of Irama Records. Amused by the talents of Indonesian jazzers, he quickly suggested them to perform at Berlin Jazz Festival. It was a historical moment when Indonesian All Star (Jack Lesmana, Maryono, Bubi Chen, Jopie Chen and Benny Mustafa van Diest) stunned Berlin with their progressive jazz approach blended with the mystical nuance of ethnics. From there, they went on making a record in Germany that listed as one of the most important milestone in Indonesian jazz history called “Djanger Bali.” It was started big, and now the future of this important relationship is in the hand of Serambi Jazz. As the time goes on, we can clearly see that it’s growing nicely. The friendhsip in music flourishes again, and the concerts grabbed amazing responses as we see growing number of crowds in each serie.  Serambi Jazz is still in its second year, but looking at the success so far we can’t help but wonder how big it will become years to come.

Entering the fasting month in August, Serambi Jazz comes again. This time Serambi Jazz presents Mery Kasiman Project. Mery Kasiman is a brilliant pianist who also highly talented as a music arranger with bright future. Her sharp instinct can make the music sounds differently. Through the instrumentation and her arrangement technique we can hear the different format of sounds focusing on the beauty of composition itself.

Mery Kasiman was born in Jakarta on November 29, 1982. She started learning piano since 7 years old and continued to study the classical at Yayasan Pendidikan Musik under the guidance of Aning Katamsi and Sutikaryani Muktidarmi. Later she got interested in non classical piano play and went on learning it with Andi Putra, Krisna Balagita and then had improvisation learning under Benny Likumahuwa and Andi Wiriantono.

Mery signed herself at Institut Musik Daya and had some of the best masterclass teacher including Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah, Aksan Sjuman, Jelia Megawati Heru, Masako Hamamura, Peter Scher, Denise Jannah, John Handorp and many more. She graduated holding a Master degree focusing in arrangement and orchestration subjects. Right now she involves as keyboardist or pianist in some music project such as Aksan Sjuman and The Committee of the Fest, Anda with the Joints and Iwan Hasan Chamber Jazz. Besides those activities she’s also active as a copyist and movie scorer orchestrator, Aksan and Titi Sjuman.

At Serambi Jazz Mery Kasiman will show his stunning exploration on jazz with her own compositions. She will bring the big band formation unlike what you’ve seen before. Besides brass, she will place woodwind in front, because she wants to let clarinet and flute appear more dominant than the saxophone. For this occasion Mery also has rearranged Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane‘s works. “There are many great works of Monk and Coltrane but we rarely played. So I want to bring them this time.” she said.

Mery Kasiman Project features big cast ensembles. Check this out. There will be some of the best jazz musicians from different generations joining her including Riza Arshad, Arief Setiadi, Boyke Priyo Utomo, Eugene Bounty, Sandy Winarta, Indrawan Tjhin, Ali Akbar, Robert Mulyarahardja, Enggar Widodo and many more. She will also bring Dewa Budjana and Barry Likumahuwa as the guest stars.

As Serambi Jazz hopes to be the learning ground of culture and a place to appreciate good quality jazz, also set as an event that can complete all the jazz events in Indonesia especially in Jakarta, the presentation of Mery Kasiman is something not to be missed. Mark your calendar and be there.

Serambi Jazz Presents: Mery Kasiman Project (August 2010 Edition)

Featuring:
Mery Kasiman (piano, composer)
Indrawan Tjhin (bass)
Robert Mulyarahardja (guitar)
Ali Akbar Sugiri (piano)
Harmoniadi (trumpet)
Wisnu Fajar (trumpet)
Enggar Widodo (trombone)
Widiyekso (trombone)
Boyke Priyo Utomo (tenor sax)
Eugene Bounty (clarinet)

Guest Stars:
Riza Arshad (keyboard)
Barry Likumahuwa (bass)
Dewa Budjana (guitar)
Arief Setiadi (alto sax)

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2010
Time: 7:30 pm-onwards (standard western Indonesian time)
Location: GoetheHaus Jakarta
Jl. Sam Ratulangi 9-15, Menteng, Jakarta

FREE ENTRY (limited seats)

For more info, please contact: +62 21 23550208, ext. 116

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