SERAMBI JAZZ IV : Tao Kombo Collective Messkeepers and The Sarimanouk Quartet at GoetheHaus Jakarta: Artist Profiles
As we are delighted to see the upcoming Serambi Jazz Fourth Edition, coming soon at GoetheHaus Jakarta (August 13th), here we give the band profiles, including the profile of each member of the bands.
TAO KOMBO COLLECTIVE MESSKEEPERS
The Band members:
Philippe Ciminato (Perkusi)
Dionysus Janapria (gitar)
Donny Sundjoyo (double bass)
Ali Akbar Sugiri (piano, fender rhodes, keys)
Rayendra Sunito (drum)
Tao Kombo Collective Messkeepers is an Jakarta-based instrumental quintet which all the personnel involved are active as session players.
After years of friendship and many collaborations, in 2007 French born percussionist Philippe Ciminato together with Dionysus Janapria (guitar), Donny Sundjoyo (contra bass), Ali Akbar Sugiri (piano, fender rhodes, keyboard) and Rayendra Sunito (drums) decided to formed a band.
Their music is a multi-influenced style and based on improvisation from their originally composed songs. All came from exploring each and every character of the personnel. Tao Kombo currently is preparing their debut album.
Taken from Indonesian Sasak tribe language, “Tao Kombo” means “the place of young coconuts”. In more universal meaning, “Tao Kombo” is an ensemble (“kombo”) which inspired by Taoism philosophy, where all the Elements of Nature join in giving a chance to celebrate human life in harmony.
With these two meaning and balancing concept, the band tries to reflect the beauty of this beautiful principle through their musical creation.
Tao Kombo believes that the combination of learning, creating and performing is sharing. Sharing positive vibes, giving out musics in melodious harmony to everybody. We are all created differently, but can always strong in unity.
Visit their myspace: www.myspace.com/taokombo
Here are the profiles of all members of the band.
Philippe Ciminato
Philippe Ciminato is a percussionist from France. He is a musician came from the new generation that specialized in the tradition of Western Africa, Brazilian and Afro Cuban. Philippe has gone through lots of journey, from Carribean islands to Africa, Europe, South East Asia, China and Australia, both as a student and a performer.
He has performed in many international concert and festival, collaborated with many jazz great such as Lenny Castro, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez, Gerald Albright, Salena Jones, Steve Thornton, Rashidi Pembe, Joe Rosenberg, Kamal Mussalam, Tony Cintron, Lica Cecato, John Hondorp, Antonio Santoro to name a few.
Philippe had the chance to get valuable lesson and knowledge in music by collaborating with the jazz legend Steve Thornton. He also studied with Javier Campos Martinez (of Omar Sosa, Afrekete, Rombabierta) and also had a private lesson from Columbian percussionist, Faiser Flores (of Alfredo de la Fe group, Nestor Torres) and also from Alonso Gonzales (of Kaman Music/LP Endorser, Jazz Latino).
With these tremendous background, we are lucky that Philippe is now based himself in Indonesia. He is currently active as a freelance musician, percussion instructor, and performing/recording regularly with Indonesian artists such as Indra Lesmana, Fariz RM, Idang Rasjidi, Rieka Roeslan, Dwiki Dharmawan, 5 Wanita and many more. He also collaborates with DJs and performs on TV programs.
Besides active with Tao Kombo Collective Messkeepers, he also leads “Rumbateria”, a latin jazz quintet that specialize on Afro-Cuban Jazz compositions. Rumbateria considers as a unique band in Indonesia. His latest work can be found in a recording made in 2009, in a live session quartet entitled “Sada”, which is going to appear soon through Demajors independent music label.
Yudo Nugroho Donny
Better known as Donny Sundjoyo. He started his music activity at the age of 15. He learned the bass from Bintang Indrianto then continued to learn from Indro Hardjodikoro in Jakarta.
Donny joined the workshop “Jazz dan Anda” (Jazz and You) that was presented by Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah at The Regent Hotel, Jakarta (1999-2000). Then he entered Institut Musik Daya, guided by Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah for Prepatory and Degree Program. He started to learn how to play contra bass in there through Karoline Hoefler (Germany), Patrick Olary (USA) and Peter Scherr (Canada). Donny graduated from Institut Musik Daya and got Bachelor Degree majoring in performance in 2006 at the age of 25.
Still quite young, but he is already experienced. He performed with Daya Orchestra, where Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah stood as the conductor, also with Joe Rosenberg Trio, Idang Rasjidi in his famous “Live at Four Season” album, participated at “The 15th Annual International Association of School of Jazz” (IASJ) in Krakow, with Aksan Sjuman Trio, Bobb Quartet, Ruth Sahanaya‘s Christmas Album as the contra bassist of Opustre Big Band, Six Element, the Aksara Compilation “Jazz Masa Kini” and this time with “Sarimanouk Quartet” and “Tao Kombo Collective Messkeepers”.
Dionysus Janapria
Dionysus Janapria graduated from Utrecht, Nederland, majoring guitar instrument. He also recieived Bachelor of Music Arts and Educations from Hageschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht (HKU) in 2004. Dion studied under the guidance of Marcel Karreman, Eef Alberts at HKU Utrecht, and Martijn van Iterson at Amsterdam Conservatory. Besides working as private instructors while he was in Nederland, Dion had also performed at many small and big events. One of those including his performance at 2004 North Sea Jazz Festival in Den Haag. Currently Dion works as a lecturer in Institut Musik Daya Indonesia and also Universitas Pelita Harapan. He also heads the guitar department in Aminoto Kosin’s music school. Beside those activities, he is busy playing in many ensembles and project for various music event, jazz festivals and many more.
Ali Akbar Sugiri
Famously known as the keyboardist of “The Groove”, an acid jazz/pop-danced oriented group, which also became the top of his exsistance. He is amongst the few younger generation of Indonesian musicians that dedicated his life as a complete musician. Born in Bandung 34 years ago, he started to learn organ at the age of 9. Then he started to play piano when he was 15, and decided to use this instrument as his “weapon”.
Together with the widely popular Indonesian band The Groove, Ali has released 4 album. Even in tight schedules with The Groove, Ali still spared some of his time to play as a session player. He also proved his talent as arranger and music producer. His magic touch as an arranger and music producer and also guest star can be found in Andien, Rieka Roeslan, Glenn Fredly, Parkdrive, Maliq & d’Essentials, Humania and Dimi‘s albums.
To strengthen his passion in jazz, Ali focused to go deeper with piano by learning classical piano and also jazz style from Indra Lesmana, Andi Wiriantono and Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah.
Furthermore, Ali formed “Kwartet Jazz Arab” (Arabian Jazz Quartet), “6th Elements Experience” and soon we will see him in the soon to be released “Tao Kombo” debut album, where he will present an extraordinary jazz with modern approach concept. Ali completed his achievements by joining La Moda Band from Nederland, Michelle Lambert from Canada and play latin jazz music with Alonzo Gonzales from Spain. Through these collaborations, Ali gets his shot to perform regularly with international exposure.
As he aware of the importance of formal music education, Ali combined his experience with more education at Institut Musik Daya Indonesia. There he got a new perspective in music composition, arrangement, orchestration and has successfully enriched his skill.
Rayendra Sunito
Born in Jakarta in 1979, Rayendra Sunito is a drummer graduated from Berklee College of Music, Boston MA, USA, majoring in performance in 2004. Before that, he learned music at the International College of Music (Berklee Transfer Programme) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 1999 to 2001 and also at Sekolah Musik Farabi (Farabi Music School) in 1999.
Today, Rayendra Sunito is known as one of the top drummer in Indonesia. His ability helps to establish many groups such as Parkdrive (he is also in charge as the producer), Rieka Roeslan, Sister Duke, Bazzattack, Glenn Fredly Band (also as a band leader), Souleh & Souleha, Humania and now Tao Kombo.
He is also has a lot of activities outside the stage. Rayendra is the head of Gowa Music Indonesia, a label that has released many popular album such as Parkdrive, Soulvibe and Adrian Martadinata. This drummer that has performed with Jeff Kashiwa and a fan of audio engineering and sport is also active as a lecturer at Jakarta Drum School.
THE SARIMANOUK QUARTET
The Band members:
Sandy Winarta (drum)
Julian Abraham Marantika (piano, keys, akordeon)
Donny Sundjoyo (double bass)
Talafaral (saksofon/ piano)
“Manuk” is a sacred bird of Bali. Acording to some historical literature from the 12th century, “Sarimanouk” was a ship that was used by many Indonesian immigrants to reach Madagascar. The band took the name, Sarimanouk, as a reminder for us about this interesting piece of history. The connection to Madagascar is even stronger with Talafaral‘s appearance in the group. Talafaral is a musician comes from Malagasy. He joined together with other Indonesian band members. With this unique composition, the band has big opportunities to find the best music blending that can unite various ideas in one voice, one sound, through their original compositions that always based on jazz modern concept.
The Sarimanouk Quartet was established at the end of 2008, consists of four musicians with the same vision and passion to play modern music, processing themselves to play live music. Their songs are built through each individual’s perspective. They just let their “ego” out when they “jam” and let the music comes out naturally.
As the name Sarimanouk was taken as the effort to unite their musical visions, they use this name to blend in together with a hope that their music can speak universally.
We can’t deny that the Malagasy’s profile was quite similiar to Indonesian and Arabian that had moved there, where some of them were pirates. The influence of Indonesian could be seen on the highlanders, not only physically but also through the way of farming, the tools they used, the method used to catch fish and also hunt. There are similiarities in culture too, if we look at the musical instruments.
The contemporary set of mind is a procedural reflection of enviromental change, where history always move forward creating better society. The composition can show the sign of change in the society. Duke Ellington was someone who always related to Swing Big Band formation. This stereotype changed when “Money Jungle” arrived and resulted recording revolution in Charles Mingus and Max Roach‘s era. We can compare this to Miles Davis, the jazz icon who always created something new with his explorations. What important is, we should always find new mindset to bring music into the new height. This project always tries to bring that spirit, absorbing and evolving it as a part of the effort to make the society grow better.
Talafaral
Pronounce this: Ramiandriosa Faralahiherivolannirina Andrianolazaina. That’s the real and complete name of Talafaral . He was born from a musically talented family, and started to play piano since his young age in Madagascar. After graduated from high school, he choosed saxophone as his main instrument. His 15 years experience in music has brought him to many international music project: “Mifandamoro” (1993), “Harmattan”, “Burkina Faso”, “Groove Suppa” (India, 2005), “Potomac JAzz Project ‘The Scenic Rute’” (2007).
Donny Sundjoyo (as previous)
Julian Abraham Marantika
Julian Abraham Marantika started by learning classical piano when he was 14 year old from Getih Indra Sunaryo. He continued to learn from Benny Likumahuwa on music theory and saxophone. Then he learned jazz piano from Riza Arshad and Krisna Balagita. In 2004 he joined Institut Musik Daya and learned from Tjut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah, Ivonne Atmojo, Sri Aksana Sjuman, Masako Hamamura, Marc Isaac and Jelita Megawati Heru. He graduated in 2007 and received Bachelor of Music in Performance. He has performed in many important events such as Java Jazz Festival 2007 and 2008, Pasar Jazz 2006 and New Conservative Trio presenting his own compositions. Some of his projects including “Jazz Masa Kini”, the Aksara Record compilation, Ricki Lionardi Big Band in Ruth Sahanaya‘s Christmas Album in 2006, and “Dunia Mereka” OST (2005).
Sandy Winarta
Sandy Winarta is a native Balinese talent. He started with piano, joined some groups and got some achievements as the best pianist in many Bali music festivals. Later he turned as a drummer, when he registered at the Institute of Music in Sydney Australia, and graduated as a Bachelor in Music Performance in 2006. When he returned to Indonesia, he played in many kinds of concert, from small to big size orchestra. Besides playing on stage, Sandy is also active as a lecturer at Institut Musik Daya Indonesia, teaching Music Improvisation, Major and Jazz Ensemble.
visit their myspace: www.myspace.com/sarimanoukquartet
SAVE THE DATE!
Date: Thursday, August 13, 2009
Time: 07:30 PM – 10.00 PM WIB (Jakarta Local Time)
Place: Goethe-Institut Jakarta
Jalan Sam Ratulangi No. 9-15
Menteng, Jakarta Pusat, 10350
FREE OF CHARGE!
For more info and media reservation, please contact :
Devi 0815-8811-760
Andi 08161977776
or email: roullandi@yahoo.com
BE THERE, DON’T MISS IT!
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