KlabJazz’ Jazz Break Revival XI : The Report

Submitted by Riandy K on May 6, 2009 – 9:20 pmNo Comment

Another magical night has happened once again tonight. This time it was KlabJazz’ Jazz Revival XI. For me, as well as for some regular audience who come in each KlabJazz‘ Jazz Break Revival every month, this should be one of the most friendliest atmosphere for watching a jazz concert. Imagine watching great talents delivering their skills on stage in a very cozy and relaxing room for free. It’s always like a gathering between musicians and audience, the artists and their fans without boundary. The friendliness, the togetherness, without any border or limitation, all enjoying jazz while sailing the night away.. it’s really like that. This is the kind of regular event that will always be remembered for life. I’m sure one day we will still remember this regular event for every great thing Jazz Break Revival has given us.

It’s really great to see how Jazz Break Revival has come so far. KlabJazz has grown better and stronger, as in this 11th edition we saw a very interesting lineups, unbelievable for a free event. It was a solid and strong lineups I must say. KlabJazz in collaboration with Melinda Hosital and Balai Pertemuan Bumi Sangkuriang, where the event was held, presented one of the most interesting Jazz Break Revival so far. Heavy lineups including Boyke Priyo Utomo Project including Imelda Rosalin, Rudy Zulkarnain and Arief Fandi, Farah Di along with senior musicians Glen Dauna, Jeffrey Tahalele, Cendy Luntungan, Arief Setiadi and Kadek Rihardika, Notturno, the new jazz sensation trio who was just released their debut album, Kanggep/Aldhiella and a superb pianist/accordionist and singer, Tiwi Shakuhachi. Again, imagine these lineups for free. How crazier could it be?

The show was opened by a beautiful acoustic duo, Kanggep and Aldiella. It was their first reunion in 2 years, and they gave a sweet opening. What a nice start to welcome everybody They set our mood perfectly to enjoy tonight’s concert. Kanggep Kusuma (guitar) and Aldhiella (vocal) brought a nice acoustic jazz with some touch of funk in 3 songs, “Better Than Anything”, “Lullaby Of Bir Land” and “My Funny Valentine”.

The second performer was a new jazz sensation trio from Jakarta, Notturno. The name was taken from Italian phrase means “dark night”. They just released their brand new album, Volume 1: Akoustika Adventure a couple of weeks ago (see the launching party here). The band consists of trio Joshua Arifin (contra bass), Cak Hend (drums/percussions) and Masmo (piano, fender rhodes, analogues and organ). They showed solid performance tonight that was enjoyed by the audience. It was really nice to hear their music, fusing many music elements harmoniously in jazz. We got some bop, experimental/free jazz and so on. Very clever and creative style of music with most of the song they played tonight were composed by themselves, originally. It’s a music for free minded jazz lovers in stunning exploration and improvisation. They brought the songs taken from their debut album such as “Red Moon (The Antithesis of Blue Moon)”, “For Hendi”, “La La La La”, the classic “Bluesette” and “Jiro”, their song taken from Pintu Terlarang OST. For their performance tonight they got help from the additional player Yudha Gautama (saxophone) and their executive producer, Iman Budi Santoso on harmonica. Brilliant.

Then it was another sensational talent appeared. Farah Dibaj Fuadi, the full name of Farah Di is a very young singer with remarkable voice. She has a really great vocal control and concentration for someone her age, still 12 years old this year. She has released her album “Merah Biru” (Red Blue) at the end of 2008 which fully supported by important senior jazz musicians like Ireng Maulana, Cendy Luntungan, Hendry Lamiri, Hari Wisnu, Mates and many more. (see the review of her album here). She’s gifted with pure and strong vocal, clear pronounciation and perfect jazz tone in her vocal, making her as one of the rare diamond in Indonesian music scene that doesn’t come every day. Tonight Farah Di was accompanied by senior ensemble, including Glen Dauna (piano), Jeffrey Tahalele (acoustic upright bass), Cendy Luntungan (drums), Arief Setiadi (saxophone) and Kadek Rihardika (guitar). Farah’s performance was opened by instrumental from the senior ensemble, playing the classic “L.O.V.E”. Farah appeared on stage and stunned the audience. What an unbelievable voice with great control by a little girl with that very young age. She brought some of the songs taken from her debut album “Merah Biru” such as “Lari Pagi (Jogging)”, “Merah Biru (Red Blue) and “Pesisir Pantai (The Shore)”. She also sang some classic jazz songbook like “Beyond The Sea”, “One Note Samba”, “Hello Dolly”, and a very popular song of The Beatles, “Hey Jude”. A young jazz talent like her don’t come every year, maybe not even in every generation. It was sensational.

The night went on as the other performer rose on stage. It was the time for Tiwi Shakuhachi and friends showing what they got. An amalgamation of Parahyangan valley‘s exoticism with the charm of jazz improvisations, that is Tiwi Shakuhachi’s musical persona. She’s a great piano and accordion player who can also sing. Tonight she didn’t bring her accordion though, she only played piano and sing, along with Chaka Priambudi (bass), Ganggeng Yudhana (guitar) and Areza (drums). Tiwi’s singing style and piano playing reminded me of Eliane Elias. She played mostly in bossa nova with some touch of swing, delivering songs we all know such as “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise”, Luis Bonfa’s classic “Samba de Orfeu” and “Frenesi”.

The Jazz Break Revival XI closed by the last performer, Boyke Priyo Utomo Project. Boyke Priyo Utomo was introduced to jazz at his very young age, now become one of the senior saxophonist in Indonesia. He brought “Beautiful Love”, “Inner Urge”, Duke Elington’s “Isfahan”, and “Recordane”. Eventhough he admit he didn’t have time to practice with the other personnels, what he delivered together with the band was stunning. It felt like Coltrane was alive again on stage through his play. The band consists of Imelda Rosalin (piano), Arief Fandi/Ari Aru (drums), Rudy Zulkarnaen/Rudy Aru (acoustic upright bass).

It was absolutely one of the best Jazz Break Revival so far. It’s a wonder how a remarkable event with friendly concept and heavy lineups full of talents like this could be a completely free of charge. Great atmosphere, great music, great list of talents. I also felt happy to see that the majority of the audience were youngsters. It’s a great sign for the life of jazz in Indonesia. Not only attending, but I could see signs of satisfaction through their faces. Bravo to KlabJazz for making this regular monthly free event, and we surely look forward to next month’s event!

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