Melinda Christmas Jazz : The Report
Ho, Ho, Ho, Christmas is finally here! This is the season of joy that would lighten our hearts with the warmth of love. People around the world celebrate it in many ways. From Christmas trees with blinking colorful lights, presents, candies, to dinner and of course musics, all are used to make the best of this joyous season. Christmas is the time of thanksgiving and appreciation, it’s a time when love, sharing and smiles abound and are exchanged among everyone without exception. And that spirit of Christmas was sent by Melinda Hospital to all the patients, those who are waiting to deliver their babies and to everyone who came to the concert in general. Besides fulfilling their wishes to celebrate Christmas with everyone, Melinda Christmas Jazz was also made as an appreciation and compliment to all the patients who choose Melinda Hospital as their trusted place to give birth and to be healed.
Melinda Christmas Jazz is the 4th concert presented by Melinda Hospital through the year of 2009. It was started in February with “Grand Jazz Valentine”, then followed by “Grand Jazz Kartini” as a tribute to a national Indonesian female heroine. Several months later Melinda Hospital celebrated its 5th Anniversary with a Jazz Concert and now, the stage was fully set for Christmas. It delighted our heart to see that jazz has been spread rapidly all through the year. Not only in stages, halls or stadiums, but jazz has successfully entered some unlikely places with good results. And making series of jazz events at the hospital is one of the perfect example how jazz has the ability to reach the hearts of everyone. Who knows, some might even be healed with the music, or at least the mothers-to-be would be relaxed with the sweet and smooth jazz that came from the lobby.
The concept of this 3 monthly event was built by Art & Culture Department and the Corridor Gallery of Melinda Hospital. It just strengthen the unique concept of Melinda Hospital. It was planned to be different than any other hospitals from the beginning. It was all set to fit the standard of 5 star hotel style, complete with cafes, art gallery, stores and everything else that you may find in the lobby of luxurious 5 star hotel. Two baby grand pianos placed at the lobby, right in front of the entrance shows that music will always be a part of Melinda Hospital as well.
It was fantastic. Right after we stepped into the lobby, we could already feel the spirit of Christmas through the lovely white Christmas tree, other decorations and music, jazz style. The lineups for the final concert for this year was made very special. 
Still conducted by the senior pianist Imelda Rosalin, all musicians for tonight was selected carefully. We got the combination between seniors and their juniors, across generations, all the best players in every lines, those who know how to give out their best to entertain people. Venche Manuhutu, the proud dad of the newest wonderkid David Manuhutu was ready to perform together with his son. It was a big news for us since Venche hasn’t been active on stages for quite a while. We also got Rudy Zulkarnaen, one of the best bassist in Bandung, the complete guitarist Edward Prasetya, senior trumpeter Brury Effendi, the amazing percussionist Sankis were all on the lineups. We also got Nenden Shintawati and Grace Sahertian on vocals, and last but not least the music director Imelda Rosalin was also acted as playing musician (accordeon and acoustic piano) and singer. Two senior names that weren’t on the list were also presented, Trisno on clarinet and the vocalist Iwan Zein. It was a pretty lineup that could guarantee the quality of the event at its best.
The concert started with a very swingy version of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Imelda Rosalin led on piano and vocal, Trisno on clarinet, Rudy Zulkarnaen on bass, Edward Prasetya on guitar, Sankis on percussion and Brury Effendi on trumpet. The little girl Eva, the daughter of the senior drummer Budiono then charmed everyone’s heart with her cute voice. The mood then changed to romantic when “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
was brought through Iwan Zein’s smooth baritone vocal. Nenden Shintawati, the Indonesian Diane Schuur came forward and sang “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” with lovely arrangement.
Grace Sahertian the vocalist of Palm From Moodytunes replaced Nenden and sang “Just A Closer Walk With Me”. The senior guitarist Venche Manuhutu played his acoustic guitar for this song. As Venche’s family is really a jazz family, another son of Venche, the younger brother of David named Ezra joined the band with flute. Itw was amazing to see a young kid at his age able to join the senior musicians perfectly. Grace continued with the famous “The Christmas Song” and followed with another cool swinging Christmas classic from 1934, “Winter Wonderland”. The wonderkid David Manuhutu was on piano along with his father on guitar. All along these previous 3 songs we were happy to see Venche Manuhutu back on stage again with his cool guitar style. We hope Venche will appear more often on stage.
Right after the 10 minutes break, the band came back again, this time with the duet of Nenden and Iwan Zein taking on the ever lovely “White Christmas”. Iwan continued with “The First Noel” to make the hospital felt even cozier. Nenden took over the mike from Iwan and sang “Blue Christmas”. David Manuhutu and Imelda Rosalin were both playing together with each baby grand piano. Trisno went on improvising just like he did on the other previous songs.
All the vocalist gathered together including Imelda Rosalin and continued swinging with more Christmas carols. This time it was “Jingle Bells” that was brought in very playful style. It was wonderful as it successfully entertained everyone in the room. “It’s time to bring you all up to the mountain”, Imelda said. It was a sign to have the traditional “Go Tell It On A Mountain” with a little blues style. Iwan continued the concert with “Oh Holy Night”. Nenden replaced him once again with “Silver Bells.” The last song to close the whole concert was of course the all time favorite “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” that was brought gloriously. All musicians and singers gathered together and wish everyone a Merry Jazzy Christmas.
Christmas brings a message of hope, a wish for peace and love for everyone. And it was presented perfectly by Melinda Hospital to everyone by using jazz as the main meal. We extend our thanks and appreciation to Melinda Hospital, the Art & Culture Department, Corridor Gallery, KlabJazz, all the superb playing musicians/singers and everybody else who have worked hard to make this event well done. We hope the spirit of Christmas could reach the heart of everyone tonight, and we hope to see more jazz events at the luxurious Lobby of Melinda Hospital next year. Thank you very much once again. God bless you all.
See more pictures:
Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan
Photographer: Glen Carolus Pattiradjawane, Eghi Gabred
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