Colours of Life: Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Four

Around 19.00, the Super Premium Stage had filled with people that was waiting for PIG performance. And we arrived just in time. About 10 minutes after we arrived, the PIG show began. Well, to my surprise, everyone seemed to like sitting on floor to watch the live music show, on the other hand, in my opinion, it is normal to stand for watching this kind live show.

PIG from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Pra Budidarma, Indra Lesmana, and Gilang Ramadhan were once part of a music group called Krakatau along with Trie Utami and Dewa Budjana. But these three also developed an experimental form of music far different from Krakatau's style.

According to Pra, PIG's style is free jazz. A style that focuses on the exploration of each of the individual's performance. In 1996, PIG released an album, though not many knew about it because of lack of promotion and their somewhat complicated music style.

They were also considered successful in combining Indonesian ethnic music and be-bop Jazz. They were able to integrate both style in such a way that neither one overpowered the other.

An example would be the composition named "Little Jakarta". Characteristic sounds from the musical style Gambang Kromong were presented within an envelope of Jazz nuances without seeming overly-forced. Both sound merged beautifully as if they were born from a single cultural community.

First Experience with PIG

As a group, it was my first time heard their music at Jak Jazz 2007 but for Indra and Gilang.

More Experiences with PIG

There is only one album from Indra that I like so much, which is "Rumah ke-7" soundtrack. The album is filled with swing-jazz track, a brand new sensation for me the first time I heard it. But I couldn't appreciate it well, provided I became intimate with Jazz genre in 2004. As for Gilang, I have heard him before and also have heard his music, but I can't recall what and when.

PIG's Jak Jazz Show

Great, really great, their performance was. None of the song they performed was known by me, but somewhat really familiar. I really like their style that combining jazz with Indonesian ethnic music. Just with Indra's pianika and piano, Pra's bass, and Gilang's drum, they could bring a beautiful performance. Every aspect of the performance was great, however they didn't communicate often with the audience and the performance was really short, about 40 minutes. When I felt they had done warmed up the audience, just a little after that the show ended. Well, I guess I will buy PIG next album. I already fall in love with their music style.

Photos

All these photos taken at Jak Jazz 2007 festival, 24th November 2007