Colours of Life: January 2008

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Nine - And so The End Came..

Monday Michiru show, that ended at November 25, Sunday, around 1.00, marked the end of my rush journey to Jak Jazz Festival 2007. It was an exhausting trip, but very pleasant. The dream to watch a Jazz concert had come true. But this won't be the last one.

Anyway, at least there were two drawbacks from Jak Jazz 2007. The first one was some of the Jak Jazz on-field comittee members didn't have a lot of information, such as schedule, stage location, etc. And when I asked one of them, he didn't give any info, didn't have motivation to seek the info, and didn't point to whom I should ask the question. The other drawback was there were two versions of the show schedule distributed among the audience.

And there are, of course, some lessons learned from this trip. So I will write some tips if you want to go to this kind of concert (a music festival):
1. Bring some snack and drink (of course I brought it).
2. Bring mat, paper, or anything that can be used to sit on.
3. If you want to get some autographs, bring some related merchandises and a waterproof marker.
4. Prepare yourself with rest, eat well, etc because it will be exhausting.
5. If you want to take some photos, bring a good camera (yeah, I will bring DSLR next time). Anyway, if you want to test your camera is good enough or not to be brought, try to test it in low light condition (maybe like the light condition in a cinema). If you satisfied with the result, you can bring it. If not, use a better one. Maybe I will write more tips and trics in using digicam in other occassion.

So this is the end. Whew.. these are the most related posts I've ever wrote anyway. Quite a accomplishment I guess.

Jazz is.. One of life's greatest gifts: fun found within surprise.

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Eight - Main-Course: Monday Michiru

After Parkdrive show was over, we headed to Big Stage 1 again where Monday Michiru would perform. I was exhausted at that time and a sleepy sensation struct me. We had to wait for another 15 minutes till the show started. Anyway there were many persons decided to sit on the ground, in front of the front seat to watch this show, so we decided to follow it too. And sitting there made my sleepiness became worse.

Monday Michiru from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Born August 19, 1963 in Tokyo, Japan, Monday Michiru was named but her parents, jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and jazz saxophonist Charlie Mariano, to reflect both her Japanese and American heritage. With music obviously in her blood, Monday showed interest in the arts from an early age, studying modern dance and ballet from the age of 8, and classical flute from 11 years of age.

After winning first place in several local flute competitions in Los Angeles, she attended the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Michigan and was recognized for her talent and awarded a scholarship from both the Armstrong Flute Association and Interlochen Arts Academy.

After graduating IAA, Monday shifted her studies from the classical flute and began concentrating on the voice more seriously. It was in 1991 that she finally had the opportunity to reroute her endeavors back to her roots in music and released her debut solo album. By 1993, Monday steadily began recording and releasing albums in Japan and later in Europe, Australia, and South America.

First Experience with Monday Michiru

I knew Monday Michiru for the first time at the recorded Jak Jazz 2006 show and stunned by her voice. Since then I had became her fan.

More Experiences with Monday Michiru

I knew more of her music through Optimista album. She has been known as an artist that combine many genre to form her own music style. It is ranging from jazz, dance, pop, and soul. And from this album I learnt more in her style. She combine samba tune in some tracks of this album. Other than that, I'm really amazed by the depth and the meaning of her lyric. Her music is simply beautiful, and sometime energetic and groovy, and the lyric has a lot of messages. Such combination made me love her music more.

Monday Michiru's Jak Jazz Show

Monday Michiru walked to the stage with a red gown to the knee, she looked very beautiful and sexy also. Accompanied by Alexandre Sipiagin (trumpet), Seamus Blake (saxophone and guitar), Gene Jackson (drum), Henry Hey (keyboard), and Fima Ephron (bass), she was ready to begin her show. Some of her songs were romantic and some other more were groovy and energetic. But I guessed the audience was already tired, so they didn't want to get up from the seat. I wanted to stand up rather than sat down also, but I was also tired and feared to be shouted by other audience (in the previous shows, everyone that stood up in front of the stage, mainly because wanted to take some pictures, was always shouted by other audience to get down).

Anyway, I recognized at least two of her songs, those were "Oasis" and "Play It By Ear". And it was really an honour for Jak Jazz 2007, because she especially sang one song that she had never sung before live, unfortunately I forgot the title :( sigh.. Anyway, other than singing, in some of her song, she played flute too. At the end of the show after she got off the stage, the audience shout "we want more" over and over, and she appeared again. Anyway she stated that she prepared to come to the stage, and said it would be really silly if the audience didn't call her back. So I guess it didn't count as an encore anyway. One song more to go and the show was really over.

After the show was over, we left the stage, but to see she reappeared to give autograph and a little photo session to her fans. So we rushed back to the stage, but I didn't prepare anything to get her autograph. So I took a bag that was left behind on the ground by its owner, clean it up, and got her autograph. Wow.. she is a really kind person. Anyway.. what I really disappointed about is.. I should get her photo with me.. sigh.. I was too shy to ask that :P

Photos

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

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Alexandre Sipiagin on trumpet and Seamus Blake on saxophone

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The beautiful Monday Michiru

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Alexandre Sipiagin on trumpet and Seamus Blake on guitar

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Fima Ephron on bass

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Gene Jackson on drum

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Monday Michiru

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Henry Hey on keyboard

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Seven - Side-Dish: Parkdrive

Really satisfied with Bill Sharpe & Geography show, we have one more "main-course" at 23.15, and it was around 30 minutes more to the designated hours. We went to stage immediately to get the best spot but only to find the front chair already full occupied. With nothing to lose spot, we decided to watch Parkdrive on Frestea Garden Stage.

Parkdrive from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Parkdrive launched their self-titled debut album on the 11th of August 2005, with their first hit-single Sekedar Cerita. They received an immediate warm welcome from Indonesian music lovers and the media alike, with their CD sales reaching up to 3,000 copies in just 3 months. Quite impressive noting that their release was under an indie-label.

Although the group has never performed live prior to their release, just five days after they finished producing their first clip, they were instantly made MTV Exclusive artist of August 2005. Their hit-single Sekedar Cinta soon became a popular request and climbed up the charts in several national radio stations.

Made up of two Berklee College of Music graduates, Rayendra Sunito and Juno Adhi, teamed with Mikuni's unique vocals, Parkdrive continued to make various appearances and interviews in press formats, radio, and television. Their fresh and new sound in the Indonesian music industry led them to collaborate with well known local musicians of the same genre. One of their works with Glen, Selalu Tersenyum, can be found in the movie Cinta Silver's OST.

First Experience with Parkdrive

The very first experience with Parkdrive was with their first album and Mikuni was still the vocalist.

More Experiences with Parkdrive

The most notable experience after the first one, maybe from watching they live at Paskal Hyper Square. When they performed at Paskal Hyper Square, the vocalist already changed to Olive. Personally I prefer Olive as the vocalist, because her voice can bring Parkdrive more energetic and groovy.

Parkdrive's Jak Jazz Show

I didn't know why that I felt this show not too good. I felt it had not much difference when I saw them live the last time. But I guess it was still a good performance, judging from the audience response.

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Six - Main-Course: Bill Sharpe & Geography

Nine was approaching, and we had arrived at Dji Sam Soe Super Premium Stage around 10 minutes to nine. Well, this show enlisted in my "main-course" list because I wanted to see Tetsuo Sakurai. I amazed with Tetsuo style in playing bass guitar. He shows that a bass guitar is not only played as the rhythm section, but also can be played as a melodic bass and becoming like a lead guitar. Other than Tetsuo, I also had known Shakatak, Bill Sharpe's old band, but just learnt that Bills Sharpe was one of Shakatak personnel.

In the Jak Jazz 2007 schedule, it was just stated that there would be Bill Sharpe (keybard and piano) & Geography, band from Japan, consist of Tetsuo Sakurai (bass), Masato Honda (saxophone and flute), and Hiroyuki Noritake (drum). But there were still two more musicians, they are Don Grusin (keyboard and piano) and Carlos Rios (guitar)

Bill Sharpe from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Bill Sharpe is widely known as one of the Shakatak personnel. He formed Shakatak in 1980, along with Keith and Roger and Producer Nigel Wright. They toured the UK extensively during the early eighties. In 1982 they had their first top 20 hit with Easier Said Than Done. Others include Night Birds, Invitations, Dark in the Night, Down on the Street, and Sister Cool. In 1983, international success began for the band where Night Birds became one of the biggest selling international albums of all time.

As the band's success continued through the 80's, Sharpe released his first solo album Famous People in 1985. One song in the album featured Gary Numan called Change your Mind, became a top 20 hit and also heralded the start of a successful collaboration with Gary under the name of Sharpe and Numan.

In 1997, he had the time and opportunity to record his second solo album. This enabled him to work with some of his favourite American musicians including Alex Acuna, Paulinho da Costa, as well the great soul singer Jeffrey Osborne.

Don Grusin from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Don Grusin (born April 22, 1941, in Denver, Colorado), is an American songwriter, producer, and keyboardist. He holds a Master Degree in Economics from the University of Colorado and for a period of his life taught at the National Autonomous University of Mexico as well as at Foothill College, California before deciding to enter the music business full-time.

The younger brother of producer/composer Dave Grusin, Don Grusin is an excellent keyboardist who has had his own solo career. He originally avoided music (not wanting to be in his brother's shadow), becoming an economics professor and not becoming full-time musician untui 1975. At that time, he put together a band to tour Japan with Quincy Jones, freelanced in Los Angeles, and headed the group Friendship which recorded for Elektra 1978.

Grusin recorded a few albums for JVC in the early '80s; and in 1988, with Sticks and Stones (a collaboration with brother Dave), Don Grusin began recording regularly for GRP, playing music that (although influenced by pop) is also somewhat adventurous within the crossover genre.

Tetsuo Sakurai from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

Tetsuo Sakurai (born November 13, 1957 in Tokyo) is a Japanese bassist. He started playing bass when he was 13 years old.

He was a member of the jazz fusion band Casiopea in 1976-1989 and Jimsaku with Akira Jimbo in 1990-1998. He has released a total 37 albums as members of Casiopea and Jimsaku as well as solo. He also made 3 instructional videos. Now, he is composing and playing his own music as solo artist with domestic and foreign musicians. The 3rd solo album TLM20, released in 2000, was recorded live concert with Casiopea members, Issei Noro and Minoru Mukaiya. Akira Jimbo also performed on drums. Kazuki Katsuta of Dimension was the lead on sax. The 4th solo album Gentle Hearts released in 2001, was recorded with Greg Howe & Dennis Chambers. The 5th solo albums Cartas do Brasil, released in 2003, as the self cover vocal ballad album recorded in Rio de Janeiro with Djavan, Ivan Lins, Rosa Passos, and so on. In 2004, Tetsuo toured with Greg & Dennis. The following year, the tour live performances was released on DVD titled Gentle Hearts Tour 2004.

First Experience with Bill Sharpe & Geography

As I stated above I had known Bill Sharpe music through Shakatak before Jak Jazz 2007. As for Tetsuo Sakurai, I know him at the Java Jazz 2006 warm-up event, and since then I love his bass playing. After Java Jazz 2006, I browse YouTube to find some of Tetsuo's video clip, and then I saw Masato Honda performance in collaboration with Tetsuo. For the rest three musicians, I've only known them in Jak Jazz 2007

More Experiences with Bill Sharpe & Geography

More experiences with Bill Sharpe were done through Shakatak, but only a few songs. And for Tetsuo Sakurai and Masato Honda, I've heard and watched some more of their performances in YouTube. Anyway, I had heard some of Casiopea tracks, but before Jak Jazz 2007, I hadn't known that Tetsuo was the former bassist.

Bill Sharpe & Geography's Jak Jazz Show

It was a really awesome performance. During the show, Don Grusin and Bill Sharpe, that sometime changed their position on piano or keyboard, the lefty guitarist Carlos Rios, Hiroyuki Noritake, the virtuoso Masato Honda, and the most popular in the stage Tetsuo Sakurai brought song one by one magnificently and then lead to big applause from the audience. Along the show, they perform improvisation one by one very smoothly, and it was done very well and not too much (sometime in a jazz show, the musicians perform improvisations too much, in my opinion resulting in too long and boring show). I really like how they communicated with the audience. And for Tetsuo Sakurai as the most popular musician on the stage, he sure really know how to satisfy the audience with his skill and improvisation on the 6-strings bass.

The first song I knew in this show was "My Funny Valentine". They invited vocalist from Indonesia, Anna Andrea, to sing this song. The next one was "Fire Water", a piece for bass and drum. Tetsuo and Hiroyuki play this piece amazingly. Tetsuo showed various skills with the bass, and Hiroyuki also play the solo drum energetically. And then the most familiar song and maybe most awaited by the audience, "Night Bird" from Shakatak played. Near the end of the show, one string of Carlos' guitar was snapped, I guessed it was the 6th string. But it didn't matter anymore, because the show was going to end soon. And when the show ended, the applause echoed really hard and long.

Photos

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

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Masato Honda on saxophone and Tetsuo Sakurai on bass

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Don Grusin on piano

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The featured Indonesian vocalist, Anna Andrea was singing "My Funny Valentine"

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Hiroyuki Noritake on drum, together with Tetsuo Sakurai were playing "Fire Water" piece

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Bill Sharpe on piano

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Bill Sharpe & Geography on stage

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Tetsuo Sakurai did some improvisations

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Tetsuo-san, the most popular musician on stage

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The lefty guitarist, Carlos Rios

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Hiroyuki Noritake the energetic drummer

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Five - Side-Dish: Lou G and The Galaxy Big Band

It was still an hour to go to nine, the next "main-course" performance, so we decided to take a walk around the venue and look at some merchandise stores. Then music from a stage attracted us, there was Lou G (from Netherlands) performed on the stage.

First Experience with Lou G

Their performance at Jak Jazz 2007 was my very first time knowing the band.

Lou G's Jak Jazz Show

There was another great performance, but then again I rarely knew their song, but one was recognized as "Roots". I'm really familiar with Incognito's version of this song. Anyway I was really enchanted by the beautiful voice of their gorgeous vocalist, Marlayne.

After Lou G performance ended, there was still some time till nine, so we got to the nearest stage. And there was Galaxy Big Band performed on the Frestea Garden Stage.

The Galaxy Big Band from Jak Jazz 2007 Official Program Book

It would appear that jazz tradition has advanced quite a lot in Japanese society. Such that expatriates from Japan living in Jakarta has the mens to form their own jazz band. This group called The Galaxy Big Band often plays swing jazz. They have also performed in numerous national events.

Even though they are not professional musicians, their performances cannot be underestimated. They play with such coordination and control that each elements of the band acts as one and never get in each other's way.

This band was formed in 1992 and is also supported by musicians from Indonesia and non Japanese expatriates. During that time, some of their members came and went because of various reasons, such as having to return to their own countries. Last year, they made an appearance at the ITB Big Band Concert in Bandung, West Java, and received a very enthusiastic welcome.

First Experience with The Galaxy Big Band

Well this time too was my first experience with The Galaxy Big Band.

The Galaxy Big Band's Jak Jazz Show

Wow, I was amazed by their performances, noting that they are not professional musicians. And.. actually I'm ashamed writing this again and again.. sigh.. yes I didn't know the songs they were performed, but the swing tune somewhat familiar.

Photos

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

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Lou G performance at Jak Jazz 2007

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The gorgeous Lou G vocalist, Marlayne
I couldn't get nearer to the stage, so I took her photo at the big screen just behind me

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The Galaxy Big Band performance at Jak Jazz 2007

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Four - Main-Course: PIG

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

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Indra Lesmana on pianika

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Gilang Ramadhan on drum

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Pra Budidarma at bass

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Indra Lesmana on piano

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Three - Side-Dish: The Doctor, Dinner, and Some Other Dishes

First thing first.. that was buying the official program book. And then straight to the nearest stage, that was Garden Stage with The Doctor performance.

First Experience with The Doctor

Well, that was my first time to know about The Doctor band and their performance as well and nothing too special about the very first experience.

The Doctor's Jak Jazz Show

Good, but not impressive, that was my first impression about The Doctor. In the show it seemed they brought other jazz artist song. I couldn't remember every song, but still could enjoy their show. The biggest drawback was their vocalist didn't remember the song lyric very well. So all the three vocalist always read their note when they were singing. Personally, I don't like this kind of performance, because the vocalists seemed ignoring the audience when they were singing.

Dinner and Some Other Dishes

After The Doctor show, there was still more or less 1 hour till one of the main target shows. After, took a look around all of the stages, we decided to have dinner early. Other than dinner, we just took a glimpse at other shows that had begun on other stages.

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Jak Jazz Festival 2007 Saga: Chapter Two - Departure and Arrival

I was 15 minutes late, but there was still enough time. So I'm rushed to my Angkot (Angkutan Kota, the English translation, literally is City Transportation; it is one kind of public transportation; the vehicle is minivan) and there was a story happened back there. My Angkot's driver caught on a dispute with another Angkot driver. A silly dispute and I guessed the other driver was drunk, even he drew a middle size single-edged sword. And I sat behind the driver, and the sword pointed to the driver, and the sword was only approximately 30 cm away from my face. Gosh.. at that single moment, I just feel fear and did not know how to react. Fortunately, a police pass by and the driver with sword ran away. Feels like my hometown become more and more dangerous.

Anyway, a little bit information, a Japanese style single-edged sword is called katana. I have heard a usual mistake to call this kind of sword samurai. Well, for more information about katana follow this link and concerning samurai can be viewed at this link.

And then, I arrived around 13.40 at the shuttle departure point. Wasted some time and 14.00 came, and so my shuttle was ready to go to Jakarta. Well, I rarely can sleep to spend time on road trip like this. So I played with my new phone a little bit, and then tried to take a nap. I did have a little nap around 15.20, just for 15 minutes, then woke up for realized that the shuttle had been caught on traffic jam on the freeway. It should be a freeway, but all the vehicles moved very slowly. The shuttle trapped in the jam for about 30 minutes. After that, the shuttle rode smoothly till arrived at the arrival point, at Blora, Jakarta.

After asking the people around, I took a bus-way (a weird term.. because it is a public transportation but doesn't signify that), arrived at Gelora Bung Karno, headed to Istora Senayan, and the music already echoed on the air. Then I met Unggul at Istora's gate.

"Jak Jazz here I come.."

The White Bed - At Cipularang Freeway (maybe around KM 25)

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Taken at 24th November 2007
I just want to jump to that "white bed".. hm.. take a nap there seems tempting.

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