Growing roots<\/p>\n
With an estimated 5,000 fans attending despite rain on
\nThursday evening, one could say that the fourth international
\nJakarta jazz festival, Jak Jazz 1994, has started off on a note
\nof optimism. After all it may be noted that it was not so long
\nago that the musical genre that is known as jazz had about as
\nmany fans among Indonesians as western classical music -- that is
\nto say, very few.<\/p>\n
But of course, things have changed over the past few years.
\nThe regular crowds that can be found in the evenings in
\nestablishments such as Jamz at Blok M, The Stage in the Ratu
\nPlaza basement and most recently the illustrious Blue Note just
\noff Jl. Jenderal Sudirman -- not to mention the many pubs, clubs
\nand restaurants offering floor shows -- is proof enough that jazz
\nappears to have finally gained the appreciation it deserves as a
\ntrue art form.<\/p>\n
True, part of this gratifying attendance may have little to do
\nwith genuine musical appreciation. To some, those clubs and pubs
\nmay be no more than pleasant and convenient places for conversing
\nand doing business. And some people may go to those places
\nfeeling that it helps to build their social image to be seen
\nthere. All of which are, of course, legitimate reasons. If
\nmusical appreciation is a concern, it may come naturally
\nafterwards and their patronage, at the very least, helps to
\nsustain the establishment and thus helps to keep the jazz
\ntradition alive.<\/p>\n
To us, however, it seems that indeed there has been a
\nbroadening of musical tastes among Indonesians lately, especially
\namong the young. Surely this is not very surprising. The wide
\nexposure which Indonesians are getting at present to recorded
\nmusic through audio cassettes, CDs, radio and television has
\nbrought a familiarity with musical genres of all kinds -- yet
\nanother aspect of the globalization process.<\/p>\n
Besides, it seems to be getting harder and harder these days
\nto distinguish one genre from the other as a result of blending.
\nLittle wonder that among the first styles of jazz to gain
\npopularity among younger Indonesians is that known as fusion,
\nwhich was born of a blend between traditional jazz music and
\nrock.<\/p>\n
With all this in mind we believe this to be the proper place
\nand time to thank the organizers of Jak Jazz 1994 for their
\ndedication and untiring efforts. Steady progress seems to have
\nbeen made since the first Jak Jazz was launched in 1988. Their
\nendeavor has helped not only to put Jakarta on the world map of
\ntourism and business, as Jakarta's Governor Surjadi Soedirdja
\nremarked during the opening of the festival on Thursday night, it
\nalso opens up a wider opportunity for Indonesians, Jakartans in
\nparticular, to be exposed to a form of healthy, serious
\nentertainment that we believe can only do them and the nation
\ngood.<\/p>\n
At the same time we believe the time may have come for the
\norganizers to think about broadening the base of support for
\ntheir undertaking, such as by inviting other parties to get
\ninvolved in future Jak Jazz events, so that some fresh wind may
\nstart blowing to lend greater vitality to the endeavor.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/growing-roots-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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