Jazz stars remember Hendra, Perry<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Death brings up echoes of past losses but it also has a life-
\naffirming power as it brings people together.<\/p>\n
\"An evening of jazz\", a tribute to ragtime pianist Hendra
\nWijaya and bassist Perry Pattiselano was a glittering affair with
\ndozens of jazz stars from different generations and various types
\nof jazz.<\/p>\n
The stage became the venue for their reunion and it exuded the
\nwarmth brought about by the atmosphere of solidarity among the
\nmusicians, who obviously shared the same devotion to music.<\/p>\n
They were having fun, sharing poignant moments on stage and in
\nconsequence, they touched the audience's hearts in a way that pop
\nmusicians could never do<\/p>\n
The concert on Dec. 15 delivered quality performances from
\nprominent jazz names; three top bassists, five prominent
\nguitarists, three superb pianists and several vocalists, from
\nveteran Margie Segers and Ermy Kullit to Iga Mawarni and young
\nAndien and Tompi.<\/p>\n
The hundreds of jazz lovers who packed Balai Sarbini that
\nThursday night got a little bit of everything during the concert.<\/p>\n
From sweet jazzy tunes like For Sentimental Reasons by Andien
\nand When I Fall in Love by Ermy Kullit, Iga Mawarni and Johan
\nUntung, to a jam session from seasoned guitarists Donny Suhendra
\nand Dewa Budjana, who were shortly after joined by Kiboud
\nMaulana, Ireng Maulana and Oele Pattiselano in performing another
\ncomposition.<\/p>\n
As a homage to Pattiselano, three jazz bassists, Mates, Jeffri
\nTahalele and Yance Manusama, put in an energetic trio
\nperformance.<\/p>\n
However, the highlight of the concert was veteran pianist Bubi
\nChen and prominent pianist Indra Lesmana in a homage to pianist
\nHendra Wijaya.<\/p>\n
In his introductory speech before their performance, Bubi, one
\nof the oldest jazz musicians who hailed from the same generation
\nas Indra's father, the late Jack Lesmana, told the audience that
\nthey would play two pieces.<\/p>\n
But only three minutes into the first part, Indra, apparently
\nin a spontaneous move, stood up from his piano on the left of the
\nstage, walked 10 meters to Bubi, and surprised his senior by
\nhitting the keys on the piano's right side.<\/p>\n
Both being amazing pianists, the interruption did not ruin the
\nsuperb piano playing, instead both immediately became engrossed
\nin the fast-pace tunes.<\/p>\n
Standing up from the piano seat they took turns from the left
\nto the right side of the piano in a breathtaking impromptu
\nperformance.<\/p>\n
After about 15 minutes, the music stopped and Bubi hugged
\nIndra warmly, while the audience gave thunderous applause and
\nscreams of delight.<\/p>\n
That was clearly the crescendo of the show, which still lasted
\nfor another hour of intimate accounts about Hendra and Perry from
\ntheir families and friends.<\/p>\n
The last one hour was full of friendly and warm gestures from
\nthe wives and children of both Hendra and Perry. Jakarta Governor
\nSutiyoso also got the chance to speak on stage, saying that
\nbecause the concert was a tribute, and the artists were not paid,
\nhe had exempted the concert from the tax.<\/p>\n
The money raised from the concert will be given to the
\nfamilies of Perry and Hendra.<\/p>\n
However, the last one hour dragged somewhat causing some
\nmembers of the audience to leave the venue prematurely.<\/p>\n
Those who remained seated until the end got the chance to take
\npictures and collect autographs from all the artists who gathered
\non stage for the last song, That's what friends are for.<\/p>\n
The concert was organized by guitarist Ireng Maulana, Hendra's
\nbest friend and Perry's close colleague.<\/p>\n
Caption
\nSuara Pembaruan\/Alex Subhan<\/p>\n
EVENING OF JAZZ: Vocalist Iga Mawarni, saxophonist Didiek SSS and
\nvocalists Ermy Kullit and Johan Untung perform in a tribute to
\nPerry Pattiselano and Hendra Wijaya.
\nThey performed When I Fall In Love in the Dec. 15 concert at
\nBalai Sarbini.<\/p>",
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