New Jazz bar out to help patrons escape worries<\/p>\n
By Marieke Van Heek<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jazz and Jakarta, still underestimated in the
\ncity's nightlife. Although JakJazz proves every year that Jakarta
\nresidents love jazz, there has, until recently, only been one
\njazz bar here. A new jazz bar, Harry's Bar, in the Mandarin
\nOriental Jakarta, opened its doors just one month ago.<\/p>\n
Arriving there, you'll be greeted by Harry's Bar's doorman,
\nwho stands ready, beckoning you to enter. The jazz music floats
\nout from the pub's darkness.<\/p>\n
The atmospheric lighting makes it hard to distinguish between
\nstairs and floor; the bar is the first thing that looms out of
\nthe dark. First, take a seat at the bar and look around Jakarta's
\nbrand new jazz bar, which took a risk starting a new business
\nduring the current economic crisis. The bar's focus is probably
\nguests of the Mandarin or Jakartans who need some entertainment
\nto forget their economic woes.<\/p>\n
The crisis has certainly had an influence on the city's bars.
\nOn one Tuesday night, there were about 50 people in Harry's Bar.
\nDefinitely not enough for a big breakthrough. The visitors varied
\nfrom well-dressed locals, to European businessmen having a
\npleasant time with local companions and rich expat couples having
\na drink and socializing. It was anyone's guess if these people
\nwere real jazz fans, or just out for a night of relaxation.<\/p>\n
Zulkifflie Bin Reephen, the manager of Harry's Bar, admitted
\nthat he expected more guests for the evening, but he was not
\ndiscouraged.<\/p>\n
He said that the opening of Harry's went back two years to
\nSingapore. Harry's Bar is a well-known jazz bar in Singapore and
\nthe managers there wanted to expand their business by opening a
\nbar in Jakarta. They even used the same name because of its good
\nreputation. Indonesia's economic crisis did not stop them.<\/p>\n
\"We take it as a challenge to survive,\" said Reephen.<\/p>\n
For all that, everybody seemed to be having fun. The modern
\ninterior, designed with a variety of seating, from barstools to
\ncomfortable seats in front of the stage, and accentuated by
\nabstract paintings on the walls, provides the pub's jazzy
\natmosphere. The soft, popular jazz music also emphasizes this,
\nalthough people were waiting for some good live jazz music.<\/p>\n
When the live music started, there was no more chance for
\ntalking. Sitting in the comfortable chairs only two meters from
\nthe stage made it hard to miss a thing. Aska, the singer of the
\nBenny Mustafo Trio, looked like Joe Cocker, silencing everyone
\nonly with his deep manly voice. Not for long, though. People
\nbegan clapping and singing along. The real jazz fans had woken
\nup. The macho, white singer with long gray hair casually pulled
\nback, leaned over backwards for Harry's audience. The excited
\nfaces and moving bodies showed that people were completely
\nabsorbed in the music.<\/p>\n
\"You should definitely come on a Saturday evening,\" Diana
\nMoxen, a representative of Harry's Bar, said while enjoying her
\nbeer, which costs Rp 4,200 a glass, exclusive of service and tax.<\/p>\n
\"Bertha, the woman who sings on Saturday nights, is really
\ngreat. Like an Indonesian Aretha Franklin.\"<\/p>\n
Bertha will be at Harry's Bar on Saturday nights only for this
\nmonth. Harry's changes its program every month. During April, the
\nBenny Mustafa Trio will perform from Monday to Thursday evenings.
\nFriday night is feature night with Idang Rasjidi & Friends taking
\ncare of the music. Sundays has Strawberry Jam with Benny
\nLikumahuwa and his band. Harry's Bar is open from 5 p.m. to 1
\na.m. every day. Both international entertainers and local jazz
\nmusicians are expected to perform at the bar.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-jazz-bar-out-to-help-patrons-escape-worries-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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