Actis, Krakatau jam well together
Actis, Krakatau jam well together
John Badalu, Contributor, Jakarta
Italy is rarely associated with jazz -- more so with classical
music and opera; however the Italian band Actis proved the
assumption wrong. Its concert at Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman
Ismail Marzuki, on Sept. 22, went beyond the audience's
expectations.
Organized by the Italian Institute of Culture Jakarta, the
band members' physical appearance was already intimidating before
they even started to play. Wearing loose, tribal-pattern
clothing, Actis offered an unusual blend of jazz with an ethnic
touch.
Led by Carlo Actis Dato playing saxophone and clarinet,
Massimo Rossi blowing alto and soprano saxophones, Karsten Lipp
on guitar, Federico Marchesano with electric and acoustic bass
and Dario Bruna beating the drums, the band was an attractive
stage act.
In the first half of the concert, Actis indulged not only our
ears but also our eyes. At one point, both saxophonists Actis and
Rossi jumped down to the audience and communicated with the
audience through their instruments.
On another occasion, Carlo Actis Dato played his saxophone and
slowly dismantled his instrument; still playing with less and
less of it. Takayama Rap, the first song to open the concert, was
an "urban soundscape" inspired by the town, Takayama, in Japan.
The tempo went down on the next one, a mellow tune that still
made the feet want to tap along. Actis kept us entertained with
Los Tiburones (The Sharks), which is a blend of jazz and funk, to
Nairobi Night where the music turned from jazz to Middle Eastern.
The exploration of jazz took its widest interpretation in the
hands of this engaging band.
Carlo Actis Dato started to play clarinet in street bands and
dance groups, touring across Europe and the U.S. since the 1970s
and recording more than 80 albums.
Back home in Italy, Dato is considered one of the best
baritone saxophone players around. Karsten Lipp, the only German
in the group, was born in Bremen. He got a scholarship to study
at Sienna jazz school and since then has lived in Italy.
Dario Bruna, the drummer, has participated in Umbria Jazz
Festival, one of the most important jazz music festivals in
Italy. Federico Marchesano graduated from Turin Music School and
worked with symphonic orchestras before.
Massimo Rossi has recorded two CDs. He also composes music for
actors and dancers. With such dynamic members, Actis produces
solid, yet entertaining jazz music in the widest sense of the
term.
The second half of the concert was filled with Krakatau, a
home band that has been well known since the 1980s. Krakatau has
changed over the years -- not only the personnel but also its
music.
The new lineup comprises Dwiki Dharmawan on keyboard and
synthesizer, Pra Budi Dharma on electric fretless bass, Adhe
Rudiana on percussion and kendang (traditional percussion), Yoyon
Dharsono on vocals and traditional musical instruments, Zainal
Arifin on gamelan and percussion, Gary Herb Siwalette on drums
and Nyak Ina Raseuki (Ubiet) on vocals.
Krakatau offered three lengthy songs with improvisation on
each instrument and vocals. They played with more jazz as a base
but heightened it up with a more ethnic Karawitan sound. More
electronics and vocal exploration was a notable feature.
Ubiet did a sensational, short vocal session with many
different sounds being articulated.
Playing together, Actis and Krakatau, created a noisy circus
beat that searched for harmony at the beginning. At some points
the instruments drowned each other out but once they found their
own rhythm together, they produced a serene collaboration.
Each musician had a dialog with his counterpart. At the end of
the concert, both bands received a standing ovation. It was rare
indeed to be able to enjoy a quality concert like this.