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.