City to stage grand jazz festival

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta will once again host a grand jazz festival at the Plaza Timur, Gelora Senayan sport complex between Dec. 1 and 4.

"I can never get enough of organizing jazz festivals in the country," Ireng Maulana, chairman of the organizing committee, told reporters at the 21 Concert Hall, Ratu Plaza, yesterday.

Although the festival has always been overshadowed by both technical and financial constraints, Ireng and his team are optimistic that this year's festival will be a success.

"We have learned from previous shortcomings and we are now trying hard to improve all the facilities, including better services for foreign and local reporters," Ireng explained.

The Jakarta International Jazz festival, dubbed as A Mild Jak Jazz l994, is the fourth of its kind to be held in the city.

The first Jak Jazz was held in November l988 at the Ancol Dreamland Park, North Jakarta. The second festival took place at the same venue in l991. The third Jak Jazz was organized last year at the Plaza Timur, Gelora Senayan sport complex.

This year's Jak Jazz is organized by Ireng Maulana Associates and is jointly sponsored by A Mild, Garuda Indonesia, Jakarta Hilton and several media agencies.

An impressive line-up of Indonesian and international jazz musicians are expected to assemble at this year's event, Ireng said.

Several noted Indonesian singers and jazz groups will demonstrate their musical talents to entertain the audience. The singers will include Ruth Sahanaya, Margie Segers, Ermy Kulit and Harvey Malaiholo. Jazz groups such as Ireng Maulana All Stars, Java Jazz, Embong Project and Kiboud Maulana will also perform at the coming Jak Jazz.

Well-known jazz singer Phill Perry and smooth guitarist Randy Bersen will give their best performances for local jazz lovers. A Japanese jazz group, Casiopea, and famous Icelandic group Mezzoforte are among the top-billed attractions in the coming festival. Mezzoforte, who have a lot of fans here, will also present their newest album, which includes hit song Jakarta Dream, a tribute to last year's Jak Jazz festival.

Other musicians to be prominently featured in the Jak Jazz promotion is the beautiful saxophonist from the Netherlands, Candy Dulfer, a Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino, and Coco York.(raw)