City to stage grand jazz festival

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)