Get ready for Total Touch, Jimsaku and Phil Perry

JAKARTA (JP): Dutch band Total Touch will likely capture most of the attention on today's second day of the Jakarta International Jazz Festival (JakJazz).

Starting at 6 p.m., the evening's performances will conclude at 1:45 a.m.

Guitarist I Dewa Gede Bujana, better known as Dewa Bujana, will show his mastery of the guitar with two other musicians, Arie Ayunir on drums and Bambang Indriyanto on bass, at the indoor basketball hall.

The 33-year-old musician, who released his first solo album Nusa Damai this year, will also play along with Sa'unine String Quartet of Oni, Helmi and Surti on violin, and Wawan on cello.

After an absence from the stage, Java Jazz, led by noted jazz musician Indra Lesmana, will play its own arrangements for music lovers shortly after Bujana.

Known for an obsession with not compromising their musical arrangements for commercialism, the band will be worth waiting for.

With Gilang Ramadhan on drums -- both acoustic and electric -- Mates on bass, Embong Rahardjo on saxophone and flute, and Indra on keyboard and acoustic piano, the band will attract music lovers with their ability to communicate through their music.

One of today's most-awaited performances will be by Total Touch, which is recognized for their unique combination of R&B, soul, funky and even European dance music.

In its homeland, Total Touch has emerged as the most popular band through its first hit Touch Me There and winning a first gold record with Somebody Else's Lover. Those attending the gala opening Thursday night got their first glimpse of their talent.

The group was also invited to appear as special guest at Michael Jackson's shows at the Amsterdam Arena last year.

The outstanding rapport between the band's funky singer Trintje Oosterhuis and her brother, keyboardist Tjeerd P. Oosterhuis, is a determining factor in the group's success, including when it garnered platinum for its single, One Moment Your Mind.

In all their years of making music together, Tjeerd and Trintje have never performed other people's songs.

At 12:30 a.m., several celebrities from business, the arts and entertainment will provide some light relief with a jam session and talk at the indoor basketball hall.

Among those expected to show are businessman Peter Gontha, musician and businessman Setiawan Djodi, artists Camelia Malik, Titiek Puspa and Rano Karno, and the Bagito Group of comedians.

Dua Warna

Talented singer Phil Perry and pianist Ramsey Lewis, who lulled the audience with his hits Sister Moon and Stormy Monday Blues on the first day, will also perform today at the indoor basketball hall.

Here are some other bands scheduled to play tonight at the Jakarta International Jazz Festival:

Indonesia's Dua Warna will have Aminoto Kasim jazzing up ethnic tunes of Djaduk Ferianto, known for his expertise in blending contemporary with traditional compositions. Dua Warna's fusion of jazz and traditional music is televised live every month on local private TV station RCTI.

An all-too delightfully familiar face with a "different" sound is saxophonist Dave Koz, also scheduled on the final night tomorrow.

Having coproduced and cowritten his third album, Off The Beaten Path, with brother Jeff, Dave experiments with the "organic" sounds of jazz.

New beats are no different from a collection of acoustic performances recorded live, as musicians define new beats by replacing drum machines and synthesizers.

His 1990 self-titled debut spent 25 weeks on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart, with the song Castle of Dreams earning him double platinum in Malaysia and gold in Singapore.

Koz has his own successful U.S. radio show, Personal Notes, and was invited to perform at President Clinton's inaugural celebration alongside legendary saxophonists Tom Scott, Grover Washington Jr. and David Sanborn.

He is also known in Indonesia for having played on Oddie Agam's composition Sinaran.

Elfa Scicoria, the man behind Indonesia's Elfa's Big Band, will parade his usual troupe of 31 musicians in Elfa's Band, Elfa's Singers, EBB Voice, eight percussionists and seven flutists. Japan's Jumsaku Casiopea and saxophonist Kasumi Watanabe will show their talent with original compositions.

Jimsaku's eight albums are Jimsaku, VIVA!, Wind Loves Us, Navel, Forty-Five Degrees, Blaze Of Passion, 100% and Jade.

Audiences will get a second chance to enjoy performances of Jeff Lorber and Incognito, both of whom performed opening night.