Jazz festival ready to blow

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Friday night figures to be a real treat for music buffs in the capital, as the Java Jazz Festival kicks off with performances from some of the top soul, blues and jazz performers in the world.

The festival starts at 4 p.m. with a performance by Jakarta- based dance company Eksotika Karmawibangha Indonesia, and will be backed by percussionist Adjie Rao and veteran musician Steve Reid. Most aficionados will, however, no doubt be eagerly awaiting "The Godfather of Soul", none other than the incomparable James Brown.

Brown, a charter member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is known for his electrifying performances and that is what is hoped for by Jakartans when his show kicks off at 11 p.m. on the main stage -- erected inside the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) plenary hall.

Also set to perform on the main stage will be fusion pianist George Duke and smooth jazz saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa along with his all-star band, who will take turns doing cameos on stage. Duke is scheduled for 6:30 p.m and Kashiwa at 8:45 p.m.

Duke will also be accompanied on stage by Indonesia's award- winning singer, Ruth Sahanaya, while Kashiwa will feature the local rhythm & blues (R&B) crooner Glenn Fredly.

Duke, a Grammy-winning bandleader, producer, composer and keyboardist, has worked with some of the all-time greats in the music business -- the likes of Anita Baker, Frank Zappa and Al Jarreau.

Next to the main stage, inside JCC's Cendrawasih room, keyboardist/singer Amp Fiddler is expected to take the stage at 10 p.m.

Fiddler is known for his versatility and talent that spans jazz, R & B, soul, funk and hip hop.

Also performing on stage will be the local band Groove, playing acid jazz in the same vein as Incognito and Brand New Heavies. The band will kick off at 6 p.m.

For those who cannot do without their fix of female jazz crooners, an evening performance by Tania Maria and Laura Fygi should not be missed. Maria will take the stage inside Assembly Hall 1 at 7 p.m, while Fygi will perform at 8 p.m.

After leaving Dutch girl group Centerfold, Fygi embarked on a solo career in 1992, pursuing a more jazz-inspired path, and regularly covers jazz standards from 1940s and 1950s.

Brazilian-born Tania Maria has been known internationally for her vibrant voice which, belts out the most lyrical and appealing elements of jazz, pop, blues and Brazilian-inspired songs. Live performances remain her true essence.

Sharing the stage with the two jazz divas will be one of Indonesia's best jazz ensembles, Krakatau.

Led by keyboardist Dwiki Darmawan, the band is renowned for elegantly marrying modern jazz with traditional Indonesian music with impressive results.

Krakatau has also been invited to perform at the venerable North Sea Jazz festival in July this year.

Another Indonesian band, who has followed in the path of Krakatau, Simak Dialog, will make their debut at the festival, at 9 p.m. on a stage set up inside Assembly Hall 3.

The band, led by keyboardist Riza Arshad has won praise on the local jazz scene for successfully blending European-style jazz with local traditional music, especially the vocal arrangement.

So, music fans, cancel all other engagements, turn your cellular devices off, send the kids to grandma's house and prepare for some seriously brilliant jazz, blues and soul.