Jazz festival ready to blow

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.