Jazz Goes to Campus learning its lessons

Adhi Abhiyasa , Contributor, Jakarta

Unlike last year, jazz aficionados flocking to the 26th Jazz Goes to Campus were greeted with cloudy skies, a cool breeze and, wait, only one big stage. What happened to the other smaller, less flashy yet crowd-friendlier stage?

According to the organizer, for the sake of a new concept, all performers at the annual open-air jazz concert held by students of the University of Indonesia's School of Economics were concentrated in one place, in order not to distract people who wished to watch all their favorite musicians.

However, the attempt at improvement forced the audience to sit in front of the stage while latecomers had to be satisfied watching the performing musicians from the side of the stage, sharing space with food and sidewalk stalls that somehow made the jazz festival look like a high school students' bazaar.

Never mind, though; great jazz still filled the air last Sunday.

For more than 12 solid hours, the likes of maestro Bubi Chen, Benny Likumahuwa, Marusya Nainggolan and Krakatau, as well as a bunch of new performers, including Jam-O-Bembe, Trio Japos and Cherokee, treated around 15,000 jazz lovers to probably the most- awaited musical performances of the year.

Even Chandra Darusman, the concert's creator, might never have expected the event, which he aimed at familiarizing the college students of the '80s with the do-bee-bop of jazz, to have distinguished itself as the only event of that musical genre surviving here.

Most importantly, it has become an event to gauge the development of the jazz scene in this country.

The concert's theme, Create the Emotions, was clearly reflected in the audience's enthusiastic cheers and applause every time the musicians came up on stage, whatever kind of jazz they played.

Among early, enjoyable performances that day was one from Jam- O-Bembe. The new group, which was established by young musicians from several local pop bands, energized the afternoon by belting out four upbeat numbers of acid jazz and bosssanova.

Vocalist Rika managed to bring a Latin flavor to their music with her joyful voice, while still giving room to the drummer and bassist to show off great jazzy solo performances.

Not wanting to be outshone by their younger counterparts, the next performance of Bubi Chen and Benny Likumahuwa, who presented mainstream jazz tunes including those of Herbie Hancock, was as worthwhile as those of Marusya Chamber Music and Jam-O-Bembe.

Bubi's piano skills, among the most celebrated in the country, found a true soulmate with the explorative sounds of trumpet and flute by Benny. They were relaxed and seemed aware of what the audience really wanted from their play; some mainstream standards that could bring up an atmosphere of good 'ol jazz that swings the mood. Maybe this is what helps the festival draw bigger audiences each year.

"I never care about what theme the organizer comes up with every year," said Budi, a perennial visitor to the festival.

"All I know is that the festival always satisfies me with all sorts of jazz from the best musicians, all in one day."

One really full day it was, too. Even after a few hours, people kept on streaming onto the grounds, knowing that the best was yet to come in the second half, collaborations of young talent and celebrated Indonesian jazz musicians continued.

If the trio of Fariz RM, Sherina and Syaharani gave a taste of pop that entertained, it was vocalist Bertha that really highlighted the second session. Her Ella Fitzgerald-like vocals soared high and low, in addition to her collaboration with a young pianist performing Alicia Keys' A Woman's Worth that will surely make many a young diva out there feel ashamed for not taking serious vocal lessons.

If making the festival an unforgettable and exciting jazz experience for its audience is what the organizer really aimed for, then they succeeded on all counts. The event never lacks sponsorship, with banners from various companies and media partners everywhere, and brochures, flyers and other promotional merchandise littering the venue the whole day.

But is that all after 26 years?

"As the musicians ourselves, we feels that it's time for the jazz festival organizer to progress further," said Dwiki Dharmawan, whose ethnic jazz flavor of his Krakatau band rounded off the concert sometime before midnight.

He signaled a message that musicians would be more than willing to do whatever they could to get the event ranked among renowned international music concerts. Having jazz musicians from various countries as regular performers instead of making mere guest appearances is not an impossible dream.

The festival could actually be more prestigious and stand out among current music events, which boast DJs spinning discs until the wee hours.

And, hey, no need to have an inferiority complex anyway, as you're only a year younger than North Sea Jazz Festival!