Jazz stars remember Hendra, Perry

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Death brings up echoes of past losses but it also has a life- affirming power as it brings people together.

"An evening of jazz", a tribute to ragtime pianist Hendra Wijaya and bassist Perry Pattiselano was a glittering affair with dozens of jazz stars from different generations and various types of jazz.

The stage became the venue for their reunion and it exuded the warmth brought about by the atmosphere of solidarity among the musicians, who obviously shared the same devotion to music.

They were having fun, sharing poignant moments on stage and in consequence, they touched the audience's hearts in a way that pop musicians could never do

The concert on Dec. 15 delivered quality performances from prominent jazz names; three top bassists, five prominent guitarists, three superb pianists and several vocalists, from veteran Margie Segers and Ermy Kullit to Iga Mawarni and young Andien and Tompi.

The hundreds of jazz lovers who packed Balai Sarbini that Thursday night got a little bit of everything during the concert.

From sweet jazzy tunes like For Sentimental Reasons by Andien and When I Fall in Love by Ermy Kullit, Iga Mawarni and Johan Untung, to a jam session from seasoned guitarists Donny Suhendra and Dewa Budjana, who were shortly after joined by Kiboud Maulana, Ireng Maulana and Oele Pattiselano in performing another composition.

As a homage to Pattiselano, three jazz bassists, Mates, Jeffri Tahalele and Yance Manusama, put in an energetic trio performance.

However, the highlight of the concert was veteran pianist Bubi Chen and prominent pianist Indra Lesmana in a homage to pianist Hendra Wijaya.

In his introductory speech before their performance, Bubi, one of the oldest jazz musicians who hailed from the same generation as Indra's father, the late Jack Lesmana, told the audience that they would play two pieces.

But only three minutes into the first part, Indra, apparently in a spontaneous move, stood up from his piano on the left of the stage, walked 10 meters to Bubi, and surprised his senior by hitting the keys on the piano's right side.

Both being amazing pianists, the interruption did not ruin the superb piano playing, instead both immediately became engrossed in the fast-pace tunes.

Standing up from the piano seat they took turns from the left to the right side of the piano in a breathtaking impromptu performance.

After about 15 minutes, the music stopped and Bubi hugged Indra warmly, while the audience gave thunderous applause and screams of delight.

That was clearly the crescendo of the show, which still lasted for another hour of intimate accounts about Hendra and Perry from their families and friends.

The last one hour was full of friendly and warm gestures from the wives and children of both Hendra and Perry. Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso also got the chance to speak on stage, saying that because the concert was a tribute, and the artists were not paid, he had exempted the concert from the tax.

The money raised from the concert will be given to the families of Perry and Hendra.

However, the last one hour dragged somewhat causing some members of the audience to leave the venue prematurely.

Those who remained seated until the end got the chance to take pictures and collect autographs from all the artists who gathered on stage for the last song, That's what friends are for.

The concert was organized by guitarist Ireng Maulana, Hendra's best friend and Perry's close colleague.

Caption Suara Pembaruan/Alex Subhan

EVENING OF JAZZ: Vocalist Iga Mawarni, saxophonist Didiek SSS and vocalists Ermy Kullit and Johan Untung perform in a tribute to Perry Pattiselano and Hendra Wijaya. They performed When I Fall In Love in the Dec. 15 concert at Balai Sarbini.