Jazz stars remember Hendra, Perry

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.