Last of the ragtime pianists

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

"We always call him a ragtime specialist. I think there's no other ragtime pianist here in Indonesia. It's too difficult to become one," jazz guitarist Ireng Maulana, who has played with pianist Hendra Wijaya since 1972, said about his friend, who passed away on Sunday night.

Seasoned pianist Hendra, 56, died in the hospital after a two- week struggle with cancer, leaving wife Jenny Wijaya and two daughters Ferani, 25, and Karina, 22.

"About two weeks ago, he complained of breathing difficulties and had a fever. He was diagnosed of suffering from several infections, including an intestinal one," Jenny, 56, told The Jakarta Post from their house in West Jakarta.

"Later, the doctor also said he had lung cancer that had spread from his kidneys," Jenny added. "The cancer had reached the fourth stage; we were never aware of that before."

Hendra, a Catholic, will be cremated on Wednesday, Jenny said.

"Besides music, Hendra loved the sea. He loved diving, so we shall spread his ashes in the sea," Jenny said.

Hendra was scheduled to perform at Erasmus Huis on Nov. 24 with Ireng Maulana All Stars.

The group will play songs from their latest album, Sweet Jazzy. From 10 songs in the album, Hendra Wijaya performed a piano solo in Crazy, a song made popular by Julio Iglesias.

Hendra learned to play piano first by himself and later under the tuition of maestro Nick Mamahit.

In 1973 Hendra won the Yamaha Distinguished Performance award.

He performed hundreds of concerts at home and in the U.S. Europe, Australia and several Asian countries.

A director of a music school, he was also a private piano tutor for a few advanced learners.

Besides making several recordings with Ireng Maulana All Stars, he made a number of solo albums: Hendra Wijaya's Ragtime Band (1981), Soft Beautiful Romantic vol. 1 and vol. 2 (1986 and 1987) and Romantic Piano (1990).