Leading musicians play at 25th Jazz Goes to Campus

Primatmojo Djanoe and Danu Kuntoaji, Contributors, Jakarta

Hundreds of jazz lovers were treated last week to high-caliber performances and fresh talent at the Jazz Goes to the Campus (JGTC), an annual jazz festival held by the Department of Economics at the University of Indonesia.

Marking its silver anniversary this year, the event on Nov. 3 boasted top-notch musicians, such as Bubi Chen, Indra Lesmana & Reborn, simakDialog, Tohpati as well as teen singer Andien and newcomer the Salta group.

Held in the parking lot of the Depok campus area from afternoon until midnight, the performances were split between two stages: the main stage, called the Celebration Stage, and the Anniversary Stage.

The Celebration Stage was aimed at accommodating big band performers -- a haven for those who love big bands playing a jazz standard with complete brass and string sections.

Though smaller, the Anniversary Stage managed to evoke a friendly, jazzy ambiance with performances ranging from Latin to mainstream and from fusion to pop jazz.

JGTC has survived the test of time, becoming the most awaited and consistent jazz festival in Indonesia.

It was initiated by musician Chandra Darusman in 1978 during the heyday of disco and classic rock, and surprisingly it survived the 1980s when the synthesizer ruled and New Wave began to infiltrate music playlists at radio stations.

It developed a loyal fan base in the 1990s, especially among those who couldn't stand the bombardment of alternative rock and R&B songs.

JGTC is also noted for its contribution in introducing young and fresh jazz talent to music aficionados. Groups like Chandra's Karimata, Black Fantasy, Halmahera, Jakarta Rhythm Section and Krakatau were among the regular performers of the festival who have found their way to fame.

Overall, the performances of jazz musicians at this year's JGTC have illustrated their exceptional work in music.

Take guitarist Tohpati for example. The guitarist became one of the most eagerly anticipated performers.

Either performing alone or with his band simakDialog, he made sitting on a parking lot pylon in the heat worthwhile. Playing several self-composed guitar instrumental numbers from his two albums, he has clearly shown that he is deserved to be named Indonesia's most celebrated young jazz guitar player.

simakDialog's compositions were rearranged meticulously, and were so complicated that one felt as if the band was communicating a soulful dialog with the audience.

Some people, however, thought that the band's flavor of jazz was too difficult to understand.

"Wow! I can't believe it. Their music gets heavier every JGTC," said Primas, one of the spectators at the event.

The Anniversary Stage was also the venue for several JGTC debut performances of newcomers to the Indonesian music scene. The Salta band from Bandung, Irsha & Friends and Imel presented light variations of jazz that soothed the audience who did not mind sitting alfresco for hours during the hottest part of the day.

When the night came and the heat subsided, the magnificent Fariz R.M. took control of the stage. A regular performer at the JGTC 25 times in a row, since he was only 18, the multitalented singer stunned the audience with his performance.

Accompanied only by his synthesizer keyboard, he belted out timeless hits including Nada Kasih (Love Tunes), Sakura and Barcelona.

"I've been his number one fan since I was 16 and I still can't get enough of listening to Sakura live like this," said Nando, 33.

Another excellent performer was I Wayan Balawan with his synthesized guitar, which produced sounds mimicking various musical instruments. Blended with Andien's smooth vocals and Indro's brilliant bass playing, the trio's humble performance was unique and entertaining.

The glitzy Celebration Stage was well-prepared to welcome the great performances of Indonesian jazz masters, including Bubi Chen, Ireng Maulana and the Jakarta All Stars, Idang Rasjidi and also Cut Nyak Deviana Daudsjah, who performed with students from her music school.

It's unfortunate that for the last couple of JGTC festivals, we have missed hearing and repeating the funny closing notes of Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World from the legendary Bill Saragih. His poor health prevented him from participating at the event. (Uncle Bill, we'll be waiting for you at the next JGTC!).

Indra Lesmana and Reborn rounded off the performances, which featured the great talents of Indonesian music, including keyboardist Riza Arsyad and drummer Wong Aksan.

Onstage was an array of hi-tech musical instruments, including a grand piano, rows of keyboards, a voice processor for Indra Lesmana and a sophisticated Roland drum set for Wong Aksan. Their rich and contemplative performances played on the sophisticated instruments somehow made the almost-one-hour stage setup forgivable.

However, the festivities did not come without their downside. To avoid the same mistakes being repeated next year, Indra Lesmana suggested that fixed members of the organizer should be appointed in order to present a musical event that is consistently excellent.

But all in all, it was one hell of an event, and we look forward to another JGTC next year!