Leading musicians play at 25th Jazz Goes to Campus

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!