Los Numero Uno heats up Jakarta

Los Numero Uno heats up Jakarta

By Danielle Bray

JAKARTA (JP): The sound of the trumpet blaring, the beat of
the bongos and the amazing vocals of the three female singers
catapults the audience into a truly Latin atmosphere. Hips start
shaking, shoulders start swaying, and before the audience
realizes, they have become swept up in the sounds of Los Numero
Uno, a 10-piece Colombian band currently performing at Stix at
The Park Lane Hotel.

Hailing from Bogota, Los Numero Uno was founded and is managed
by trumpet player Jorge Fernandez, and has rotated a number of
talented individuals throughout its 15 year existence. The
members range in age from 16-40, each bringing their individual
style and expertise to the ensemble. Currently, the band consists
of seven male musicians (the bongo player also sings the male
lead), and three beautiful female vocalists. The group projects
an undeniable chemistry on stage, and the members perform
exceptionally well together. They exude electrifying energy, and
it is often difficult to remain seated while witnessing their
performances. The ladies periodically venture through the crowd
grabbing unsuspecting dance partners to share in the movements of
the music. It is not only the ladies that carry the rhythm, it
is quite common to see the men in the ensemble creating their own
dance moves in the background.

For the majority of the band members, traveling to Jakarta was
their first time crossing the international dateline. They have
enjoyed the experience, and the time they have spent in
Indonesia. "We were just discussing how hard it is going to be to
leave... many of us are going to go our own ways once we get
home... but the time we have spent here will really be missed,"
relayed Claudia. As musicians, working in a foreign culture has
had its share of ups and downs. As Jorge explained, "It is
different performing in Indonesia, as compared to Colombia. We
find the Indonesian crowd very reserved. At home, everyone feels
the music, and they have no fear of dancing... I miss that
excitement."

The group has headlined the Stix entertainment scene since the
beginning of May, and will dance their last Macarena on Sept. 15.
The band performs week nights starting at 9:30 p.m. (weekends at
10 p.m.) and wrap up at 1:30 a.m. There are no performances
Sunday.

While at Stix, the band usually performs Latin cover tunes,
including International hits like Shake your Bon Bon by Ricky
Martin, No Me Ames by Jennifer Lopez, and Maria, Maria by
Santana.

"We perform cover tunes in Jakarta because the songs are
popular among the local crowd. If we promoted our own music, the
audience would not be familiar with the songs, and therefore
would not enjoy the band as much," remarked Jorge.

Juan Carlos, the keyboard player added, "Although very few of
us speak English or Indonesian, we believe music is a language we
all understand ... it is universal."

Why does Los Numero Uno has so many members? Claudia, the lead
vocalist explained, "You can not play authentic Latin music
without the brass and percussion. Our band consists of the
appropriate instruments, and have even added the drums, which is
a fusion of traditional influences and modern appeal." The band
performs using a keyboard, bongos, trumpet, bass, trombone, sax
and drums. A guira (metal instrument used to keep a beat) is
also occasionally played during their sets. "It may be a small
instrument, but it is very vital in creating the style of Latin
music. Different beats played on the instrument create the
diverse beats of the Salsa, Cumbia, and Merengue," Jorge said.

Cymbals are also a major influence in true Latin music.
Edgar, the bongo player explained, "Traditional Salsa typically
does not use the drums, but rather just the cymbals. Nowadays,
Latin bands welcome the drums, as well as the cymbals, for it
tends to give the music more body."

The world has become inundated with the Latin American
influence. With such musicians as Ricky Martin and Jennifer
Lopez hitting international stardom, Latin music has become a
mainstream form of entertainment. Jakarta has also adopted the
fondness of the South American groove.

"It's the wave right now, everyone loves Latin music's
sensuality and passion... it has grown internationally over the
past two years," Claudia said.

Numerous establishments around the city have hired musicians
and dancers from the region to impress Indonesia with their many
talents.

"It makes me feel alive" exclaimed a gentleman on the dance
floor. "Dancing to this music makes me believe I have rhythm,
even if I don't!" joked another. Jakarta has welcomed the Latin
influence, as may be seen from the fact that Los Numero Uno
performed for the second time on RCTI's 008 variety show on Aug.
21.