Braga City Walk is launching its new event called Bragalicious, a culinary festival for 5 straight days that’s planned to run a couple of times a year. If before there was Braga Culinary Night, now this concept is adopted by the Braga City Walk to facilitate the society’s needs of finding foods and beverages in variety, including the artistic aspects.
Braga Jazz Walk which was created by Jazzuality.com in full cooperation with Braga City Walk and KPH Music that has been running regularly every two weeks since last month. We are happy to be able to participate in the grand launching, supporting it with exclusive live jazz performances. We invited three bands as usual that pretty much represent the history of Braga street and the hang-out folks that are usually found along the sidewalk.
The first turn was given to a band of university students, SSP. Stands for Suka Suka (As We Like) Project, this Padjadjaran University students band choose to go free with style and genre. They don’t want to be trapped in any corner, instead they want to be able to explore free as a bird. Jo (vocal), Ezra (keyboard), Fahmi (drum), Hiro (guitar), Rayan (bass) and the brass section consists of Widi (saxophone), Rifky (trumpet) and Djani (trombone) are the personnels of SSP that serves joy through their groovy and chillin’ light jazz-oriented songs.
Having a brass section, what to bring? Well, they streamed fast and high directly, taking on Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious”. Hiro’s written song, “Fantasi” took the lane of acid jazz bands like The Groove, catchy melody and lyrics that will have a success among the young music fans. After another groovy soul track from Eric Benét entitled “Spiritual Thang”, a ballad written also by Hiro titled “Terlambat” put us all in a mellow mood. Again, this song has the power to be a hit. If Tulus could do it with “Sewindu”, this one could too. Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” brought everyone safely back to the happy mood.
A band of campus students is always fun to watch. The youthful spirit, the playful mood in serving easy listening but ear catchy tunes. When we got a band like SSP, they have it all but also good skills in playing and rearranging the materials. Other than that they have original songs with strong potential that would do really well in the market. The combination of prime soulful male vocalist and highly capable musicians with the intention to share their happiness of playing music creates a warm atmosphere inside the Braga City Walk. What’s also great is that they brought loud, happening crowds too. We’re glad that SSP was here with us in this special edition.
For the next group, let’s begin with one question. How could we bring ‘Parijs van Java’ – the nickname of Bandung-, into life? Well, music can do that. Not many bands in Indonesia play it, but there’s a duo that brings the reminiscence of Parijs van Java in their concept: SATURA. They bring back the Gypsy Swing to the surface, as if it was still the era of Django Reinhardt and the other Romani guitarists, Paris-circa 1930.
Satura was born not that long ago, but when you hear them play, it feels like they have been playing together for decades. What they play is a heavenly stuff with swing articulation that has the Musette waltz with chromatic Gypsy style. Many historians believe that this style was invented by Django Reinhardt and became his legendary signature playing style. This style is difficult to play, especially by two guitarists. But Opik and Arief are equipped with magic fingers and united soul. They can play at maximum speed without any problem. Clean, tight and sharp, perfect in harmony.
The evidence can already be traced right from the start. Who could ever thought they would start with “Flinstones”? Not just the theme, but also played in in cool Gypsy swing style. Huge applauses were given to them. Then they carried on with “Lady Be Good” and rose the musette swing even happier with “Tiger Rag”.
For tonight they got empowered by one of the female vocalists that they often feature, Puspallia Panggabean. Like having an old soul, she has a perfect jazz tone and articulation, wide vocal range and high singing technique. She’s a living songbook since she memorizes so many songs. She’s charming and has a sweet smile. What’s not to love about her? After last week we were wowed by Agis Kania, now Puspall did it in her own way.
Puspallia Panggabean placed herself on stage to sing “Sweet Georgia Brown” that made us feel like enjoying the Parisien cafe in the 30’s. “Bye Bye Blackbird” and “Bluesette” became their next presentation that made them bag even louder cheers from the crowd. For the last song they surprised everyone with one of Ismail Marzuki’s masterpiece, “Sersan Mayorku” brought in multi-modulation technique based on the version of Bandanaira. Very, very difficult, but they did it really well.
The nickname “Parijs van Java” was given to Bandung for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back at the colonial times. According to many historians, Bandung attained the nickname actually from what was going on in Braga Street in the 20s. At that period, this particular street was already happening. There were chic cafes, restaurants, boutiques, European art deco buildings and flowery scents around. In year 2014 we thought it’d be nice to have the scene being captured in our mind. Thanks to Satura who ressurects this authentic vintage aromatic floral scent of French Gypsy scene, we could finally have it. C’était merveilleux! Merci Beaucoup.
And now, it’s time to see the mindbending musicality from 3 mad-men. The personnels should be five persons, but for this event they could only come by three. What to do with two players defisit? This band proved they had no problem at all with it. It was still a hillarious show where a new musical dimension came alive through the collision between two worlds. Wait, we forget mentioning the band. It’s the one and only, WEST JAVA SYNDICATE.
West Java Syndicate came alive in 2010 by Zahar Mustilaq, the drummer who actually live in between two spheres, the Sundanese traditional and the modern western music like jazz, blues, rock and so on. It didn’t take long for them to find the formula, but interestingly the personnels always love to explore and try new things, endlessly. Together with Yopi D Navis (keys) and Dede SP (bass), Dosenk (kendang/flute) and Randy Gevenk on woodwind section including tarumpet, karinding and bamboo flute, West Java Syndicate throws all the barricades to offer something unique. On the surface you might refer them as a band who plays Ethnic Progressive Jazz, but believe us when we say that they actually give more than just that.
From the very first song they already showed a high skilled-theatrical show. They were playful, humorous and totally interactive. The progressive ethnic was felt right from the first note with “Bubuka”. Then the folk song “Bajing Luncat” was delivered with wide room for improvisation. What a surprise to see another traditional song “Manuk Dadali” got an electronica treatment and served theatrical.
An original piece written by YD Navis titled “Tembang Katresna” (Love Song) was next. The last song was their first song, “Gending Rame ku Kendang”. “What we intend to say with this song is that kendang should have the same portion. Kendang can be a layer, it can do melodies as well.” said Zahar. The song is kendang-based composition, they didn’t have kendang player, yet they did really great in covering the loss. The solo bass in the middle was tight, and the other players poured the rest of energy they had left for an intense climax.
It was a mind-bending final act where the traditional Sundanese music got a rock and jazzitude treatment seamlessly. Acrobatic, entertaining, full of action, plenty of jokes, a ‘crazy’ package that amazingly served only by three fellows. Absolutely amazing.
Jam session took place after that, and coincidentally it became one hot blues jam. The guitarist of Firewire Blues Galura Wirayudanto was on stage along with SSP drummer Fahmi and bassist Rayan. On keyboard was Nicodemus Horisson of Owcindful and Chakraborty, while the mike was taken by an alumni of Rising Star Indonesia, Andre Arizky. “Come Together” and “Route 66″ were their choices.
Our MC Erick Gabe couldn’t help himself not to join. He did the scat singing and mouth trumpet along with the lineup. Then Danto moved to bass as a blues guitarist Idris took his place. Playing guitar and sing at the same time, Idris led the group towards the classic ballad lane with Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing”.
Another batch came in with Joo Yang behind the drums, Klency Lembono on keyboard, Yosua Setiawan (bass) and the Indonesian Idol 2014 alumni Yesaya Pangeran Muda Siagian sang Beyonce’s “Love on Top”. Puspall who apparently loves this song joined the gang as the photo session took place. As the vocalists were able to fly up high with their vocal, the signature modulation was done spontaneously several times. We would love to see more, but we have to wrapped it up since it was already late.
As the first-ever special edition of Braga Jazz Walk, we take this one as a beauty. And what makes us proud the most is the fact that it was carried by all-local bands that were all out to give a 5-star performance. Both Satura and West Java Syndicate should already have their career on international level based on their distinct/unique material, amazing skill and fine execution. They can really do it, we always believe so. As for SSP, this band of youngsters has been gaining more and more popularity among the UNPAD students that hopefully will bring them to the higher ground. Why not? They are entertaining, they have skills and they know what to do in cheering people up. And the jam session? It was hot and full of stars.
Bragalicious opens up a chance for everyone to enjoy the culinary festival. Plenty of food choices, variety of beverages from almost 50 brands/restaurants/cafes were found inside the modern-looking mall with art deco concept in the historical street, Braga City Walk. It’s also good to see that the programs of this mall are being integrated and supporting one another, and for us behind the Braga Jazz Walk, we’re happy to participate and hope this event contributed positively towards the success of it. May there be more edition to come, and if you ever need some jazz again in supporting the event from the entertainment side, count us in.
Thank you very much to the musicians, the partners, supporters, the Bragalicious peeps and the audience. The next stop of Braga Jazz Walk will be on November 12, 2014. We have prepared three groups for it. Need some hints? There will be piano-drum duo project, a new but solid trio and a large-sized band that will remind you of young Kahitna. Curious? Stay tuned and don’t forget to come back in two weeks from now. We’ll be there to jazz you up.
Watch the highlight in our Youtube channel
See more pictures:
Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan
Photographer: Titus Firmanto, Nia Kurniawati
Video Editor: Vierna Mariska Kurniawan