It feels like yesterday when we moved to a new venue after the old one didn’t wish to support our jazz community event any longer. It was the last week of September when, finally we rebooted the event in Braga CityWalk and changed the name to Braga Jazz Walk. We reset the count back to one but kept the rule of the game. Three showcases and one open jam session up to the end, until the mall ends its service. From one edition to another, all of a sudden we have come to the 10th edition. As usual, together with our partner in crime, the Braga CityWalk and KPH Music, the Braga Jazz Walk #10 showcased assorted flavors of jazz, played by mostly young talents. What’s unique is that in this edition one could find the connection and harmony between artists who grow in the communities: those who have taken the road earlier and the younger ones. These more ‘senior’ musicians began their musical path from jazz communities but look at where they stand now. The young ones can learn from them, how and what did they do to achieve success by having communities as the start point.
We once promised to bring special tribute once in a while. We began with a tribute to Joe Sample and the (Jazz) Crusaders a couple of months ago, courtesy of Chakraborty (read the report here). In this edition we highlighted a living legend, so unique in style as his music covers wide area from glam rock to pop to RnB. Plenty of his songs are evergreens (he has placed more than 50 top 40 hits), he has sold no less than 300 million albums, he won Grammy many times since 1972, one Academy Awards (Oscar) and 4 Tony Awards. He’s been in the industry for over 50 years without ever losing passion even a bit. His long time fans would remember him for his eccentric/wild stage costumes, but for us, it’s his signature baritone voice and ability to make beautiful melodious songs are the things that make him immortal. He is Elton John.
But before the tribute appeared, a young but highly skillful and fully experienced pianist Christ Stanley gave his solo jazz piano recital. He was supposed to appear in a trio formation with Okki Jatikesuma and Puspallia Panggabean, but alas, they couldn’t make it. Showing a good professional musicianship and commitment, Stanley decided to keep going even alone, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Miles Davis’ “All Blues” launched first and directly showed his mastery specifically on jazz piano. Stanley began to embrace jazz piano since 20 years old. Interestingly, he began from a jazz community in Bandung, Klab Jazz. He grew there, gaining more and more experience while digging knowledge from mentors like Mochamad Yahya Salam, Henry Virgan, Nial Djuliarso and plenty of workshops. He’s been busy with many groups including the sensational Halfwhole Project, his trio, quartet, quintet and so on. He is the pianist for Danilla.
The Beatles’ classic “Blackbird” appeared nicely in complex composition yet natural with jazz and blues inside. “Gonna Be Alright” continued the high level structures and then he reached the end with Thelonious Monk’s masterpiece, “Straight No Chaser.” All the songs he played were standards, you thought you knew the songs, yet he could make it as if those were his own. Flowing naturaly, complex in high difficulty yet felt simple and easy to enjoy. What a nice first round.
No one denies his awesomeness playing in any formation, but it’s rare for us to see him doing solo jazz piano recital. Performing alone often needs more than just skill. The player has to be able to carry the role, own the stage and bring everything full in order to meet the audience satisfaction. Does Stanley have it? Yes. We have seen him developing throughout the years, either at the community he grows, Klab Jazz and other events from small to big, prestigious ones. He has transformed to be a reliable jazz entertainer including a trustable one man show. He has the skill, he possesses good vibe, even his ability to sing could definitely steal your heart. As we don’t find pure jazz solo piano recital that often anymore especially in Indonesia, Stanley is the one to look for. Smooth and sweet swingin’ performance that worked perfectly for Valentine’s Day.
Move on to the second act, the tribute. It’s not easy to find someone who could bring the cool impression of Elton John, since the person has to be able to play piano and sing at the same time, has to have the charisma and of course, the baritone voice. That’s why we were happy when we met Andre Arizky, who actually admitted to be highly inspired by Elton John. When we invited him to perform at Braga Jazz Walk #06, he delivered a couple of Elton John’s classic really well. So we thought, we don’t he just make a tribute to Elton instead? Andre agreed and happily took it.
The Academy Award winning song for Elton John fom Lion King “Circle of Life” opened up his session that directly showed how good he covered Elton John both in piano playing and the Barritone voice. Elton John’s gem from seventies “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” sounded really nice from him as well. Then he went back o the Lion King soundtrack “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” before picking another evergreen, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”. A song that we always dearly love, “Rocket Man” was perfect from him. As much as we enjoyed his performance, this lovely song was the final from him.
Rizky was in Rising Star Indonesia 2014 and made it to Top 36 Wall Riser. He also competed in StarVoices season 3, and currently tries his luck in X Factor Indonesia 2015. As for Elton John, a legend like him should be placed above genres, especially since his songs are sung in countless of styles by artists/people all over the world over the years. We are happy to have a tribute to Elton John at Braga Jazz Walk and certainly proud to have such talent like Andre. Let’s wish him all the best for competing in X Factor. Based on his talent, passion, ability and effort, this man should be one of the serious contender.
The last shot was filled by young guns who are all active as praise and worship team in their churches. The band’s called In & Out, with guitarist Andreas Johan brought in his friends including Cakra Khan’s bassist Reinhard Woran and two Out of 7 members: Widiyanto Sutanto (keyboard) and the sensational girl drummer Marissa Wiguna (drums). True, we never heard this team play before, but we do know the members very well. We know they are highly skillful and capable to bring out action. We believe they would be surprising and it turned out to be true.
In & Out showcased top notch jazz rock rendition with well known standards including Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”, Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island” and Chick Corea’s “Got a Match”. As you can see, these are not easy songs to pick. And for your information, the band is just a week old, built especially for Braga Jazz Walk. Yet these brave young lads and the fearless lady took all the risk in bringing these masterpieces.
More than enough rooms for each of them to do the solo run, their facial expression glowed happily. Widiyanto as usual let his fingers danced some free jazz, Marissa on drums gave no mercy, Reinhard let out some unpredictable walking bass and Andreas rocked his way on the surface. It was a thrilling joyride from start to finish.
We are always excited when a new jazz-oriented band is formed, and even more excited when we know the quality of the players inside the band. In & Out is still a week old, but these young guns are fluent in playing jazz rock. They are fun to watch, ear and eye catchy. Since the band is promising, we hope they keep the band alive and look for opportunities to go higher. What can a week-old band do, you say. Well, In & Out proved that it can go further than you think. It was refreshing, a stunner.
Jam Session took place immidiately. The team of Jerry Gates (guitar), Joo Yang (drums), Yosua Setiawan (bass) and Billy (vocal) went bossa with “Girl from Ipanema”. Shortly after Andre Fernando joined Joo Yang and Yosua and delivered one song. Since it was already late, the photo session wrapped this 10th edition.
This edition interestingly featured all young players serving variety of jazz with their own ways. There was player who have taken the road earlier, hatched and grew in jazz community and then achieved success, then there was a very potential rising star and a group of skillful musicians, playing jazz tight and clean. Then, we also have to mention the jamming squad, consists of those who regularly come and participate in the jam session. They all created a good run in this 10th edition.
Watch the highlight of Braga Jazz Walk 10 on our Youtube channel:
NEXT STOP: BRAGA JAZZ WALK SPECIAL EDITION: PRE EVENT JAVA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2015
Featuring Multi-National Artists (from Indonesia, Mexico and Italy)
Before we wrap up this coverage, allow us to have your attention. The next stop of Braga Jazz Walk, on February 26, 2015 Braga Jazz Walk is going to become the Java Jazz Festival 2015 Pre Event for Bandung. This speical edition will feature multi-national artists including Israel Varela (Mexico/drums), Nita Aartsen (Indonesia/piano) and Daniele Cappucci (Italy/bass) as VAC featuring Yeppy Romero (Indonesia/acoustic guitar), then the marawis/darabuka ensemble Batavicada featuring Marcello Allulli (Italy/saxophone) plus some local performers. There will be Drum Clinic by Varela, former student of Dave Weckl and played with Pat Metheny and Mike Stern among others. The clinic and concert are both totally FREE as always. It’s time to show that jazz is really happening in Bandung and we are loud minority!
See more pictures:
Reporter: Riandy Kurniawan
Photographer: Titus Firmanto
Video Editor: Vierna Mariska