Java Jazz Fest 07

Jakarta deserves a big applause, finally, for having held the Java Jazz Festival successfully for the third time. No ifs or buts, I had an orgasmic time and am going to spend a lot of space ranting about it, so excuse me.

First show, Airto Moreira, which is the one who looks rather like the late Saddam Hussein, started with a difficult tribal number, followed with intense latin rythms, did a perfect mix of hip-hop rap and brazilian beats, and ended with a Brazilian carnival arrangement, and the audience literally left their seats and danced. As my bro puts it: it’s the closest we’ll ever get to Brasil for the time being. (it may be worth noting that going to Brasil is on my list of things-to-do-before-I-die)

I’d also like to pay special tribute to his guitarist, who managed what I once thought was impossible:
A curly mohawk.

John Scofield was of course, as brilliant as John Scofield, so I will spare the elaboration, but would like to highlight instead his backing guitarist + computerist. I didn’t know Jazz could be so high-tech. The result was a very progressive mix of sounds touching up a strong funk root. It was deliciously fresh.

Marcus Miller got the audience into a frenzy of cheers and bopping heads with his funky bass grinds, accompanied by trumpet, sax, and… harmonica! Very unique instrument to improvise with, and so added a dash of pleasant eccentricity. Must borrow/steal bf’s harmonica and try my luck.

Lisa Ono was… sweet. That’s pretty much it. No surprises there, but deserves mentioning nonetheless because her arrangements are extremely adorable, great for those peaceful rainy mornings.














A tribute to the only Indonesian jazz pianists I watched is a must, so here they are, master and student, Bubi Chen (left) and Andi Wiriantono (right) in motion.








Japanese players Kimiko Itoh, Yosuke Onuma, and Koji Goto, teamed up with Fourplay’s Harvey Mason and gave a very charming classical jazz performance.






San Fransisco Jazz Collective featuring Joshua Redman… pure genius. They did a tribute to Thelonius Monk as well as some of their own creations. With asymmetrically harmonious compositions, the brass players were perfectly synchronized with one another, yet made seemingly effortless and flexible improvisations that draws you in like a magnet. I rose and fell with them, I felt the achingly beautiful phrases take control of me and I surrendered. In teenage-like awe, I managed to take a picture with Joshua Redman and ask for his autograph. (he looks rather like Vin Diesel :) )

Very happy! :)