“Surabaya, you’re really cool!” shouted Rieka Roeslan as one of this year’s participating artists for Magnum Filter Urban Jazz Crossover
at the press conference held after the show in Surabaya. Yes! Finally
Surabaya got the chance to experience the magical Urban Jazz Crossover
which now has reached its fifth year in service. This annual event has
been clearly noted as an annual gala jazz event and eagerly awaited by
music lovers in Surabaya. If in Bandung the number of audiences was said
to reach 4000, in Surabaya no less than 4500 people filled the Grand City Convention Hall. That exceeded the expectation of everyone, especially the organizer and artists.
The music lovers in general, whether they are into jazz or not, are
definitely digging this show. The evidence can be seen in the previous
four editions or in this year’s case, we can trace it by the result in
two previous cities, Medan and Bandung.
(Click each city to read our report respectively). The concept of
blending many genres (crossover) into jazz provides some kind of
atmosphere that can easily be accepted by just about anyone. Further
more, this also shows how open jazz is towards other music genres,
styles or disciplines, far from the way some people took jazz as a
strictly segmented or even old minded. In every edition, the Magnum
Filter Urban Jazz Crossover always offers interesting blends between
jazz and so many other genres from rock, pop, bossa/Latins, rap/hiphop,
ethnics and so on. If last year they made a breakthrough by involving dangdut in, this year they have made another remarkable step by involving Keroncong
into the concept. It’s certainly not easy to combine keroncong and
jazz, because both has their own patterns, styles or ways of playing.
The surprise or unpredictable factor is definitely the thing that’s been
awaited by most of this show’s fans. The cooking part might be
difficult, yet they can always present it really friendly to anyone’s
ears.
They select songs that are familiar to general listeners, either the
evergreens or today’s chart toppers, the lineup selections are
magnificently made by involving legends, cross-genre popular artists and
rising stars and let’s not forget the high-tech stage concept including
the use of advanced multimedias like super-cool hologram that can make artists appear and dissapear, video
mapping, big screens, 150.000 watt of lightings and 60.000 watt of
sound. The stage is also used as an integrated part of the show,
something which was planned carefully by Dji Sam Soe. The brand manager
of Magnum Filter Andre Muljadi even worked over hours
in checking the scene frame by frame. In other word, stage concept plays
a very important part in Urban Jazz Crossover.
Speaking of crossover, Andre Muljadi also believes that this could
become a new genre that has a place in music lovers’ hearts. Therefore
it should be maintained and carried more further, where Urban Jazz
Crossover can always be the perfect vehicle for that.
Surabaya audience seemed to be really enthusiastic as shown by their
responses. Why not? Everything’s packed into one that can bring full
satisfaction to the audience. What’s even amazing is the very friendly
ticket price. This year the music director Viky Sianipar, team arrangers/composers Ali Akbar and Raynhard Lewis-Pasaribu
and the participating artists worked hand in hand in presenting better
concept in terms of song selection, more collaborations and more
lively-flowing performance.
The freedom of creativity plays a big deal too in Urban Jazz Crossover, especially in interpreting the theme of Jazz The Way Like It.
To get into that peak, Viky explained after show that while we enjoyed
it for about 3 hours, it actually took long creative process. In each
rehearsal they made many adjustments and changes. What’s great about
this is that the musicians were involved in creating the concept. They
have been giving supports and inputs to one another. So the spirit of
togetherness and feeling like they are working in their own show was
created, thus they breathed fresh air towards the Urban Jazz Crossover
itself. Therefore, eventhough they are touring
with same concepts and repertoire from one city to another, there’s
always a new sensation that makes it different with other place. The
energy and synergy between participating musicians also stands as the
key factor of Urban Jazz Crossover’s success.
As stated before, the song selection is also seriously taken into
consideration. How rock songs from group such Creed, Maroon 5 or REM can
be suited into jazz? Or how the timeless keroncong Bengawan Solo would
appear in jazz tune? At this year’s edition, these all came to life.
Why keroncong? That one question appeared at the first Press
Conference held 2 days before the show. Viky said, “Why not? Keroncong
is one of our own greatest treasure, and it’s rarely crossed with jazz”.
That was a big challenge for Viky. He admitted that he underestimated
the difficulty at first but later found out that it’s actually not easy
at all. He even said that the creation was finally came into sense just a
couple of days before the show began. Keroncong should be looked as
one-whole package integratedly. “It wouldn’t work if you only deal with
the singing voices without looking at the music construction.” he said.
“At least there are three elements required in it to make it work…that’s
difficult, but I’m happy and satisfied with the result.” he added
furthermore.
Now let’s see what was happening in the show. DJ Odotto gave a catchy opening with his turntable before the rising male vocalist Bayu Risa started the hysteria with Michael Jackson’s classic “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. Blazing percussions of Iwan Wiradz and energetic rapper Kyriz Boogiemen
added up more actions in this first act. Bayu carried on with “Missing”
firstly brought popular by Everything But The Girl to rose the
intensity. Then the soulful lady Millane Fernandez did a
duet with Bayu Risa on KLa Project’s hit, “Tentang Kita”. Appeared in
white dress with mini pieces that showed her beautifull legs on stage,
no doubt, Millane succeeded in raising up the temperature even more with
the bossa version of “My Sacrifice” from Creed. “So, does anybody what
the next song will be?” teased Millane right before she sang EMF’s
“Unbelievable” that tied on the edge by beautiful voice of Intan Soekotjo plus in rocking hip hop by Kyriz Boogiemen. What a fine combination!
The hard work of Viky and the team in fitting keroncong into jazz
sound was paid in full when Intan Soekotjo sang “Bengawan Solo”
beautifully in Urban Jazz Crossover tradition. The Collaboration between
Millane, Intan and Kyriz plus solo violin from Didiet worked really well in front.
As usual, Urban Jazz Crossover always features bona-fide rocker in
every edition. Andi RIF, Ipank and Achmad Albar are the names who have
tasted it, this year the chance is being given to Yukie PAS Band.
With Titiek Puspa’s “Mari Kemari”, the natural-born rocker successfully
did his first run. He carried on with REM’s “Loosing My Religion” in
reggae beat over jazz tunes. In the midst of his performance, the
audience became more involved when Yukie and Kyriz asked the audience to
provide rhythms with their hands. That was to accompany Yukie’s touch
on David Guetta feat Usher’s “Without You”.
Surprise after surprise served on the stage made the crowds trapped in awe. The entertaining collaboration between Andien and popular bassist Barry Likumahuwa
brought more flames. The coquettish act of Andien towards Barry while
singing “Cinta Ini Membunuhku” made the crowds once again cheered. The
brass team added up more tones into this one. Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams ”
unexpectedly brought cool by the combination of Andien and Intan. some
keroncong twists by Intan blended harmoniously with Andien’s swingy
singing. Magically their collaboration created such rich, vibrant
colors.
The teasing stage act between Andien and Barry still continued on with Sheila On 7′s “Dan”. The crowds were shocked when Indra Lesmana
was spotted appearing through the hologram. Not long after that, the
real Indra Lesmana appeared with his melodica and created a thick jazz
layers by his presence. The collaboration of Indra, Andien and Barry was
truly magnificent.
Time to catch the breath then? No, because next an Indonesian legends
which started his popularity in the 80s and made Indonesia proud by his
success in many world’s festivals Harvey Malaiholo got his chance. Standing under a classy spotlight, Harvey sang Padi’s “Begitu Indah” in royal swing.
As the song is very popular, he turned the Surabaya crowds into one
gigantic choir. How happy the crowds were when Harvey sang his own hit
“Dia” right after. The flowing salsa plus dancers made this session
stood as a lively party. Once again the hologram took part, this time
projecting Rieka Roeslan which directly did a lovely duet with Harvey
over Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” which won three Grammy Awards this
year for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Short Form Music
Video.
What would happen if Indra Lesmana and Rieka Roslan collaborated
without anyone else on stage? That created magic. Together they
presented “Soldier of Fortune” in an arrangement that could give
goosebumps to anyone in the hall. No need to put any stage effects or
even too much lightings for them, because the collaboration itself
already stood as something magical. At the end of this song, Rieka and
Indra greeted the audience plus words by Indra, stating how proud he was
to play again in Surabaya. “I’m very proud to be here, because a lot of
great jazz musicians were born and raised in this city. That includes
my father Jack Lesmana, Embong Raharjo, Bubi Chen, and so on. There
wouldn’t be any jazz in Indonesia if there was no Surabaya” he said.
That made the crowds clapped their hands as a way to state how proud
they are to live in an important city in Indonesia’s history of jazz.
After Rieka closed her appearance with Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life”, the audience again popped big time when the eagerly awaited Tompi
finally came in. “Moves Like Jagger”, the most recent hits from Maroon 5
featuring Christina Aguilera was pinned wonderfully by him accompanied
by Barry Likumahuwa, Didiet violin and Kyriz Boogiemen. Tompi’s scatting
ability and his way to challenge existing instruments on stage turned
out to be an exciting treat. He played with Didiet Violin, trumpeter Brury Effendi
and threw funny jokes and melody trading with Barry Likumahuwa brought
more entertainment. Tompi even mumbled a little part of “Cukup Sudah”, a
famous hit of his friend Glenn Fredly accompanied by Barry’s bass.
Tompi carried on with Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” in nu-jazz
style followed by Java Jive’s “Gerangan Cinta” in a duet with Bayu Risa.
At the end of the show, Kyriz Boogiemen introduced the whole band
members one by one. Katy Perry’s famous song “Fireworks” became the
closing song where all supporting artists climbed back onto the stage
and gave a sweet ending to the crowds.
The whole show made everyone happy. “It’s worthed to wait. The show
was unbelievable!” said one of the audiences after the show. Some of
them were already at the venue 2 hours before the show, but it all paid
off fully with how the show went. Just like in previous visited cities,
the theme of Jazz The Way You Like It became reality. This is the show
which is set to be rich in concept, full with magic and served
integratedly by combining lots of factors to bring the spirit of
crossover. Targeting the adult music lovers, Dji Sam Soe Magnum Filter,
the music director, arrangers, musicians and singers definitely hit the
target bullseye. For some it’s the modern way to enjoy jazz, for some
others it’s the chance to feel the openness of jazz towards other
genres. In a bigger scene, this event once again served one grand party
that will not be easy to forget. The music lovers in Surabaya has shown
big appreciation by attending and responding to the show, this
definitely created such positive energy that made every artists reached
their top performance.
Medan, Bandung and Surabaya now has tasted the madness. Two more cities to visit: Semarang (30/6) and Jakarta (13/7). If you’re living in those cities or nearby, we’ll give a simple sentence to you: it’s a crime to miss it!
(http://jazzuality.com/jazz-event-report/magnum-filter-urban-jazz-crossover-2012-surabaya-report/)
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