"If you have to ask what jazz is, you'll never know."? Louis Armstrong
Heading for the eleventh annual Jazz Festival Java, the Macet was particularly cruel. Stuck on a strange planet riddled smoke ruled by machines called Kijang and Avanza, we could only moan softly, clutching our tickets for probably the most exciting music event in Indonesia, wondering if we will actually miss it all at this rate . Finally, we walked the last mile of the Jakarta International Expo. Access and parking to the festival seems to get worse every year, and organizers desperately need to do something about it.
Nevertheless, Java Jazz supposedly attracts more than 120,000 visitors, 100 artists and 1,000 musicians from home and abroad every year. 2015 headliners were about as close to jazz as you can get (certainly far more than in previous years), in the form of Jessie J, a large-Longé Londoner, and Christina Perri, an American singer-songwriter nondescript - both of which are best described by this practical tote, "pop." It is clear that this year the organizers have tried to appeal to a wider audience, younger.
Avoid these, I made a beeline for the number one act on my list, a relatively new soul sensation on the jazz scene. Jarrod Lawson
Lawson was a few minutes of his game, but we had not missed the best bits and grabbed a spot right in front. Immediately, it was clear that the monitors gave him trouble; and when I was talking to Lawson after the show, it became clear that he could not hear the piano all the time - but that did not stop to put on a consummate performance
.Lawson brand of soul jazz is both "now" and timeless. Its broad influences are easily identifiable, but funked-up beats and spiritual words, he makes his own. His voice has the nuance, depth and curve (one of) his hero live Stevie Wonder, and it was the witness-tingling spinal column. My favorites were a preview of a track called 'Soul Symphony' from her new album to come, and the lead track from 2014 debut, Jarrod Lawson , "Music and magic way ".
Incognito booming
I asked Lawson to experience the festival and Indonesia in general. The answer was full of the same thoughtful, good humanitarian desire that his words speak of the "It's hard for me to separate being in the bubble [the festival] poverty that you see outside in the streets." crowd, he seemed unfazed by the habit (which really bothers me) audiences here to sit, even right on the ground, when there is an electrifying live performance going on. Instead, he was pleased with the participation and expressed his gratitude for being a part of Java Jazz. I bet he is back with a sequel even more in the future.
Other international acts include Chris Botti, smooth jazz saxophonist; Bobbi McFerrin, a veteran of the festival; and collective irrepressible Brooklyn, Snarky Puppy. local talent outnumbered abroad and highlights, like the famous Naturally 7, and Idang Rasjidi (who scats in Indonesian, in an atmosphere George Benson) lit the scene for many. Dewi Hermanto festival said "we have every year, it is a source of national pride."
Onwards to headline Saturday, Chaka Khan with Incognito. crashes crazy festival posing queues are another problem organizers face. The teenage staff "security" had zero control over the crowd, and a glass door trembled pressure buildup. Once inside he was still Mayhem - probably caused by a very odd decision to have rows of seats instead of standing space. Not so for headliner Jamie Cullum last year in the same room, and although it has undergone some groups spots Kumbaya sitting on the floor, at least their fans could get closer to the stage and create a certain atmosphere. However, there were three-quarters of the way through the show before safety lifted a barrier, allowing fans to get up and dance rather than sitting like bored schoolchildren on their phones, turning in performance instead of living it.
Jarrod Lawson
But - Chaka yet obtained. At 61, she looks great, hit those high screams like it was 1984. Opening on a cracker, 'I Feel For You "was great and she kept pace with' Is not Nobody '. "Tell Me Something Good 'gave Khan the chance to play with the crowd, get the guys and girls singing the famous chorus to another. It was then that I noticed how many people were singing along word for word, creating a harmonious atmosphere of well-being fans like-minded.
Khan took a break, allowing Incognito to treat us with severe acid jazz. Bandleader Bluey regaled us with stories of childhood dream of his last group: Stevie on the keys, George Benson on rhythm guitar, himself (naturally) on lead, and the legendary song Chaka Khan - a dream that was come true tonight, and a heartfelt message for aspiring musicians in the audience. The group was on fire - they ripped in the set-list fantasy of a fan: 'Good Love', 'every day', and touch the star of the show was the purple haired singer Katie Leone, whose " Another friend of mine. vocal prowess was phenomenal -. a true force to be reckoned with
Finally, Khan returned to generously give the greatest fans success they were looking for, including 'Through the Fire "and" What Cha' Gonna Do For Me '. Khan had a message for us before embarking on his last song, "I'm Every Woman": "It is not just a song for women. If you are a guy and you want to get down to it, you go ahead. "And many a man does.
Bring on next year. If someone has a rescue helicopter that I can use to transport well, let me know.