26 edition, 26 packs of action, 26 steps of jazz regeneration process. That’s the essence of our journey so far with our regular monthly event, Braga Jazz Walk. Since day one we have been setting our course in pushing up the regeneration of jazz musicians, motivating, challenging and supporting the young musicians to do their passion in order to keep the jazz development especially in our hometown, Bandung alive.
So far we have seen many impressive newcomers coming and growing on this stage. There are new bands and comebacks, there are established bands promoting albums and numerous interesting projects. What makes us proud is that we have welcomed many long time experienced musicians come to greet the community and give them example of what they can become in the future.
From time to time we keep our eyes on the bands/musicians’ progress by reinviting them. Not only that, we also cooperate with other jazz communities in a wish to support one another. So, regeneration process is on the top of our concern, but at the same time we want to give jazztertainment to the society, letting everyone know the colorful world of jazz, so the stigma that jazz is outdated, too difficult to understand or segmented can be well countered.
The Braga Jazz Walk #26 is right around the corner. This edition is coming soon on 18 August 2016, just a day after the Indonesian Independence Day celebration. Located as usual at the heart of the historical Braga street, the Braga CityWalk. The show will start at 7:00 pm and will go on until 10:00 pm when the mall ends its service hours. Again, in order to secure enough time for jam session, we will showcase only three bands. We believe this will be a good choice too for the featured bands because then they can have comfortable time to play.
Now let’s take a look at the performers. First, let’s welcome the new swingin’ duo, JANE & BO. This duo consists of jazz singer Jane Doe and guitarist Opik Bape. Seems like this pairing was established through fate, because it happened when Opik looked for a new team after his duo Agis Bape put to sleep, and Jane in search for new team mate after coming home from Netherlands. Opik is experienced in working in a duo. Other than his long-time partnership with Agis Kania, he did really well in teaming up with Arief Ginanjar in Satura, a guitar duo playing the Gypsy swing the way Django Reinhardt did in Paris around 70 years ago.
Jane has soft, silky soulful voice with thick jazz vibe which is perfect in singing jazz standards from the collections of George/Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Cole Porter and so on. As for Opik, he is a skillful fingerstyle guitarist who can cover melody and rhythm all together, as well as producing the comfortable dynamic for any singer he is playing with. It’s time to go vintage, visiting the beauty of golden swing era in such sound that is still relevant to the modern times.
While doing our part in live event, we don’t just create, host and publish it, we also establish a connection with jazz teachers in searching for young potential/special talents. We keep ourselves updated with them and exchange ideas and give input when needed so these diamond in a rough will soon find their way to shine. In the 19th edition we featured a full jazz spirited 13 year-old boy. His name is Philip Manfred.
This talented boy is a student of Yahya Salam who teaches at Venche Music School and Bandung Conservatory of Music. This boy has learnt piano since 5 year-old, but then showed interest in jazz 4 years later in 2013. Yahya Salam has been his teacher ever since, equipping him with basic knowledge, technique, harmony, improvisation and any other things needed to be able to play jazz the right way. Yahya Salam is definitely the answer, since he is a senior jazz teacher where so many successful pianists today began with.
Philip can already do bebop improvisations. He understands how to execute the standards correctly, even doing the pre-jazz songs like for example Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer”. what makes him different is not only the ability to play complex composition on piano in such young age, but he is also magnificent in saxophone. Under the guidance of Alfred D Ampouw, he is a soulful jazz saxophonist who is capable to breathe life into the song.
According to Yahya, Philip needs more than regular duration in having his lesson. Now he is going further, not only as a player but also a band leader. From his first appearance at this event a couple of months ago, now he has a trio called PHILIP MANFRED TRIO. Joining him are the double ‘A’, Alman Naufal (drum) and Aries Ardiansyah (bass). We know he is a remarkable young musician, but now he has higher level of challenge as a band leader. We think it’s important for musician to learn playing as/in a band, because they have to learn how to play with others and also, to learn about the tempo. Yahya Salam actually thought the same and worked on it a couple of months ago. How will Philip do this time, and how well will he be as a band leader? Let’s check him out.
One of the good things in Bandung jazz scene lately is the birth of many new bands. Let’s welcome one of them born a couple of months ago that uses a simple and straight-forward name, BARU (means: New). This band is the next journey of three friends: Farhan Faikar (bass), Raka Rizkyandi (drums) and Wahyu Andrian (guitar) after their band MotionVibe got discontinued for about a year. Farhan told us that they needed a new to fulfill their passion and a fresh atmosphere to begin with. That became the reason of giving birth to this band. Standing as the vocalist in Baru is Drastian (vocal).
Farhan and Raka have been playing together since high school, establishing connection as musical soulmate. Other than MotionVibe, they are together in GFRtrio (with the late Guntur Satria) and currently work as the band of Rizka Adlina.
Speaking of music concept, they seem to carry on what’s left from MotionVibe, rooting in Pop Jazz/RnB. We want to know how this band is, what they are going to offer and yes, we want to give our support. They are ready to make their first apperance on Braga Jazz Walk’s stage, let’s give them a warm welcome.
Jam session will be provided after the showcases. Whoever you are, whatever your musical background is, you are welcome to become a part of our event.
The Braga Jazz Walk is a regular community event runs every third Thursday of each month, made by Jazzuality.com in cooperation with Braga CityWalk and KPH Music. Support our community if you wish to ee the good regeneration process of jazz musicians in Bandung and if you are looking for colorful jazz entertainment. Remember, it’s coming on August 18, 2016. Mark your calendar and hope to see you soon.
BRAGA JAZZ WALK #26
Date: Thursday, August 18, 2016
Time: 07:00 – 10:00 pm
Location: Braga CityWalk
Jl. Braga 99 – 101, Bandung
FREE EVENT!
FEATURING:
:: JANE & BO ::
Jane Doe – vocal
Opik Bape – guitar
:: PHILIP MANFRED TRIO ::
Philip Manfred – piano/saxophone
Aries Ardiansyah – bass
Alman Naufal – drum
:: BARU ::
Farhan Faikar – bass
Raka Rizkyandi – drums
Wahyu Andrian – guitar
Drastian – vocal