“Do you claim yourself as a jazz music fan? Well, not if you haven’t been to North Sumatra Jazz Festival #7 yet!” That’s what the organizers said in their instagram a couple of days ago in one of their promos. They have a good reason to say it, because since the first edition in 2011 this festival has shown itself as a festival with character.
While they have presented many great bands/artists from Indonesia, even some superbands and legends from the chairman’s band Erucakra & C Man, Sherly O, Fusion Stuff, Bintang Indrianto Trio++, Rieka Roslan, Yovie Widianto Fusion, Ligro, Donny Suhendra Project, Balawan, Iwanouz, Agam Hamzah with Rafli Wa Saja, Reza Artamevia, Bertha, Teza Sumendra, Barry Likumahuwa, Echa Soemantri, Ricad Hutapea to Keenan Nasution, Emerald BEX and Krakatau Reunion, this event has invited shining international musicians from around the world such as from Norway: Espen Eriksen Trio, from Malaysia: Steve Thornton and Suhu, from Korea: Phil Yoon Group and from USA: native Lebanese Jamal Mohamed, Jonathan Jones and Jeff Lorber. All these top stars were found in the previous 6 editions.
What we admire from the North Sumatra Jazz Festival (NSJF) is, even with these mouth-watering lineup, this event never leave the local wisdom, art and culture behind. They always include the local musicians and the communities from jazz and traditional musics from variety of tribes existed in North Sumatra. From pure jazz to fusion, from modern to ethnic, from legends to newcomers, all have built a solid foundation and shaped this festival with strong character and uniqueness in just 6 years.
Now, the 7th NORTH SUMATRA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2017 is just a couple of days to go! This 2017 edition is coming soon on Friday, 20 October 2017 at the Grand Ballroom of JW Marriott, Medan, starting from 7:30 pm til drop.
The chairman promises this event to be spectacular and innovative. We have no doubt of that, as he and the rest of the committee has changed the music map of Medan for being a rock-based city for decades to be a jazzy metropolitan. But probably you want to know who will brighten up this edition don’t you? Let’s take a closer look at them!
First, a big news for Medan because the mega-star TULUS is set to join this year’s ensemble. Who doesn’t know him today? We have known him from his early days many years ago and amazed by his smooth, satin thick crooning voice. But then, he rose like a meteor with his single “Sewindu”, and the rest is history. He emerged as the force in Indonesian music, and for us, helped to bring jazz more acceptable among the society especially the youngsters. Knowing how much he struggled to succeed, we are so happy to see where he is at today.
Eventhough he brings in the genre he began with into his popularity, he successfully shines with many other corners he grew up with too such as Soul, Folk, Baroque Pop and Brit Pop. He is a crooner, but he is soulful too. So, Medan people, you will have the chance to taste his Soul Jazz delights which in a way tributing the artists like Marvin Gaye, Grover Washington Jr , Chuck Mangione and Bruce Hornsby among others. Besides his 5-star voice, this young man is a genius in writing lyrics, which can make something poetic sounds so simple and acceptable, and lovely, ear-catchy melody that anyone be able to hum or sing after hearing it. Also, his familiar, friendly and connected performance always creates a heart-felt moments. Since we are sure you are all familiar with his songs, you in Medan can go sing along with him as he will appear in person at this year’s NSJF. It’s a rare chance, so make sure you won’t miss him!
Time to get jazzy with the world maestro of contemporary Western classical orchestra, violinist, violist, conductor, writer, teacher ED VAN NESS. Ed Van Ness came from New Jersey, USA and John Cage School of Music whom introduced the minimalist string orchestral from the works of South Indian Classical composer to Terry Riley, especially his famous composition “In C” (1964). He presented “Terry Riley ‘In C’ Indonesia part I in in Medan along with the chairman/founder of the fest, Erucakra Mahameru.
Van Ness has lived and worked in Indonesia for over 3 decades, including in Medan where he established the music department in mid 80’s and became the head of the music department of Medan International School. As he has quite experience in Carnatic South Indian music and linked to many legendary musicians from there from L. Subramaniam and L. Shankar, Van Ness has been known as an instructor who teaches Classical Indian Music in North Sumatra University. This world-renowned clinician, conductor and adjudicator is set to perform alongside Erucakra. From what we heard, Ed van Ness and Erucakra is working on Terry Riley “In C” Indonesia Part II for this edition.
Before we get down to other participating artists, let’s talk about the ‘resident band’ first, the Erucakra & C Man. This band is a straight proof of Medan Jazz’s success story. Erucakra is the alumnus of Berklee College of Music who decided to keep staying in Medan instead of moving to the capital like probably what most of musicians do. This decision’s proved to be right, because he’s able to make phenomenal achievement by producing top hits “Aranti’s Code” in iTunes USA and Europe (2010). With his band, the C Man he has landed on the largest jazz festival in South Korea, the 9th Daegu Jazz Festival last year and currently in a world tour which is still going on until next year. This band has a unique signature he likes to refer as Neo Progressive Jazz. You want to know how this sub genre sounds like? Or perhaps you want to know why they became a world-acclaimed band? If so, don’t miss this pride of Medan Jazz.
Now, let’s see the rest of the highlights: CHELSEA HADI and STEVEN ALDO. Chelsea Hadi rose to fame after her participation in 2014’s Indonesian Idol. She doesn’t only sing in one genre, and now she has the chance to bring out her best in R&B Jazz area on this fest’s stage.
Steven Aldo is a really multi-talented man. He sings, raps, works as a DJ, composer, song writers, also a photographer and active in video/movie production. Through his dedication, he has created pieces of songs from many sources. At this festival under EDM Jazz Jamming MAHASORA he will make something different: collaborating Jazz, EDM music and Indian instrument! How will that sound? Check that out yourself by watching his show. Don’t forget the latest name joining the lineup: TITO, representing the neo Broadway.
Soul Jazz, R&B Jazz, EDM Jazz Jamming, Neo Progressive Jazz, Neo Broadway and Jazz Classical with splashes of Ethnics are the goodies you will find in the 7th North Sumatra Jazz Festival. The committee says this: “A class of national and international performers are going to entertain you with their amazing skill, so do not expect ordinary!” If you have any plan to be in Medan next week, especially if you live in Medan, be sure to come and enjoy this annual jazz fest!
North Sumatra Jazz Festival 2017
Date: Friday, 20 October 2017
Time: 7:30 pm onwards
Location: Grand Ballroom JW Marriott Medan
Ticket price:
Gold: IDR 500k
Silver: IDR 300k
Bronze: IDR 150k
Get your ticket at:
Harian Waspada
ET 45 Sun Plaza
ET 45 Cambridge Mall
For more info and booking/reservation: +62 811607710
and log on to: http://northsumatrajazzfestival.com