Music can accompany you through every single feeling and/or moment in your life, a good friend to be with whever you are, wherever you go, in any kind of activity. You listen to music while driving, you look for music to relax with, you share your sorrow, you go happy with it. Music would be perfect to accompany your dinner and beneficial in supporting any events. So now, think of this. Dinner, event/fest and music. Sounds good right? Well, that’s what you’re going to have this week.
The regular schedule of Braga Jazz Festival 3rd edition was just done last week. Normally we will be back again on the second Thursday of November. But since this week there’s a special culinary fest which will be served marathon from October 29th to November 2nd, 2014 called Bragalicious. To make this event merrier, Braga Jazz Walk will have a special edition as a part of (in a series of) Bragalicious Activities. So, jazz in a culinary fest? Why not. We are going to cook this one differently by presenting bands that in some ways may represent the spirit of Braga street from past to present. And of course, to fit the Bragalicious event.
First, let’s talk about a little history of Bandung for a while. The nickname “Parijs van Java” was given to Bandung for its resemblance to Paris and European atmosphere back at the colonial times. According to many historians, Bandung attained the nickname actually from what was going on in Braga Street in the 20s. At that time, this particular street was already happening. There were chic cafes, restaurants, boutiques, European art deco buildings and flowery scents around. That’s beautiful to imagine isn’t it? Now, what if we try to bring back the spirit in form of music, the music style from the 30’s era in Paris? The question is, is there any band who still play that vintage style? In Bandung? The answer is, yes there is! It’s SATURA.
Satura is a sensational acoustic guitar duo of Opik Bape and Dede Arief Ginanjar that most likely will be difficult to find anywhere else in Indonesia. Why? Because what they play is not just a simple acoustic jazz, but as we said, they dig something that reflects the beauty of jazz style originated in French around the 1930’s known as Gypsy Jazz or Jazz Manouche which many believed was invented by the phenomenal Django Reinhardt. Satura was formed not too long ago, but the souls of these dudes quickly submerged in this magical jazz style. The famous one among Romani guitarists who worked around Paris during the 30’s Django Reinhardt crafted the kind of music with traditional swing articulation but carried the then-popular Musette waltz with chromatic, mystical Gypsy flavor. Django has It’s still played by many musicians throughout the world, but it’s still rare to find in Indonesia, especially in Bandung. But now we have Satura who ressurects this authentic vintage aromatic floral scent of French Gypsy scene.
Often in Satura’s performance, the duo got empowered by one or two amazing female vocalists, Puspallia Panggabean and Agis Kania. Both of these young ladies are unbelievable in their own ways. magnificent, because they stand in between the old-soul and modern way of singing. While Puspall illuminates world class jazz vocals, Agis is a fine powerhouse soul sista. We just got Agis and Opik as a duo in last edition ( Watch the video highlight here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6bx2nlKtls ) and now it’s time to have the boys of Satura with Puspall. A Parisien Gypsy Jazz in Parijs van Java? It’s going to be magic.
Other than reflecting the vintage Paris or European scene, the street of Braga has also been known as the home of Sundanese traditional arts and cultures, including the music. Now here comes a unique unit that we think would be perfect to present this traditional Sundanese music-along with the exact spirit-by using the progressive jazz as the universal language: WEST JAVA SYNDICATE.
West Java Syndicate was born in 2010 by the drummer Zahar Mustilaq. This band combines two spheres, the Western jazz, blues and rock and Sundanese musical patterns. Along with YD Navis (keys) and Dede SP (bass) and on the other corner are Dosenk (kendang/flute) and the newest member, Randy Gevenk on woodwind section including tarumpet, karinding and bamboo flute, they open up a cross-dimensional music world that trancends anything you expect from music listening. They are playful, humorous and totally interactive. They do slapstick joke, they laugh, they are theatrical. But above all, they serve a cool invention by utilizing the skill and limitless creativity. As the result, you will have your mind bent. The rocktitude gamelan-based bass playing, the mod-trad drumming, the jazz-Sundanese piano sound and authentic sound from traditional instruments, all will knock you out.
One EP titled “Albeum Leutik” (Mini Album) is already out and available internationally through Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Albeum-Leutik-West-Java-Syndicate/dp/B00GKVDNIY and iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/west-java-syndicate/id740629021 and a full album is in the making. How far can music go along the path of complexity without losing its public altogether, by utilizing everything we have inside? Ask these guys about it, they will happily welcome you to listen to it yourself. A mad syndicate from West Java is going to redefine your music experience and entertaining pleasure.
For the young and trendy boys and girls out there, we have something for you. A groovy pop jazz from Padjadjaran University is going to glue you with jazzy rearrangement of well known songs. The band is SSP. SSP was established in February 2014. By having Suka Suka Project (As We Like Project) as a name, SSP shows that they don’t want to stuck only in one genre. Being able to explore their creativity freely is what they wish.
We met this band for the very first time when they competed in Kampoeng Jazz Band Auditions in 2014 and noticed the potential of them, both individually and as one team. 6 players are found inside: Jo (vocal), Ezra (keyboard), Fahmi (drum), Hiro (guitar), Rayan (bass) and Widi (saxophone). For two weekends they have conducted the jam session in KFC, Sukawangi Bandung. And now the boys continue their participation to Braga Jazz Walk. We invite SSP to accomodate the music taste of most young music listeners who you can easily find everytime you stroll down the Braga sidewalk.
Three bands, plus open jam session all the way to the end (if possible) will give more pleasure as you enjoy what Bragalicious is offering. We believe the sensation of tasting the delicious food and beverages would go up higher with live and exclusive jazz event. From Pop Jazz, retro French Gypsy Jazz to the Sundanese Ethnic Progressive Jazz, and so much more, are going to add more art into this 5-day of culinary fest. Since this Special Edition comes not in the regular schedule, please mark your calendar so you won’t miss it. Braga Jazz Walk, Live and Exclusive in a Series of Bragalicious Activities is brought to you by Jazzuality.com in full cooperation with Braga City Walk and KPH Music. See you.
Braga Jazz Walk Special Edition – in a Series of Bragalicious Activities
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014
Time: 07:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Braga Jazz Walk
Jl. Braga 99 – 101, Bandung
FREE EVENT!
Featuring:
:: WEST JAVA SYNDICATE ::
Zahar Mustilaq (drums)
YD Nafis (piano)
Dede SP (bass)
:: SATURA ::
Opik Bape (guitar)
Dede Arief Ginanjar (guitar)
ft
Puspallia Panggabean (vocal)
:: SSP ::
Jo (vocal)
Ezra (keyboard)
Fahmi (drum)
Hiro (guitar)
Rayan (bass)
Widi (saxophone)