Party starts early this weekend at Java Jazz

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 03/03/2006 7:21 AM | Life

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Take some leave or skip the office today if possible, for otherwise you might have to wait another year to enjoy performances from top-notch performers like Patti Austin, Eric Benet and Tower of Power.

The three headlining acts are scheduled for one show each on the first day of the Java Jazz (JJ) Festival Friday evening.

But should traffic jams or an important meeting stand in your way, then you should be able to make up for it on the final two days of the festival.

On Saturday evening, acid jazz and alternative hip-hop act from a London suburb Brand New Heavies will have a second show after their first on Friday.

In fact, what is in store for the weekend is a bigger, better and more entertaining spectacle than the first day's showcase.

Apart from Brand New Heavies, another major act expected to show up on Saturday is Grammy-winning a capella group Take 6.

On Sunday, two acts that share a similar musical orientation, Incognito and Kool & the Gang, will cap the three-day festival with a bigger bang.

In between shows from the headlining acts, organizers have drawn up a schedule of lesser-known international and local artists.

Smooth-jazz lovers will certainly enjoy a night out in the company of Fourplay veterans Lee Ritenour and Bob James.

James will have a show on Friday evening together with Angels of Shanghai, and with his quintet, Nathan East, Jack Lee, Lewis Pragasam and Dave Mc Murray on Sunday evening.

Ritenour will perform on the main stage of Jakarta Convention Center Plenary Hall on Saturday evening.

Fans of the local jazz scene will have more than they can swallow with almost all top Indonesian jazz musicians turning up to play.

Ireng Maulana & Friends will perform Saturday evening, after which Dwiki Dharmawan will bring on his new project with Acehnese vocalist Teuku Rafly at the Center's Assembly 1.

This year's JJ promises something for everyone.

Followers of the local indie scene will get a chance to cheer on their favorite bands like Sore, Ape on the Roof, White Shoes & Couples Company and Tika, who will all perform on Sunday on a stage sponsored by indie label Aksara Records.

Detractors and purists alike may cry foul at the festival lineup, but they will not be able to stop the party.

Tickets are still available at Jakarta Hilton Hotel box office from 10 a.m. through 9 p.m.

On the Net:
www.javajazzfestival.com

Comments (0) | Post comment

A | A | A |