Final day performances captivate jazz festival audience

Ary Hermawan and Aditya Suharmoko , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 03/10/2008 1:19 AM | Headlines

A beautiful fusion of electronic and Sufistic notes by Tunisian musician Dhafer Youssef captivated audiences during Java Jazz Festival's final day, which was dominated by pop, jazz, and rhythm and blues.

Jazz enthusiasts flocked to the Jakarta Convention Center from 4 p.m Sunday, although organizers said numbers were slightly less than Saturday's crowd.

"This is the only performance I have waited for at this year's event," said one concertgoer lining up for Dhafer's show.

"I saw performances from most of the other artists during previous festivals."

Dhafer said he was attracted to jazz from an early age and secretly listened to it while studying the Koran.

The performer captivated the audience with his eerie, mystical voice, which was backed by his Norwegian electronic band.

Singer Dian Pramana Poetra, who promised he would reveal the songs of his upcoming album, drew a mixed crowd full of young and old enthusiasts.

The most-anticipated performance by headliner Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds was a favorite with the crowds and the singer-songwriter gave a wonderful performance, including some of his hit numbers.

The Manhattan Transfer, who dazzled their fans Saturday, performed again Sunday for those who had missed out.

Festival chairman and founder Peter F. Gontha said some 80,000 had attended performances across the three-day festival.

He said the JCC was experiencing a year-on-year growth in popularity and that three days may not be enough in the future.