Jazz festival ends on a high note

Aditya Suharmoko , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 03/11/2008 1:39 AM | Entertainment

The three-day jazz festival finally ended Sunday, leaving good vibes among growing audiences who elbowed their way through to watch the festival's 18 stages.

Java Jazz ran for its fourth year this year, after first running in 2005, and was attended by around 70,000 visitors -- a remarkable increase from previous years.

Last year, the festival had around 67,000 visitors, up from 53,000 in 2006.

Along with the increasing crowds, this years festival had evolved from a jazz concert into a pop, jazz and R&B music event.

Headliners at the festival included Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, The Manhattan Transfer, James Ingram and Bobby Caldwell, all of whom are famous for music which is not strictly "jazzy".

Babyface is known as a soul and R&B singer/songwriter. He made a spectacular performance, ending the festival with his hits including "Every time I Close My Eyes" and "Change the World".

The Manhattan Transfer, Bobby Caldwell and James Ingram wowed audiences with their wonderful vocals.

Local acts, such as Syaharani and the Queenfireworks, Barry Likumahuwa and Dian Pramana Poetra were also captivating.

"I want to watch Babyface and Renee Olstead because I like their music. The festival is getting boring, though, because it features similar artists like previous festivals," several jazz enthusiasts told The Jakarta Post.

They were referring into several local and foreign acts, such as Incognito, Earth Wind and Fire, and Barry Likumahuwa which have played the festival stages several times.

The organizer said it wanted to feature various genres this year, comprising jazz, pop, R&B, soul and electronic music.

Most of this year's concertgoers were young, dressed in their latest outfits. Many were not there for jazz, but "just to have fun and meet friends".

"A portrait of the country's so-called middle class," a prominent businessman commented.

At the 2008 festival, organizers went one step further, by working in cooperation with several environmental organizations, to raise awareness of climate change issues as well as the fight against illegal logging.

The move was triggered by legendary guitarist Santana, who refused to play at the festival, saying Indonesia was "a country of illegal loggers".

The festival, which was also intended to be a part of the government-backed Visit Indonesia Year 2008 program, saw less foreigners among audiences, meaning the government and the organizers need to work harder to attract foreign visitors next year.

Organizers said prominent jazz musician Wynton Marsalis & The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra had confirmed they play next year.

They are also aiming to see big names like BB King, Chick Corea, John Mayer and Michael Bubl

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