Java Jazz Productions, the organizer of the country’s biggest musical event, the Java Jazz International Festival, has more to offer to jazz enthusiasts than just a three-day festival every March.

Having gained international recognition as a world-class music concert organizer, it now aims to produce concerts featuring international artists throughout the year.

In the midst of this year’s Lebaran holiday mood, the company will present Diana Krall, dubbed “The First Lady of Jazz”, at the Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place, on Oct. 5.

“The Jakarta audience is very lucky because this great jazz concert will be held at the end of the joint holiday when most offices and businesses are still closed,” the production’s program director, Paul Dankmeyer, said.

The Grammy-winning artist for the Best Jazz Performance (1999) and the Best Jazz Vocal Album (2002) is currently on her Asian tour to promote her latest album, The Very Best of Diana Krall (2007), which was released along with her DVD album.

Also in October, the company will hold the first soul music festival, called The Axis Jakarta International Soulnation Festival, at Istora Senayan Hall.

According to Java Jazz chairman Peter F Gontha, the festival aims to cater to the younger generation that lean toward music genres such as R&B, hip hop, rap and soul.

The two-day festival, from Oct. 17 to 18, will feature international artists such as Ashanti, Rahsaan Patterson, Blackilicious and Akon in addition to a number of emerging Indonesian soul artists including Yacko, Soulvibe, Saykoji, Sonic Squad, Ran, Neo and Faro and many others, the production’s program coordinator Eki Puradiredja said.

The American R&B songstress Ashanti rose to fame in 2002 when she released her Grammy Award-winning debut album, Ashanti, which features her hit single “Foolish”.

Akon, along with fellow rapper 50 Cent, canceled their Jakarta performance in April. Promoter Java Musikindo said in a press release that Akon abruptly canceled the agreement for “unclear reasons”.

Though not as inclusive as the Java Jazz Festival in defining jazz, which allows musicians from other music genres to participate in the event, the Soulnation festival is also an open stage that welcomes musicians from other music styles.

Rock-and-roll band Flowers, for instance, will participate in the event by collaborating with D’Essentials N’Soul and Soulnation All Stars.

“They (Flowers band members) asked if they could perform at the Soulnation festival. Their appearance does not fit the theme of the festival. Therefore, we gave them the challenge to collaborate with young rappers,” Eki said.

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