All things jazz: Pianist Erik Sondhy is set to spread his wings and make his mark on the international jazz scene.

Well-established within Indonesia’s dynamic contemporary jazz scene, Erik Sondhy has performed with musicians as diverse as Dewa Budjana, Dwiki Dharmawan, Balawan, Superman is Dead and Ayu Laksmi.

On the international scene, he has played at the Penang Island Jazz Festival, the Singapore Jazz Festival, Kota Kinabalu Jazz Festival, and in well-known London jazz cafés, including Ronnie Scott’s. He has also opened for Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz pianist Chucho Valdés.

May 1 saw the release of Erik Sondhy’s first solo album, Abbey Road Sessions Vol. 1, on the new online label IndoJazzia Musik.

“Through music I can express myself honestly and freely,” he explained when asked what it was about music, about jazz, that motivated him.

“Since I was a young boy I have found peace and solace in music and that hasn’t changed. As a musician when I play jazz there is space to express myself in the present moment and without any restrictions.”

Of all the contemporary players, the one he most admires is Keith Jarrett, a virtuoso of the piano.

“Jarrett plays all genres of music,” Erik explains. “He is a genius at improvisation and he’s a true jazz musician.” But when asked about his earliest influences, he doesn’t hesitate: “The Beatles, The Beatles, The Beatles!”

He said his new album was very special for him since it was recorded at Abbey Road Studios. “It was a dream come true because of my love for The Beatles,” he says with a laugh. “The inspiration was my daughter, my wife, Bali, London and of course The Beatles.”

Eric’s wife, Nicole, is originally English, but she had lived in Australia for 10 years before the two met in Bali. They now have a five-month-old daughter, Sofia-Rose Sondhy.

“We visited Nicole’s family in London last year when I recorded my album,” he continues, “but our life is definitely in Bali. London is so happening, but so is Bali in its own way. In terms of music, I prefer London because there are so many great musicians, recording studios and a huge selection of high quality pianos such as Steinway and Son’s, and Bosendolf. The jazz scene is amazing and really inspired me.”

The album consists of six extended pieces. With the exception of “I Will”, all are original.

Erik displays a rare confidence as he plays with various traditional forms, giving each piece his own unique signature. The opening and title track “London Blues” sets the tone with over 10 minutes of thumping, rollicking jazz-blues.

A strong left hand drives the piece along like an old-time walking bassline or stride piano from the twenties. Meanwhile the right hand riffs, playing with the blues form, as Sondhy extemporizes, ranging confidently across the keyboard.

Erik’s homage to his favorite band follows. He plays with the tempo and timing of the Lennon and McCartney song “I Will”, slowing the piece down, extending and cutting short intervals between notes in the familiar melody.

Adding quirky passing chords, he turns a classic Beatles pop ditty into a pretty jazz reflection; introspective, thoughtful, mindful, a gentle persuasion.

“Song for my Mother” continues in a similar vein. The use of minor chords and, once again, that signature play between left and right hands, creates a soulful, plaintive sound. The piece is romantic, very listenable, but with an unmistakably jazz sensibility.

The pace shifts again with “Sofia’s Rag”, an upbeat play on the ragtime tradition, echoing the very earliest intimations of jazz and perhaps honoring the place of piano in that history at the same time as honoring Erik’s daughter, Sofia-Rose. The piece is pure Sondhy: fun, masterful.

“Sofia’s Rag” is a kind of contemporary take on early twentieth century parlor music. Music for flappers with a twenty-first century twist, the piece is tongue-in-cheek, like a children’s game of tag, but features some very fancy finger work.

After traces of lyrical minimalism in “Hope”, a beautiful melancholic reflection, the album closes with “Echo Beach Calypso”, returning once again to bright major tones, a driving bass line, and playful melodies.

The whole album showcases Eric’s strong pop�ular influences — from early ragtime and stride, through to rock, blues, pop, and light classics. All accessible to the casual listener, but all transformed, lifted to another level.

“To be honest I wanted to follow in Keith Jarrett’s footsteps,” says Erik. “I used all of my senses, all of my focus and concentration to record the album in one go — because I believe in living in the moment and this album is my musical expression of that. Actually, most of the tracks I composed spontaneously in the studio at the time of recording.”

And it shows. Listening to the album is an intimate experience. Solo piano. The beautiful resonances of a Steinway grand played in Abbey Road Studios. Echoes of The Beatles. Occasional ambient sounds; a reflective breath before the first note, a cough and a shuffle at the end of a piece. The pianist is present in the recording, this is a real music, real communication.

It is a sense of joy that best of all characterizes the album; a sense of being in a good place, at a good time, confident in the craft of musicianship, and content with life.

Concert
Erik Sondhy is performing a solo piano concert at 8 p.m. on June 30 at Paviliun 28 in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. Further details at eriksondhy.com. The album, is available from IndoJazzia Musik at musik.indojazzia.net

Popular

Volcano erupts in North Sulawesi, hundreds evacuated

Dubai roads, airport reel from floods after record rains

Ramadan boosts consumer confidence, retail sales