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Jazz musician Bill Saragih dies
Indonesian jazz musician Bill Amirsjah-Rondahaim Saragih, better known as Bill Saragih, died Tuesday at Fatmawati Hospital in South Jakarta after suffering a stroke
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ndonesian jazz musician Bill Amirsjah-Rondahaim Saragih, better known as Bill Saragih, died Tuesday at Fatmawati Hospital in South Jakarta after suffering a stroke. He was 75.
Bill experienced a series of strokes over the last seven years and was frequently hospitalized since last year.
"It's a great lost to our country. I never saw a musician who could master as many kinds on musical instruments as Bill Saragih," friend and fellow jazz musician Indra Lesmana said, as quoted by Antara.
Indra recalled being with Bill in Australia and establishing the Jack and Indra Lesmana Quintet several years ago.
Bill played flute and saxophone in the group, Indra's father the late Jack Lesmana played guitar and Indra played piano.
"My father once set up a trio with Bill playing piano and singing," Indra recalled.
He said Bill, who was born in Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra, on Jan. 1, 1933, was more popular in Australia than at home.
Bill stopped performing after suffering his first stroke seven years ago.
In May 2001, Bill's friends held a charity concert at a cafe in South Jakarta. A number of musicians and singers, including Bubi Chen, Benny Likumahua, Margie Sieger, Bob Tutupoly and Syahrani attended and played.
Several former government officials, including former foreign minister Ali Alatas, former agriculture minister Bungaran Saragih and former Central Bank governor Arifin Siregar attended the concert.
Bill, whose wife Anturang Anna Rosemary died on Jan. 18, 1999, in Sydney, Australia, at the age of 63, is survived by two sons, John Anthony and Tony, and daughter Leoni Tiana.
Bill composed a number of original songs over his career, including Anna My Love, which was dedicated to his wife. The song is from the album Bill Sings 'n Plays, which was produced in 1995 and released in 1997.
The album also includes, What a Wonderful World, Unforgettable, Selendang Sutra, Tiana (Comeback to Me), Billy's Groove, Misty, Love, Na Sonang, Tony's Dream, Song from My Father (to My Homeland) and The Shadow of Your Smile.
Billy's Groove was created for Bill himself, while Tiana and Tony's Dream were written for his daughter and youngest son.
