International: George Duke (left) and Stanley Clarke perform at Java Jazz on Saturday night. (JP/P.J. Leo)

The three-day Java Jazz festival closed its curtains Sunday to a full house of music fans who enjoyed a jazz-filled weekend.

In addition, the intention of the organizer to lure crowds back to this year’s Java Jazz festival was also deemed a success.  

The 2013 Jakarta International Djarum Super Mild Java Jazz Festival program coordinator Eki Puradiredja said the first day of the festival was the most crowded first day in nine years.

“Last Friday was the most crowded first day of Java Jazz in nine years. And I think the number of attendees is increasing every day compared to last year, but I don’t have the exact figures yet,” Eki told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

The ninth edition of Java Jazz that was held at the Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, and offered a varied lineup of artists that charmed both jazz and non-jazz lovers.

Thousands of music fans got to enjoy more than 1,500 international and local musicians playing a total of 187 shows, including four special shows, on 17 stages.

Eki said the festival’s formula was to have big names, legendary names, jazz names, hip names and young talent in the lineup from various genres.

And this year, he added, pop-jazz themed music had colored the festival.  

“For example, Joss Stone has been able to attract those who listen to music from the 2000s and Lisa Stansfield could entertain those who miss ‘90s pop-jazz music,” he said.

“The reason we have non-jazz names perform here is to introduce jazz to a wider audience because that way people get to watch their favorite non-jazz musicians, but at the same time, they can also know what jazz is,” Eki said.

 Yania Andarini, 28, said she was glad she was finally able to watch the performance of veteran jazz musician Phil Perry.

“In his 60s, his performance was still brilliant — soulful. And he sang many of my favorite songs, too, like ‘Best of Me’ and ‘Imagination’,” she said.

“Too bad the performance was not long enough,” she said, laughing.  

One unforgettable show highlighted the festival. On the first day, Joss Stone wowed the audience with her attractive and energetic performance.

Realizing that the audience was mostly glued to their chairs, she asked them to get up from their seats.

Famous for her barefoot style on stage, she jumped off the stage, approaching the barriers to sing closer to the audience and invited them to get up once again.

People finally started to get up and came toward her to take some close-up pictures and eventually danced and sang along with her.

“This is the way it should be,” she said.

For almost two hours, she sang many of her hit singles, including “Super Duper Love” and “You Had Me”.

Jazz quartet Fourplay also enchanted the audience with their gigs on Friday and Saturday.

Their soothing melodies filled the hall, as if trying to take festival-goers to a cool and serene place for a while — far from the hustle bustle outside.

Many performances from local musicians at Java Jazz also stole the show.

Maliq & D’essentials never failed to draw crowds every time they perform.

Singing, among others, “Coba Katakan” (Please Tell Me), “Untitled” and some songs from their new album Sriwedari, young audience members turned a hall into a choir. Balawan, Indra Lesmana and Tompi also joined the list of local talents who attracted hundreds of festival-goers to their stages.

Reggy Poetiray who is a frequent Java Jazz attendee, said he very much enjoyed the jazz music of local talents.

“Every time I come here, I see more of our musicians with great performances. I’m enjoying it, meaning that they’ve done their job as musicians — entertaining people,” he said. Nyi Mas, 33, an Indonesian who works in Kuala Lumpur, said her first experience at Java Jazz was exciting.

“There are no jazz festivals there — not that I know of. And I had a really good time here; the crowd, the vibe, the performers are all great,” said Nyi Mas, who added she could not wait to see Craig David.

Music lovers packed the room on Sunday evening as the special show from the British singer Craig David began, closing the festival.

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