Bobby McFerrin (center)

Ten-time Grammy Award winner Bobby McFerrin warmed up the 11th Jakarta International Java Jazz festival on Saturday with a powerful showing of vocal improvisation.

McFerrin is widely known for the '€œDon'€™t Worry, Be Happy'€ song released in 1988, featuring no other instrument but his voice.

Clapping his left hand on the chest while scat singing, he led his six-piece band for a harmonious set of groovy tracks.

'€œI'€™d like to have a cup of tea, please,'€ he said at the end of a song while moving toward a black grand piano to play his next song.

His set list was a mix of jazz, pop, blues, R&B and classic music rolled into an amusing 75-minute gig.

Music lovers always swarm to this festival, held every first weekend of March, to refresh their mind and enjoy a jazzy night.

On Saturday, the festival'€™s second day, visitors started to arrive at the JIExpo in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, at 3 p.m., enjoying some early performances that included 27-year-old jazz guitarist Tesla Manaf and New York-based jazz harmonica player Hendrik Meurkens. At 7 p.m., rain started to fall, forcing visitors to find shelter, but it still did not stop them from watching their favorite musicians.

Another highlight of the day was Italian-American trumpeter Chris Botti, blowing the crowd away with loud ballads from his trumpet.

Botti, who won a Grammy for best pop instrumental album in 2013, has been working together with Andrea Bocelli, Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock and David Foster.

'€œGood evening Java Jazz, we'€™re absolutely honored to be here for the first time,'€ Botti said.

Botti'€™s duet with a violinist produced romantic melodies that took the audience to an imaginary place, far from the hustle and bustle of the capital'€™s streets.

On the next stage, pop singer Reza Artamevia gave a dazzling Java Jazz debut performance.

'€œHow are you doing? Thanks for coming to my show and for supporting Indonesian music,'€ she said, greeting the crowd.

With the jazz rendition of her hits, such as '€œPertama'€ (First), '€œAku Wanita'€ (I Am a Woman) and '€œSatu Yang Tak Bisa Lepas'€ (One I Can'€™t Let Go), she brought a nostalgic feeling to the crowd. '€œLet'€™s have a Saturday night date together!'€ she proclaimed.

Performing '€œKeabadian'€ (Immortality), Reza also shared the stage with young R&B and soul singer Teza Sumendra.

Meanwhile, a band of Indonesian diplomats '€” The Diplomats '€” took a break from work to perform at the festival.  The band opened with Shakira'€™s '€œWaka-Waka [This Time For Africa]'€ and '€œLagu Indonesiaku'€ (My Indonesian Song).

After several songs, some senior Foreign Ministry officials '€” Deputy Foreign Minister AM Fachir, Foreign Ministry secretary-general Kristiarto Legowo, director general for protocol and consular affairs Ahmad Rusdi and Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim '€” joined the band on stage to sing.

One satisfied festival-goer who never misses the festival, Girama Marito, said it always felt good to be back. '€œThis year, I want to see Chaka Khan and Incognito,'€ said Girama.

On Sunday, the festival'€™s final day, The Ladies of Jazz project will feature Ermy Kulit, Margie Siegers, Rien Djamain, Adra Karim, Christina Perri, Petra Sihombing and Jessie J.

'€” Photos by JP/Awo

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