Thursday, September 28, 2023

Java Jazz Kicks Off with Jojo, Fiersa Besari, and More

Jayanty Nada Shofa
May 28, 2022 | 6:18 am
SHARE
American singer Jojo headlines the Jakarta International BNI Jazz Festival at JIExpo, Kemayoran, on May 27,  2022. (BeritaSatuPhoto/Joanito De Saojoao)
American singer Jojo headlines the Jakarta International BNI Jazz Festival at JIExpo, Kemayoran, on May 27, 2022. (BeritaSatuPhoto/Joanito De Saojoao)

Jakarta. The Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival on Friday kicked off its 17th edition at JIExpo Kemayoran with performances from chart-topping singer-songwriter Jojo, love songs specialist Fiersa Besari, and many more.

Jojo was the special performer of the night. The audience chanted Jojo's name as the R&B singer walked onto the stage in a blue outfit.

"Java Jazz Festival, make some noise!" Jojo shouted, exciting the crowd.

Jojo started with 'What U Need' before performing 'Man', 'Spiral SZN', and 'Worst', to name a few. She also showed off her vocal skills with a cover of legendary soul singer Anita Baker's 'Caught Up in the Rapture'.

Advertisement

"She [Anita] is one of the voices that I look up to, that has inspired me to do what I get to do today. She does a beautiful job of bridging R&B, soul, and jazz and taking it worldwide," Jojo said.

Java Jazz Kicks Off with Jojo, Fiersa Besari, and More

Singer Fiersa Besari sings "Celengan Rindu" at Java Jazz Festival at JIExpo, Kemayoran, on May 27, 2022. (BeritaSatuPhoto/Joanito De Saojoao)

At the MLD Stage Bus area, Fiersa Besari attracted an enthusiastic crowd of millennials and Gen Zs. Despite the drizzle, the young festival-goers sang their hearts out to Fiersa's friend zone anthem 'Garis Terdepan' and his top hit 'Celengan Rindu.' In between each song, Fiersa would crack one or two relationship jokes.

"The rain is perfect because it could hide your tears," Fiersa said.

"Who still hasn't moved on from their ex even after many years?" Fiersa asked the crowd.

The 38-year-old singer also performed the never-before-heard 'Pengecut', which he planned to release in his next album.

Java Jazz Kicks Off with Jojo, Fiersa Besari, and More
Pop-rock band RAN enlivens the BNI Java Jazz Festival 2022 at JI Expo Kemayoran on May 27, 2022. (BeritaSatuPhoto/Joanito De Saojoao)

The night was still young for many festival-goers as they gathered to watch the pop band RAN. Hands were up in the air —waving left and right— as the audience chanted "Hey! Ho! Hey! Ho!" in unison. Enthusiasm rose high as RAN sang their best hits 'Kulakukan Semua Untukmu' and 'Dekat di Hati'.

Performances by husband-wife duo Endah N Rhesa, jazz band Maliq & D'Essentials, and many more enlivened the first day of Java Jazz. 

Java Jazz is in full swing after going through a pandemic hiatus. The 17th edition marks the first Java Jazz to be held in the middle of a pandemic, so the masks had to stay up for the festival-goers. 

The Java Jazz Festival will still run until May 29. Five hundred forty-two artists of different genres, generations, and nationalities will perform at this year's Java Jazz.

Java Jazz Kicks Off with Jojo, Fiersa Besari, and More
Jazz group Maliq & D'Essentials performs at the Jakarta International BNI Jazz Festival at JIExpo, Kemayoran, on May 27, 2022. (BeritaSatu Photo/Joanito de Saojao)

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

POPULAR READS


News 5 hours ago

Nagorno-Karabakh Gov't to Dissolve Itself by January 2024

The move comes after Azerbaijan carried out a lightning offensive to reclaim full control over its breakaway region.
Special Updates 19 hours ago

Annual Culinary Fest 'Pasar Senggol' Returns to Summarecon Mall Bekasi

With 114 tenants at 99 booths, four food trucks, and 11 food carts, visitors have thousands of menu choices to explore.
News 19 hours ago

Anies and Muhaimin Visit Rizieq

The presidential candidate and his running mate attended the wedding of Rizieq's daughter in Petamburan.
News Sep 27, 2023 | 5:53 pm

Prabowo in 'Final Phase' of Selecting Running Mate

Among the three possible candidates for the presidential race, Anies Baswedan was the first to unveil his running mate.
Lifestyle Sep 27, 2023 | 5:01 pm

Female Officers Prohibited from Dyeing Hair Under New Police Directive

The directive also specifies that female officers are not allowed to adopt a crew-cut hairstyle like their male counterparts.
COPYRIGHT © 2023 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED