From New York Voices to Goo Goo Dolls, Java Jazz Returns to Celebrate Diversity
Jakarta. BNI Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival, or Java Jazz, returns this year for its 14th edition slated for March 2-4 at JIExpo Kemayoran, North Jakarta.
This year's theme, "Celebrate Jazz in Diversity," is in line with the festival's aim to present performers of diverse subgenres.
Java Festival Production president director Dewi Gontha said at a press conference on Thursday (18/01) in Kemang, South Jakarta, that the extensive range of music styles, coupled with vintage decorations, is expected to send a message that jazz is a long-lived and influential genre that has branched out to many others.
Jazz originated in New Orleans in the 19th century, from a blend of European and African cultures. Now it has many subgenres, including fusion jazz, acid jazz, dixieland, swing, bebop, hard bop and smooth jazz. It also inspired the emergence of rhythm and blues (RnB), pop, soul and pop-rock.
Dewi said that through the variety the festival will appeal to an audience of all ages.
"We also want to regenerate our audience and break young people's perception that jazz is for the old," she said.
The organizers expressed hope that performers such as pop-jazz band Maliq & D'Essentials can draw a younger audience.
Foreign artists who will perform this year include Vanessa Williams, New York Voices, Matthew Whitaker Trio, Lee Ritenour, Jhené Aiko, The Danish Radio Big Band, JP Cooper, Kennedy Administration, Avery*Sunshine, BJ The Chicago Kid, Maysa Leak, Maya Azucena, Marlon McClain, Gorden Campbell, and The Urban Renewal Project.
This year, the festival's special shows are set to return with Grammy-winning singer Dionne Warwick will perform on March 2 and Daniel Caesar on March 3.
The last day will be marked by performance of pop singer Lauv, who is especially known for his single "I Like Me Better," and Goo Goo Dolls — best known for the one of the biggest alternative rock ballads 1990s, "Iris."
Among Indonesian performers will be Dira Sugandhi, Aksan Sjuman Trio, Java Jive x Fariz RM, Iwa K x Neurotic, Rendy Pandugo, Tohpati, The Rollies, Glenn Fredly, Adhitya Sofyan, Kunto Aji, Ecoutez, and Idang Rasjidi.
There will be also new faces such as Nonaria and Tashoora. Festival coordinator Elfa Zulham said Tashoora, a pop-rock band from Yogyakarta is a potential crowd magnet because "they play very unique music."
Tickets are already on sale. For the special shows they start from Rp 149,000 ($10.43). Daily passes are sold for Rp 630,000. BNI credit and debit cardholders can receive a buy one, get one free promo. Further information can be found on the festival's website.
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