Welcoming Jazz, which is getting younger
The 19th Java Jazz Festival feels even younger. The demographics of performers and audiences are changing, but it's still busy.
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The special performance session of Laufey, the winner of the 2023 Grammy Awards, took place at the Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival at JIEXpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta on Friday (24/5/2024). There are 11 stages that will present 112 performances from Friday (24/5/2024) until Sunday (26/5/2024).
The notion that jazz music is the taste of grandparents and aunts should be thrown away. This musical color that has been circulating for a century crosses time and generations.
The Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival 2024, which is the 19th event, proves this. Many changes have occurred.
Musician and songwriter Laufey (25) is the main star at the Java Jazz Festival (JJF) this time. He played two days in a row, Friday and Saturday. The show is also classified as a special show, which means the audience has to buy additional tickets for IDR 650,000.
On Friday (24/5/2024), the winner of the 2023 Grammy Awards is scheduled to perform at 7.30 pm in a large hall called The Botol Hall with a capacity of 5,000 seats. Special ticket holders have been queuing to enter since an hour before the start of the event. The queue may be as long as 200 meters.
This view is very striking. Moreover, the majority of the audience are teenage girls with colorful makeup. As soon as the auditorium door opens, about 30 minutes before the scheduled time, they enter one by one, running around in excitement to meet their idols.
Also read: Laufey and the Jazz Celebration of Change
This American singer of Icelandic and Chinese descent "waits" behind the stage. When the time comes, she appears in a sparkling white dress. She holds a Gibson Les Paul series guitar, passing by a Yamaha grand piano behind her.
The guitar series that Laufey carries is inspired by a famous guitarist of the 1950s named Les Paul. The character of the guitar's sound is unique. There is an antique nuance that can be heard from every strum.
This sound was also heard when Laufey "enchanted" the audience with songs such as "Fragile" and "Magnolia". Her vocal character is reminiscent of jazz or swing singers from the past such as Sarah Vaughan or Nina Simone. It really suits the sound of the guitar.
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Mahalini's performance at the Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival at JIEXpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Saturday (25/5/2024).
However, that doesn't mean Laufey's songs are like nostalgic songs. She writes lyrics about romance, things felt by women her age, or even younger ones.
Those lyrics really resonate. The audience sang along to songs like ”Bored” or ”I Wish You Love”.
Sometimes, love songs can come across as immature. Laufey tells it with a playful style. "I wrote this song after breaking up with my boyfriend, eww..." she said before playing the song "Street by Street."
Also read: Latest Music in Java Jazz 2024
In the song "Dreamer," Laufey tells the story of women's independence. Independence here means not being burdened by the presence of a boyfriend. "Inspired by the pesky question from my grandma, 'when will you have a boyfriend,'" she said, playing with her eyes. These are the things that her listeners like.
On the other hand, Laufey, who graduated with a degree in jazz and classical music composition, was able to deliver the jazz standard song "Misty" well. The song popularized by Ella Fitzgerald seemed to belong to Laufey. That old song became fresh again.
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Marcello Tahitoe's appearance at the Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival at JIEXpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Saturday (25/5/2024).
Teenage fantasy
A song with a theme of young romance was also sung by other performers. Adjani appeared on the Wonderful Indonesia Stage and delivered a charming performance that Sri Hanuraga, who was alert with his keyboard, often responded to with a smile.
"My song is titled 'Tak Ada Salahnya'. I hope you enjoy it," he said on the first day of the Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival 2024, Friday (24/5/2024). He continued his performance with "Misty" and invited the audience to sing along.
Musician Namira Adjani, who has been exploring her singing talent since a young age, also collaborated with bassist Jason Mountario and drummer Kelvin Andreas. They added a blend of pop and jazz to the 2024 Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival.
Also read: What will Java Jazz 2024 look like?
Adjani continued his concert with a little confiding. "Laufey's singing is also appearing, here. "It's sad that I can't watch it," he said before singing "I Wish You Love Me".
Adjani honed his skills through various competitions and musical performances. He has proven his passion for music with several of the songs he has released.
The singer tried out his debut, in 2021, with the song "You". Iyas Pras's composition, produced by Otti Jamalus, was followed by "Let It Pass".
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October London's performance at the Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival at JIEXpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Saturday (25/5/2024).
A series of guitars that are no less melodious are recorded, such as "There's No Wrong" which many fans have named as their favorite song.
"The song I performed when I performed in a musical with my current boyfriend and rearranged it," he said before playing "Both of you?".
Another young singer, Natasya Elvira, is currently rising in the world of jazz in the country, standing out among famous singers. The singer will greet her fans together with Natasya, collaborating with Ardhito Pramono and Tony Monaco at Pertamina Hall A1 on Sunday (May 26, 2024).
She sings with a touch of Dinah Washington mixed with Ella Fitzgerald's improvisation. Natasya has also traveled to Semarang, Bali, and Singapore. The nominee for Best Jazz Artist at the Anugerah Musik Indonesia Awards also won Best Newcomer Artist at the JGTC Choice Awards.
Newcomer band, Caste, made their first appearance at this year's annual festival. In addition to performing their own songs, the band from Bekasi, West Java, also performed Jorja Smith's song "Teenage Fantasy".
This is to educate new audiences. We have to keep up with the times.
"This is our first time performing at this festival. "It feels really fun," said Ikalya, Caste's vocalist.
Showcasing young musicians is a necessity. President Director Java Festival Production Dewi Gontha said that she was featuring many young musicians this time. ”This is to educate new audiences. "We have to keep up with the times," said Dewi.
They said the number of Java Jazz Festival attendees has been increasing since its first installment in 2005. Audience regeneration has been worked on since 2018. "The majority of the audience used to be between 30-45 years old, but now it's between 20-30 years old," said Dewi.
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Mldjazzproject With Nadhif Basalamah's appearance at the Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival at JIEXpo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, Saturday (25/5/2024).
