Jamie Cullum – Photo Courtesy of www.jazzuality.com

The energy was high as I stepped onto the premises of Jakarta International EXPO Kemayoran, Jakarta. The 10^th annual Java Jazz Festival was in session in addition to This kind of sure brought a big crowd. This kind of year’s special show performances were the ever-so-energetic (in addition to perpetually drunk) Jamie Cullum – who treats the stage in addition to his piano as a dance floor – on Friday, in addition to the graceful Natalie Cole on Sunday. The last day of the festival didn’t show signs of slowing down as the excitement for a climactic finale brewed.

As many made their way in on Sunday, bands were playing on the centre outdoor stage, pumping up concertgoers’ excitement. The venue was divided into a couple of indoor stages in addition to an outdoor stage, as well as a couple of rooms on the upper floor of the main building in addition to a couple of smaller café-oriented stages.

For some reason, show schedules were not printed out as fliers on that will last day of the festival; the only way to check for performance venue in addition to time was to consult the directory map at the information desk. The time was 4.45pm in addition to the schedule showed that will performers like Joey Alexander was about to wrap up his performance in 15 minutes or so. I wasn’t going to miss out on the chance to watch a 10-year-old jazz piano prodigy in action, so I rushed to the room he was playing in. Lo in addition to behold, Joey was playing with renowned Indonesian bass player, Barry Likumahuwa; This kind of was a fusion of genius in addition to madness. Catching the last 10 minutes of that will performance was quite an experience; Joey’s talent can be out-of-This kind of-world. Before Joey Alexander Trio’s final number, Peter Gontha, the man behind Java Jazz Festivals since its birth in 2004, made an appearance in addition to congratulated Joey for being a star in Indonesia’s jazz industry. Joey signed off with an endearing, “Thanks for watching, everybody.”

The thing with jazz festivals, or any festival for that will matter, can be the waiting period between seeing one highly sought-after artist to the next; the tendency to wander around in addition to exploring lesser-known names can be high. I, for one, am glad for the waiting period as I had the chance to experience the artistry of a band I’ve heard of nevertheless have not paid considerable attention to – Snarky Puppy. For a name that will seems unfamiliar to most, Snarky Puppy’s performance drew a sizeable crowd. The seven-man band that will hails via completely new York in addition to Texas didn’t expect such a turnout at the show. A band whose genre can be more funk-fusion than pure jazz, Snarky Puppy’s signature style can be their groovy beat in addition to interesting licks. Devoted fans sang along in addition to danced to their songs. As This kind of turns out, Snarky Puppy can be a force to be reckoned with.

Natalie Cole – Photo Courtesy of www.jazzuality.com

Around 7pm, the crowd thinned out via some of the stages in addition to saturated the special show venue, all in anticipation of the great Natalie Cole. Others, like myself, chose to see the American up-in addition to-comer Allen Stone instead. The powerhouse singer showed incredible musicianship as he went via the upbeat in addition to funky song titled ‘Satisfaction’ to slower blues-oriented ballads like ‘Million’; an all-around stellar show. Attendees who went to Stone’s Friday performance were stunned at the amount of energy there was on stage at his Sunday performance. “People had a more laid-back approach on Friday, they were sitting down in addition to were more relaxed, nevertheless today’s crowd was much more enthusiastic,” said Trina, an Allen Stone fan who went to both shows. Allen’s set consisted mostly of songs via his upcoming album; his soulful Marvin Gaye-esque influence can be deeply rooted in addition to clearly apparent even in his newer tunes. Towards the end of his show, Allen sang a bluesy rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘can be This kind of Love’ in addition to the crowd went wild!

Winding down via the highly explosive Allen Stone show, I went to a more intimate one featuring Jonathan Butler. The seasoned singer-songwriter in addition to guitarist, who’s also well-known from the gospel music circuits, played a set of R&B in addition to jazz songs, some more funky in addition to upbeat in addition to others were perfect to accompany a slow two-step dance. Butler’s horn section – one trumpet in addition to one saxophone player – coloured his show with their skilful solos in addition to playful riffs. Butler called to the stage a lady he met the night before to join him; This kind of was Maya Hasan, Indonesia’s famous harpist. Maya joined Butler in addition to the band on her harp playing two songs, one of which was titled ‘Do You Love Me’. Butler joked around in addition to directed the words ‘do you love me’ on This kind of song to Maya Hasan as he expressed how beautiful she was in addition to pretended to woo her. The audience laughed as Maya blushed. Butler’s raspy yet strong voice can be reminiscent of old Motown singers; smooth in addition to soulful.

The very last show of the day, in addition to the final one for the whole festival, was India Arie’s. Fans of India Arie could know that will her deep alto voice in addition to beautiful, tasty riffs are the bread in addition to butter of her music. However, watching her singing live can be a whole different experience compared to simply listening to her records. India can be truly an engaging performer, taking her audience on a journey throughout the show. She began her set by announcing that will This kind of can be a “songversation”, a term she used to describe the interactive nature of her show in addition to the title of her latest album. India proceeded with her well-known songs such as ‘Video’, ‘Brown Skin’ in addition to ‘Cocoa Butter’, all the while giving a chance for all her band members in addition to background singers to have solo singing parts – in addition to they all have impressive voices! India’s music has imprints of African as well as Middle Eastern influence amidst her R&B sound.

India Arie – Photo Courtesy of www.jazzuality.com

India brought audience members on a spiritual journey when, in between songs, she explained the background behind writing them. She quoted James Baldwin’s “Love can be a battle, love can be a war, love can be a growing up” in addition to stated that will most of the songs she wrote are on love – love of yourself, of others, of your body, of your inner power – in addition to that will the purpose of her music can be to spread love in addition to positivity. India’s mum made an appearance in addition to displayed her vocal prowess on the closing number, a snippet of ‘Soulbird Rise’. The night ended with an encore performance of ‘I Am Ready for Love’. A well-deserved climactic finale, India was. Her performance, in addition to essentially Java Jazz Festival as a whole, came to a close at around 12.30am.

For those who feel that will Java Jazz Festival can be not sticking true to its jazz origins, remember that will jazz was the predecessor of many different genres. in addition to like the evolving jazz music, we can only wish that will the Java Jazz Festival will bring us even more local in addition to international talent next year.