Italian Artists in Jakarta - March 2008
Franco d'Andrea in Trio (of his New Quarter)
Concert 10 March 2008
Istituto Italiano di Cultura Jakarta
A New Taste of Italian Jazz
The crowd’s enthusiasm was tangible, unhampered by the evening’s drizzle. The public certainly came to meet, and above all listen to, Franco D’Andrea on a grand piano while he’s in Jakarta.
Franco D’Andrea and his New Quartet came to take part in the Java Jazz Festival (7-9 March). With the support from the Italian Embassy, the Italian Institute hosted another concert on Mar. 10 as a “fitting closing” for the participation of Italian artists in the capital’s biggest jazz gig, said Livia Raponi, the Institute’s Deputy Director.
The auditorium brimmed with dignitaries, foreign diplomats, including the Ambassadors of Italy, the Czech Republic, Greece and Lebanon, and jazz lovers, all eager to experience a taste of Italian jazz.
D’Andrea has a successful career back in his country either as a musician or a music teacher. The award-winning artist is considered a sort of a “legend” for his involvement in the early phase of the Italian jazz history.
Born in Merano (at the extreme Italo-German border) young D’Andrea experienced with trumpet and saxophone in the 60s before turning into piano and performed as a soloist or collaborated in groups.
A poet-musician, D’Andrea has over two hundred compositions, many of which recorded and released in Europe. D’Andrea music is modern jazz with creative interpretation. He warned though that at times it could be difficult to understand his tunes. The veteran musician confessed his penchant for authenticity.
The Italian legend is full of energy and explosive creativeness during his performance. He generally digs in the history of jazz to extract a language that is contemporary and provokingly fresh. D’Andrea loves to express himself with his instrument, attempting to spark creative explosions.
This was his first time in Indonesia though he’s no alien to jazz festivals as he tours them around the world with this band. His view on the Java Jazz was the Indonesian festival has gained an enormous status despite its recent history. Compared to European jazz festivals, “Java Jazz felt fresh”, said D’Andrea.
In his Jakarta tournée, D’Andrea brandished new tracks in his latest album, the Siena Concert, that was released earlier this year. Some of the tracks played were Into the Mystery, Monodic, Fragole, and Slow Five.
To wrap up his solo show, D’Andrea played a medley of classic tunes Lover Man and Caravan.
To everyone’s surprise, there was a second part in the concert: an impromptu trio performance as two of his quartet members joined the stage. Aldo Mella was on contrabass whilst Andrea Ayassot on alto and soprano saxophone.
The energy quickly turned unstoppable. In three, they created a balanced dialog with the audience. There were personal glories sought, no showing off individual virtuosity, instead D’Andrea and his companions complemented one another as a collective sound.
Once again, Franco D’Andrea New Quartet (even sans its drummer, Zeno de Rossi had to leave in the afternoon) delivered their impressionistic yet adventurous sound, giving its Jakarta fans another taste of Italian jazz.
Franco D’Andrea and his New Quartet came to take part in the Java Jazz Festival (7-9 March). With the support from the Italian Embassy, the Italian Institute hosted another concert on Mar. 10 as a “fitting closing” for the participation of Italian artists in the capital’s biggest jazz gig, said Livia Raponi, the Institute’s Deputy Director.
The auditorium brimmed with dignitaries, foreign diplomats, including the Ambassadors of Italy, the Czech Republic, Greece and Lebanon, and jazz lovers, all eager to experience a taste of Italian jazz.
D’Andrea has a successful career back in his country either as a musician or a music teacher. The award-winning artist is considered a sort of a “legend” for his involvement in the early phase of the Italian jazz history.
Born in Merano (at the extreme Italo-German border) young D’Andrea experienced with trumpet and saxophone in the 60s before turning into piano and performed as a soloist or collaborated in groups.
A poet-musician, D’Andrea has over two hundred compositions, many of which recorded and released in Europe. D’Andrea music is modern jazz with creative interpretation. He warned though that at times it could be difficult to understand his tunes. The veteran musician confessed his penchant for authenticity.
The Italian legend is full of energy and explosive creativeness during his performance. He generally digs in the history of jazz to extract a language that is contemporary and provokingly fresh. D’Andrea loves to express himself with his instrument, attempting to spark creative explosions.
This was his first time in Indonesia though he’s no alien to jazz festivals as he tours them around the world with this band. His view on the Java Jazz was the Indonesian festival has gained an enormous status despite its recent history. Compared to European jazz festivals, “Java Jazz felt fresh”, said D’Andrea.
In his Jakarta tournée, D’Andrea brandished new tracks in his latest album, the Siena Concert, that was released earlier this year. Some of the tracks played were Into the Mystery, Monodic, Fragole, and Slow Five.
To wrap up his solo show, D’Andrea played a medley of classic tunes Lover Man and Caravan.
To everyone’s surprise, there was a second part in the concert: an impromptu trio performance as two of his quartet members joined the stage. Aldo Mella was on contrabass whilst Andrea Ayassot on alto and soprano saxophone.
The energy quickly turned unstoppable. In three, they created a balanced dialog with the audience. There were personal glories sought, no showing off individual virtuosity, instead D’Andrea and his companions complemented one another as a collective sound.
Once again, Franco D’Andrea New Quartet (even sans its drummer, Zeno de Rossi had to leave in the afternoon) delivered their impressionistic yet adventurous sound, giving its Jakarta fans another taste of Italian jazz.
***
Text by Gama Harjono (email: unmacchiato at gmail.com ; tel. 0818 072 41 072)
Images courtesy of IIC Jakarta
1 comments:
A new range of entertainment brought fresh from Italy..! Bravo!
..then accompanied by real good cappucino or macchiato, making it a timeless enjoyment.
Great to have beenback here.. keep sharing, and my best regards from West Africa..
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