Ngayogjazz 2011, When Togetherness Expressed in Jazzy Style
1/14/2011 - Eka Wahyu
The most awaited jazz performance event, the Ngayogjazz, is finally ready to roll after being postponed for about 2 months from the first schedule. Ngayogjazz 2011will be held on Saturday, January 15, raising a theme expressing the togetherness of the Javanese people, “Mangan Ora Mangan….Ngejazz”.
“Finally the fourth Ngayogjazz can be held after being postponed because of Mt. Merapi`s eruption. It should have been presented in November 30, 2010,” said the Event’s Director, Djaduk Ferianto, on Thursday (1/13).
As always, according to him, the theme of the Ngayogjazz representing the Javanese old saying and characteristics of the people and twist it to suit the jazz spirit. This year the Ngayogjazz is holding the theme, “Mangan Ora Mangan…Ngejazz”, a twist from a famous saying of the Javanese people, “Mangan Ora Mangan Ngumpul” (Whether we eat or not it doesn’t matter, as long as we are together). This old saying describes the gregarious behavior of Javanese people. And as jazz also holds chemistry and togetherness in its form, the theme suits perfectly to represent the Ngayogjazz 2011. And this is how it becomes: “Mangan Ora Mangan….Ngejazz” – “Eat or not, as long as we’re jazzing”. This theme were also inspired by the eruption of Mt. Merapi where people in Yogyakarta gathered and helped refugees by making meals wrapped in paper after the disaster.
Djaduk said that by the theme, the organizers want to show that solidarity can be realized without boundaries or material matter such as food or money. And that certainly applies to jazz, the music that can always find its spontaneity, being interactive, expressive and friendly.
“There are no boundaries in jazz. Jazz can always be played by anyone, everywhere, with all kinds of instruments. And it`s for whoever, whenever, whatever the music instruments and even in any condition, because jazz was born in a social condition which was responded to by music playing. So bringing jazz into the traditional people is not impossible at all, since they have the similarity of concept after all,” Djaduk explained.
Aji Wartono, the Event’s Creative Board member, said that there will be a launching of a compilation album from the Jogjakarta Jazz Community titled “Sesarengan” (Together/ Togetherness) and Jazz Photo Festival along with the presentation of Ngayogjazz 2011.
“Three stages, Siter, Srompet, and Tambur are set to hold these artists. Some purely traditional music is set to join them too, along with the poem reading in jazz arrangement,” he added to the press (1/13).
If the previous Ngayogjazz in 2009 was brought at Pasar Seni Gabusan Bantul, Yogyakarta, this time it will be held at another cool country side venue, Pelataran Djoko Pekik, Desa Sembungan, Kasihan-Bantul, Yogyakarta from 2 PM until midnight and will be enliven by a shining lineup, featuring ESQI:EF a.k.a Syaharani and the Queenfireworks, Glenn Fredly, Iga Mawarni, Chaseiro (Chandra Darusman and friends), simakDialog, Gugun Blues Shelter, Tohpati Bertiga, Sujud Kendang & Traditional Performances, Jazz Community in Jogjakarta, Bali, and Semarang.
“One thing for sure, there will be magic created when jazz got presented in a very different place like this. It’s something that should not be missed! Are you ready? Let’s pack your bag and experience the mystical and magical jazz spirit courtesy of Ngayogjazz 2011!” he shouted.
Published in JogjaPages.com on January 14, 2011.
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