John McLaughlin once said, “The Real Musician is God. He is A Mastermusician. Human is only His instruments”. This is one of the deepest spiritual reflections which came from a legendary jazz musician. Being one of the all time greatest guitarists in the world as he is, the “Mahavisnu” came into the conclusion that we will never be able to accomplish any great things in life without the hands of God. That should applied to artists and musicians too.
We have seen many musicians including the jazz ones who often injected some spiritual elements into their music concepts, no matter what their beliefs is. In the Islamic world the case is just the same. From Art Blakey, Ahmad Jamal, McCoy Tyner to John Coltrane have infused some spiritual messages in their musics. Let’s not forget the “Tabligh” from Wadada Leo Smith’s Golden Quartet released in 2008. In Indonesia we often hear the Islamic religious songs and even albums. Tompi has done that, Idang Rasjidi too, when he relased the album called “Sound of Belief” in 2004, re-released in 2006. This album featured many big names including Bintang Indrianto, Dian HP, AS Mates, Gerry Herb, Arief Setiadi, Hendri Lamiri, Nya’ Ina Raseuki, Rayendra Sunito and many more comprised of songs that would be great to listen to especially in the Ramadhan month like this.
Realizing that jazz is also connected to the spiritual world and can be a good vehicle to present the religious expression through music, WartaJazz in cooperation with the Islamic Youths of Cut Meutia Mosque (RICMA) proudly present a special jazz event to celebrate the holy month and call it “Ramadhan Jazz Festival”. This special event will be held for 2 days, from 12th to 13th of August, 2011, taking place at Plaza Masjid Cut Meutia Menteng starting at 9 pm right after Taraweeh prayer.
While stating that the event will be served for free, some big names have confirmed their enthusiasm to join in. Some of the names are: Dwiki Dharmawan Spiritual Ensemble, Tompi, Andien, Iwan Abdie & The Bright Side, Komunitas Jazz Kemayoran (KJK) and the coordinator Beben Jazz, Joe Abdul & Friends, Live at Wonderland, Ade Rudiana, Zarro, Violet Jessica, Clorophyl, Soulvibe, Boys II Boys, Demas Narawangsa, Diah Ayu, VNS, The Extra Large, and also some performers who had participated in Jazz in School program earlier such as Bag + Beat, Voiceless & Soulastic, Hivi! and Radhini ft Bayu Isman.
For Moslems, this is the Holy Month that brings blessings. It’s a month of reflections, self-refinement and worship, and yes, you can also do it through jazz. Let’s join and worship God together in jazz style, this weekend. See you there!
Ramadhan Jazz
Date: Friday and Saturday, August 12 & 13, 2011
Time: 09:00 pm – onwards (Ba’da Taraweh)
Location: Plaza Masjid Cut Meutia, Menteng, Jakarta
