At the beginning of August, our time in South Korea had come to and end, and we headed off to Bali, Indonesia where we were set to teach at a jazz summer school in Sanur, on the south side of Bali. This was the very first jazz summer school offered in Bali, so the idea of being a sort of ‘jazz pioneer’ was extra incentive to say “Oh hell yeah!” to the idea.
I had never been to Bali before, and even though I grew up in Hawaii, I was looking forward to enjoying their own particular Oceania exoticism.
This school course, organized by Ben and Su Seo in collaboration with the Balinese promoter and organizer, Yuri Mahatma, took place on August 3rd to the 8th on the grounds of the beautiful Harrad’s Hotel, at the edge of the Sanur town. It also had about 45 students in attendance, coming from. Korea, China, and various parts of Indonesia. They were a great bunch, ranging in ages from 41 to as young as 10. What made it work, was that we were doing music, so when things were in full swing then we suddenly ALL were 10-year-olds!
It was more intense than hard work, but besides the compensation of hearing young hearts making music and seeing beautiful smiles, the hotel Harrad’s made sure we got our intake of rocket fuel with great snacks in our breaks everyday. I would have to google to tell you what I ate, but I still remember the deliciousness of it all!
We had a short week of making music and sharing ideas that that ended with a concert by the teachers and then one by the students. I was very proud of my vocal students in both summer schools, because besides having to learn the songs that they were assigned to sing in the concerts (and I did not make it easy for them!) they also had the challenged to sing, as a choir, a Brazilian song in Portuguese – by memory – for their concert. The most important things that they took away from that experience were the tools that they could use to learn a song…in ANY language.
They rocked the house!
What an honor and a privilege it was to have such a fun (and talented) bunch to work with. Jazz in Indonesia has got a great future!
Sadly, the week flew by and the course ended, but naturally that allowed me to change my focus to just relaxing and enjoying Bali.
We took our things and move further inland to the intoxicatingly beautiful Arma Ubud Resort and Museum, which was hosting the international Ubud Village Jazz Festival (co-organized by Yuri Mahatma and his wife Astrid Sulaiman). This two-day event feature an incredible richness of groups from every corner of the globe playing a multitude of styles of jazz. www.ubudvillagejazzfestival.com
There were at least 4 or 5 stages and the Ben van den Dungen Quintet was programmed to be on one stage and I performed as a guest with Astrid Sulaiman – a wonderful pianist – and her trio consisting of: Helmy Agustrian on bass and Piregiorgio Marchesini on drums.
Another artist on the program who I met – and enjoyed listening to – was the lovely Dian Pratiwi, born in Indonesia, but based in Germany. She’s hot stuff; reminds me a bit of Nancy Wilson, but she’s more intense and jazzier. (Yessss girl!)
Later, I performed with Astrid and her trio in a dinner concert at the Uma Cucina resort in Ubud. It was a cozier affair and I even talked Astrid into ‘coming out of her singer’s closet’ and performing a duet with me. (She’s got the goods!)
I got to enjoy the hospitality at Uma as well, staying in one of their fabulous bungalows. (I’m spoiled now. They’ve ruined me FOR LIFE!)
Our time in Bali was slowly coming to an end and there was one more concert, where I joined up with Ben van Dungen and his Quartet to play at Vincent’s, in Candi Dasa – on the southeast side of the island. This restaurant is owned by two Dutch guys who went to Bali, fell in love with it (like everyone does), and actually were lucky enough to stay and start a business. They love their jazz and it was a great venue with a lively audience.
Our last activity before heading off to Holland was a fun seaside dinner, watching the sun go down. It was a nice slow goodbye to a beautiful little island that I’ll never forget. Hope to see you again soon, Bali!
Next mission: Croatia!