Bandung city’s renowned “The Art of Jazz” was having its special occurrence on May 24^th, 2023. They were having Mr. Rio Sidik, the global international trumpeter who has traveled around the world and performed on various jazz scenes in Australia, Africa, Finland, Russia and the United States. It’s no wonder his well established craftsmanship has brought an endless riveting trumpet tones throughout the musical event. At the time, a solid team of Kanggep Kusuma & Friends that consisted of Kanggep Kusuma (guitar), Henky (drums), Buntoro (keyboard), Leo (bass), Mamay Sumantri (vocals) and the trumpeter himself has carried on an amazing beautiful jazz music. The enthusiasm into this occasion was pictured by a full-booked venue which has been occupied by the foreign tourists to jazz-lover youngsters.  

Firstly, they presented an instrumental song by the famous saxophonist Charlie Parker entitled Billies Bounce. It was sung by a composition that implies a lot of improvisation which caught attention of the visitors. In fact, Rio Sidik always played a piece of improvisation in every song he performed and then he launched notes that really amazed the audience. In particular, Kanggep Kusuma on electric guitar and Buntoro Nugroho on piano complemented Rio’s appearance by playing the rhythm section and also improvising with him. Jazz vibe has been deeply felt when the musicians presented trading fours with an improvised responses,  to the extent that it was more exciting for the musicians itself who ultimately made its jazz music performance to be warm and communicative. Here is the set list of jazz standards that were performed:  “Days Wine & Roses”, “Little Sun Flower”, “Summer Time”,  “You are The Sunshine of My Life”, “Masquerade”, “Spain”, “So Danco Samba”, “Fell like Making Love”, “On The Sunny Side of The Street”, “What a Wonderful World” and “On Broadway”. It was seen at front table near the stage,  several young people’s carrying saxophones and trumpets. They seemed to be listening intentionally and keep preparing their musical instrument, which lately join the jam session and improvise in this musical performance at City Terrace Bar de Braga by ARTOTEL Bandung.

Finally, “Cantaloupe Island” was played, and these young peoples joined in to perform by continually substituting to improvise among them, this phenomenon had clearly made the atmosphere to be more intimate and lively, as it visibly shows the audience  to be involved in the musical situation

In one of his appearances, Rio Sidik sang “Wonderful World” with his distinctive voice, which it was accompanied by an improvisation on his trumpet that made the audience giving him their standing ovation.  “The Art of Jazz”  is held regularly every Wednesday night. It is an for visitors who loves jazz.

Bandung, Indonesia – 15th February 2023, De JAVA Hotel Bandung is pleased to announce its annual Valentine’s Day Celebration on Tuesday, 14 February 2023. The Hotel, located in the heart of Bandung, offered a variety of experiences for couple to enjoy on this special occasion. The event will feature live music and exquisite dining.

The venue was filled with a romantic ambiance, featuring flowers on top of pool and soft lighting. The couples alike enjoyed posing for photos in the photoboth and skywalk area, creating unique and memorable keepsakes of the event.

One of the highlights was a romantic dinner at Skyview poolside where couples were treated to an exquisite 4 item of the menu, a box of chocolate and red rose. The dinner was accompanied by live music and unique valentine’s day decoration to create a memorable ambiance. The live music performance will set the mood for the evening, with a selection of romantic songs that will make the couples fall in love.

The jazz music performance lives by Kanggep & Friends was nothing short of spectacular. The music created a romantic and intimate atmosphere, making it the perfect accompaniment for the Valentine’s Day event. The smooth and sensual sounds of the jazz music set the mood for couples to enjoy a night of love and romance. The performance included love songs that created an intimate and emotional atmosphere.

For couples looking for a more intimate experience, de JAVA hotel offered a romantic staycation package that included a luxurious stay in a deluxe room and candle light dinner at skyview poolside. The package was designed to help couples relax and reconnect, while creating lasting memories.

The hotel represents a modern contemporary design with touch of genuine Javanese culture elements, built with truly confident to delivers personalized service and comfort for our guests. de JAVA Hotel Bandung offers 122 tastefully appointed accommodation including 52 superior rooms, 30 deluxe rooms, 30 executives rooms, 4 rooms for ladies, 4 junior suite & 2 suite rooms, de BALE Sundanesia Restaurant, Mana Sky Lounge, poolside, spacious meeting facilities, and ideally supported with facilities for family activities. Combining unique and inspiring design elements as well as uncompromising service level, de JAVA Hotel Bandung will be an ideal preference for business and pleasure traveller.

Bandung was really chill and nice lately as raining season is underway. It will always be the best moment to enjoy our time outside and going somewhere to get some refreshment. Every industry on average had experienced some knack of recovery and people couldn’t wait to have more euphoria in a concert or any social activity. Along with the downtrend of pandemic outbreak, music scene has gotten more energy from its enthusiastic audiences; people had been waiting long enough for this redemption moment. And yes, we gradually back to normal, and social entertainment life had become so priceless, everybody cherishes it and partying more than ever before.

For instance in this so called flower city, Nara Park witnessed it all; it had been becoming home for Jazz Goes to Campus (JGTC) Road Show for several years and in 2022, it surely had its comeback on October 29^th. We can’t be more grateful, and we can’t believe our eyes either; the amount of jubilation on scene was felt more lively which had been longed for a long time. The festive was real; we start with some community bands and then escalating to the most anticipated guest stars. This kind of concept might have been so familiar, but we love it somehow, we just miss this kind of thrilling spectacle so much. Anyway, we will only cover some highlight of the main acts and spotlights which had given so much impression and memory for the spectators, let’s get started.

Firstly, we had the supreme jazz artist Mr. Sri Hanuraga. All of the electrifying stuff had been presented after 7PM. He was accompanied by Alman Naufal on Drums and Hansen on Electric Bass. Presenting three compositions, this set of performance was full of dynamic and intensity. Frankly-speaking, it was satisfying, the word “dynamic and intensity” might not being enough to describe it; it was way more than that. The opening song is called “Hyperreality” which has set us to an imaginative journey to discover a musical fantasy in a heart thumping emotion. The song itself presented a mysterious adventure through challenges, turmoil and space. And definitely, we found a signature progressive improvisation by Sri Hanuraga. He showed a spectacular craftsmanship and magnificent control to play a highly sophisticated performance. Meanwhile, the rhythm section keeps the execution on track by showcasing a rigorous effort of times-keeping. Also, the interplay was massive and have gone really unimaginably far and beyond; not only in this song but in every corner of the performance. The team just simply had it all, storytelling, exploration, risk-taking on time division and harmony interpretation. As well as in the third song called “Yestoday” this had been written by Sri Hanuraga’s disciple, Audi Nathania; we got a mesmerizing drum solo by Alman Naufal. He really couldn’t stop to make us surprised. The vamped drum solo in this tune did match with Alman Naufal’s fluid style of drumming. He presented the solo with a portion of poly-metric and really did embrace a lot of colors; he knows how to escalate the emotion proportionally and being highly responsive in a spontaneous situation. Hansen also did a very good job by keeping the theme, part, and flowing on its place. This Sri Hanuraga, Alman Naufal, and Hansen playing is best for you who loves an exploration and highly intense jazz music that is very tight plus very emotionally satisfying. Even though we are already familiar with Sri Hanuraga and Alman Naufal way of presenting jazz music, but there is always a novelty and surprise in each and every of their live appearance.

Furthermore, we also got a breeze of dynamic in a song called “23-10” with an addition of the legendary ITBJazz drummer Shallom and the bassist KJ who are also featured with the star by playing two tunes which were consisting of “Chytania” and “Alchemy”.                 

Certainly, the Jazzversity initiative was a very big and visionary move. “We want to expand jazz music by giving an access to young and talented jazz musician to his senior and mega star in jazz scenes nowadays; so they can experience and learn directly from their predecessor in an educational and/or professional setting”, said Anbiya Nawfal, the founder of Jazzversity. “This new initiation could bring so much positive impact in our jazz scene. Knowing that this action will lead to a massive development in jazz music quality as we in contact directly with our role model and giving the young one to keep advancing and keep up with the most updated skillset and attitude in jazz music; our vision of better and progressive future in jazz music scene is well secured”, said Alman Naufal.

Afterward, we also had Endah N Resha on stage that is being very familiar for not only theirs own fans but also the participants in their weekly community schedule of song-writing master class. As usual this husband and wife are showcasing a magnificent showmanship and entertainment.

Ultimately, it’s been long that we miss this kind of refreshing and joyful vibe, we really has treasured it deep in our heart; this hope of tomorrow and desired positive future state is what have kept us alive. “Keep that dream and vision alive, so that we know our goal which will constantly give immense spirit and endurance to keep moving forward for our future in a valuable manner”, said Alman Naufal as he concluded.     

The hallmark of jazz music performance is “jam session”. Every Wednesday night at “City Terrace Bar de Braga by ARTOTEL”, each other can be joint on stage of “The Art of Jazz”.

It took place at terrace of the well-known braga street with its magnificent ambience which attracts many tourists to enjoy quality food and beverage.

The café itself is a rendez-vous for many occasion, it was a nice place for romantic date night to a serious bussiness meeting. It also functions as a lobby for hotel’s guests. The venue itself always packed with a lot of jazz-lovers when the event is held, community gets a chance to relax or even participate in an open jam session.  Not only that we could benefit in a musical engagement, the jazz showcase often offers many special dinner package exclusively in a regular basis.

As it was held regularly every Wednesday since its premier episode in July 6^th, 2022; the regular jazz music will soon come to its ninth episode. Each live jazz music episode is always featured by an open jam session.

Rhythm section in “The Art of Jazz” consists of Alman Naufal on drums, Balqi Lesmana on electric bass, Kanggep Kusuma on electric guitar and Boyke Priyo Utomo on Saxophone.

Meanwhile, numbers of jazz standards repertoire were presented based on the jazz legacy’s of Real Book. They have gone with more variation of rearrangement in their personalized jazz rhythm which brings us to more contemporary approach of modern concept improvisation.

Poly-tonalities and poly-rhythms were a common spectacle in this occation. They had showed us an insane spotaneous craftmanship which is interesting for beginner musician to take a lesson from.  As more rookies were present in the venue, they are also able to participate on stage in the second session, visitors are welcome to subtitute the home band musician position in an instruments and/or vocal.   

Playing music was always fun when we get to share it with others. Interplaying, sharing, and bouncing ideas off of each other also indicate the essence of jazz music.

Recently, we had a professional renowned jazz musician Rio Sidik in a jam session scene. He eventually joined right after the commencement of third song in the first session. The way he plays his melody and tune were the main spotlight that entices its spectators.  

He had this powerful characteristic that helps him flow attractively through the music; the notes were presented accurately which are loved and it had invited a round of applause from the audiences.  

Par consequence, his style of playing changes the whole atmosphere in this venue. As the result, the rhythm sections were changed dramatically to compensate its smooth yet deep connection into his wonderful trumpet-playing.   

His unpredictable appearance on stage gets massive attention from our dear guests. Serendipitous encounter in this turn of event gives him the spotlight he deserves.

Not only a beautiful-playing trumpeter, we also had a ferocious national bassist “Yuke Sampurna” that steals a lot of attention by making himself so naturally into a high demand to be asked for photo together with him.

Yuke played progressively into funky-jazz style. His passionate and powerful upbringing had lived up the stage and hyped-up the audiences.

Not only the renowned indonesian-artists, we also allowed many local musicians and jazz-rookies to participate in the jam session.

Jam session has been becoming one of the greatest attraction for the venue. As Braga street is widely known for its charm to be visited by celebrity and international tourist; they would love to join on stage to play number of repertoires which instantly become an attraction of spontaneity. This occation also allows jazz player to come together, get to know each other, and learn from one another. In general, ‘The Art of  Jazz’ brings an idea to let anyone having a chance to improvise on stage. We love sharing music with fellow musicians and making social interaction in a musical setting.

If you love jazz music and its culture, you may find it every Wednesday evening in the “City Terrace Bar of de Braga hotel by ARTOTEL”, at 8PM-11PM.

We could find a presentation of jazz music which is rich of improvisation and open for a jam session. Then, you may satisfy your appetite by getting yourself a specialities of gastronomy in this café.   

Dear jazz-lovers, we are looking forward to meet you in this magnificent jazz scene! It is currently one of the great choice to enjoy attraction of jazz music in Bandung city, capital of West Java, Indonesia! We hope to see you soon!

If you love jazz music, you might want to visit one of the best area in Bandung. “City Terrace Bar de Braga by ARTOTEL” will hold a regular jazz concert which starts from July 2022. They called it “The Art of Jazz”, the place where people like you can jam and benefit from the best view and food.

They will feature five jazz musicians, consist of:

Two years ago, we hardly had any musical event. Recently, Bandung anticipates more event to come in various locations. So, we could expect more musical displays in “The Art of Jazz” to enjoy and hang out with.

One of the music event  in Bandung has been giving a live jazz music performance  on AOM Dining Club, Pasir Kaliki Street, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. The musical performances Tue May 10th, 2022 consisted of Alman Naufal (drums), Balqi Lesmana (Bass) Imam Pras (piano) & Kanggep Kusuma (guitar).

For musician, a song is a dialogue between instruments, and their approach is the same whether they’re soloing or playing rhythm.

The audience was entertained by the strains of mainstream jazz songs that were full of improvisation.

The players in this jazz quartet are Alman Naufal, He is very skilled and competent. He can add a solid jazz feel to a musical composition. produce a unique and new feel.

Kanggep Kusuma, he is a jazz guitar player and music lecturer at a university in Bandung. He supports every song composition that is played with his interpretation style. The combination of polyrhythm and suggestive playing style that he plays in each composition forms an interesting harmonious sound. His guitar playing encourages interaction with all players.

Balqi Lesmana, he is an amazing jazz bass player. He creates a lot of fillings and rhythmic modulations, He supports and compensates everyone in the band who produces amazingly beautiful music.

Imam Pras, he is an extraordinary jazz arranger . During the performance we exchanged many phrasing and rhythmic compositions, He always managed to encour age everyone in the band to produce quality of music.

The event Inspyro Make a Move held by Inspyro Moves, happening on 5 & 6 June 2021, has been a memorable journey for all the dancers, crews, and audiences. The first collaboration between drummer Alman Naufal and three dancers followed by a vibrant duet from Jessica Christina and Arif Surahman, in collaboration with guitarist Kanggep A. Kusuma and saxophonist Billy, brought audiences’ excitement to another level.

The audiences were also amazed by the second segment which consisted of three awe-inspiring dance artworks ‘The Missing Souls’, ‘State of Uncertainty’, and ‘PERSEVERE’ created by rising choreographers from Inspyro Moves. The choreographers’ talk also went beyond expectation as the audiences got their questions answered amazingly by three young & talented generations Clara Neisha, Abdul Hadi, and Laurine Oscarina.

Finally, the final performance from UP – Close 2021 Dancers gave the audiences a different approach to dance through the Jazz Fusion choreography by Arif Surahman. The energy didn’t stop as all dancers who attended the show turned themselves in the jamming session that was led by musicians Kanggep A. Kusuma (guitar), Alman Naufal (drum), and Billy (saxophone).

What a night to remember! This whole event has also become a milestone for Inspyro Moves to always keep their passion alive and their spirit on fire. “I’m very excited for what’s coming. This event and the process behind it have pushed me to unleash more of my potential and have inspired me to always do my best in whatever situation I am in”, said one of the dancers of Inspyro Make a Moves.

To see a glimpse of the event: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CQDsmvHBgvM/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Inspyro Moves, established in 2015 by Jessica Christina, is a platform that aims to grow the Contemporary Dance community in Indonesia as well as to equip local dancers in achieving greater heights in their dancing by giving them opportunity, knowledge, and experience from various workshops and events.

In addition, the team hopes to encourage the society to appreciate and celebrate this art form, Contemporary Dance. Even though the pandemic is not over yet, Inspyro Moves will continue to carry out the vision by creating innovative dance programs so that Indonesian dance scene will keep on improving. Connect with them to know more about contemporary dance and their work : Instagram : @inspyro_moves,  Youtube Channel : Inspyro Moves.

Pandemic has affected the world of arts in so many ways and dancers have felt the significant impacts & changes on how they practice, how they choreograph, and how they perform. Instead of staying quiet, the dance studio Inspyro Moves keeps on trying to create opportunities for dancers to equip and improve. “This is not the time to give up. This is the time to dream big, to acknowledge the truth, and to come up with a plan.”, said Jessica Christina, the founder of Inspyro Moves, thinking that one of the most important things to do is to move forward and keep dance alive.

Jessica herself has created a platform RE – work for rising choreographers (students of Inspyro Moves) to explore their creativity, technique, vocabulary, and knowledge in Contemporary Dance while practicing their abilities to create an artwork. In the process, the choreographers get a conducive space to reconstruct a dance piece they have created before, as well as to make progress through changes and adjustments needed for the item. This year, Jessica has three young and talented choreographers in this program and one of them is still 12 years old.

Besides, an annual dance program, UP – CLOSE Dance Intensive, has been designed to facilitate dancers in a specific genre through a 5 – day intensive training. This year, Inspyro Moves longs to elevate the Jazz Fusion dance scene in Bandung and has invited a well – known choreographer Arif Surahman to train the chosen dancers with physical exercises, technique drills, and explorations that will be wrapped in a form of choreography.

As we all know, the pandemics have forced people to think outside the box, to imagine their world anew. How can dance emerge fresh? “Collaboration! We can’t do things alone. If we want to go far, we have to go together. We need others in everything. To overcome this season, it is obvious that we have to go together”, said Jessica. Inspyro Moves has also been eager to bring dance to another level by doing collaboration projects with different Indonesian artists from Jakarta, Jogjakarta, and Bandung. The team finally came to a question “What’s dance without good music?” as mentioned by Inspyro Moves Art Director Salvius Alvin at one of their meetings, which leads them to the idea of collaborating with musicians Kanggep A. Kusuma, Alman Naufal, and Billy.

All things brought up above will be presented on INSPYRO MAKE A MOVE, happening on 5 & 6 June at Inspyro Moves (Jalan Kresna No. 52, Bandung, Indonesia). This event is a celebration of what Inspyro Moves has been doing in the middle of a pandemic. The show will kick off with a performance from Alman with three movers, followed by a dance duet from Jessica Christina and Arif Surahman, in collaboration with Kanggep (guitar) and Billy (saxophone). The other segments of the event will be amazing performances from RE – work and UP – CLOSE Dance Intensive 2021.

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The jazz drummer and song writer Alman Naufal elevates a special vibes on his recent comeback promotion. It’s all started with his first ever release ‘The Initiative’ on July 7^th, 2020 and now his comeback with ‘ENTITY’ on March 31^st, 2021 at 12PM is also going to be a whole straight forward instrumental jazz trio consist of drums, bass and guitar. We might expect more solos and intense interplays as we’ve seen in the album highlight medley which has been released in last Friday, but it seems that there will be always even more to come as Alman Naufal said about his music and upcoming release, “In making music we believe in a consistent improvement, improvisation, and freedom of self-expression. We will always deliver the most recent and innovative musicianship in a platform of rich harmonic, and rhythmic movements. We aim to achieve a creation of deep and heavy-meditative music through a contrast musical narration of laid-back jazz rhythms and straight-forward melody which is very challenging, but emotionally rewarding. It involves every spectrum of dynamics and syncopations in the making of our sensitive, perceptive and highly responsive music”. His contrast style of jazz presentation is an interesting highlight to anticipate in this album, the musical narration itself will bring us to particular breath taking adventures of tension and release. For furthermore information let’s take a look to the following interview.   

Q: How are you? What are you feeling right now? What do you think about these pandemic times? Is there any message you want to express to your listeners?

Alman Naufal: I’m great thank you! We are feeling grateful right now that we are able to safely deliver our feelings through our music in the middle of this global predicament and in this particularly hard time, we want to support, accompany, and remind our listeners that in every storm, we are one step away to be in a clear and bright sunny days. Even though the world have fallen into a pandemic state, if you and I unite, to gather our heart towards our dream and vision for the sake of humanity, together we can do anything, nothing can stop us to keep going. You will never be alone; together with us, you will always find friends who are not going to give up. Keep moving toward your goal! No matter where you are, stay safe, stay healthy!

Q: Why it has to be ENTITY?

Alman Naufal: Our existence as a unique individual attracts people that have a similar vision and passion with us. This natural force brings us a realization that in every experience we’ve had, in every person we’ve met; it becomes us, it becomes ENTITY, and it brings us to our choices. We believe in a consistent improvement, improvisation, and freedom of self-expression. We’re value driven, and by this album we want to present a bonded-strength of interplay together with a passionate self-expression through improvisation as one, as an ENTITY.

Q: What do you think about your fellow members?

Alman Naufal: They’re very skillful and competent. They could do anything, and give a solid jazz feeling into the music. The process itself become so smooth with them, we exchange a lot of personal statement in our playing, but we still make it harmonious and synergizing, we stick to our core value to facilitate freedom of expression and mutual respect to produce a whole new unique composition. And then, Mr. Kanggep Kusuma had his own style of song interpretation. The mixed of polyrhythms and suggestive-playing style which he brings to the compositions had established a special harmonious sounds- the one of a kind. You won’t encounter many players who play like this. It was unique yet challenging; he brings everything in a whole new level of interplays. As for Mr. Balqi Lesmana, he is a magnificent groove and times keeper. We do exchange a lot of fills and rhythmic-modulations, and then in every time I play with him- in every flow we made, it feels magical. He supports and compensates everyone in the band which produced an unbelievably beautiful music.

Q: Are there any particular messages you want to convey to your listeners with the album?

Alman Naufal: Dear listeners, I want to convince you that you are special, you are unique, you are one of a kind, take a good care of yourself, and the world will take care of the rests. As an ‘ENTITY’, you are able to surround yourself with everything and every people you love, do what you want to do, achieve what you want to achieve, think what you want to think; because it’s all about you, it’s your journey, it’s your story. ‘ENTITY’ is all about uniqueness and how we could achieve amazing, special things as a group when all of its members are confidence in their own skin; to have courage and freedom to express their true self.

Q: What are your upcoming plans for the rests of 2021?

Alman Naufal: We will work hard to come back with a new special jazz album very soon! Please look forward into it!

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This interview was arranged by AN ENTERTAINMENT, 2021.03.27, 4PM.

If you’re kind of person who like to be relaxed and confidence, this upcoming music might be for you. We will expect new mainstream jazz album from an energetic jazz drummer and song-writer, Alman Naufal. To know why it will get along with a cool person like you, we have interviewed him on July, 2^nd.

Q: What’s your motivation in making music?

We believe in helping people to be relaxed, confidence and to enjoy their life.

Q: How could this music help our life?

This music has a unique function to help us relax and focus. In a nice setting, it will be able to establish an elegant ambience and vibe which will unconsciously give us a boost on our self-esteem. All come from the unique, dynamic chord changes, and cool rhythms.

Q: Why are you choosing jazz-mainstream concept on your music?

Because it’s entertaining, we all know very well that this style presents a clear jazz musical form from the theme to improvisation. So the listeners could understand it easily, and be fascinated by the unpredictability which is presented by the player’s improvisation.

Q:  What jazz-fans could expect from this release?

You could anticipate a catchy theme and improvisation from each instrument. It will give you clearer idea in what’s going on in every player, because we had made it in jazz trio concept which provides us with a lot of space to interplay and express ourselves.

Q: What is a unique factor that differentiates this jazz album?

Each player contributes to the uniqueness of this release. It has some sense of simplicity that helps audience to enjoy the music.

Q: What impacts do you want to give to your listeners?

I believe that everybody deserves to be happy. I believe that everybody is able to live their life and to be themselves.

Q: Is it possible to be notified right when it’s released?

Yes, click on this link: https://unitedmasters.com/m/almannaufal-ti and you will have saved the album in advance. Once it’s released, it’s all yours.