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Java Jazz Festival 2012: Where Jazz Finds a Home

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Born and bred in the US, jazz has expanded its wings all over the world. Nonetheless, the notion that a city in Southeast Asia, located thousands of miles from the birthland of jazz, would develop to become a venue for one of the world's largest and finest jazz festivals, seemed inconceivable. Since 2005, Jakarta has become the host of a jazz festival featurinng more than 1,000 musicians and attended by more than 100,000 visitors in a three-day span. Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival (usually referred to as Java Jazz Festival) is the largest annual jazz festival in the Southern hemisphere.

Held for the eighth time on 2, 3 and 4 March 2012, this year's Java Jazz Festival boasts an impressive line-up, including Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and David Sanborn. This year's festival will also present the legendary Stevie Wonder, a multi-instrumental musician considered to be a cross-genre genius.

An astounding roster of vocalists, including Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, Phil Perry, Erykah Badu, Laura Fygi, Manhattan Transfer and Bobby Caldwell, is a treat of its own. The uniqueness and prowess of each artist will surely be an incomparable jazz-viewing experience.

Where Jazz Finds a Home

Due to be held at the heart of Jakarta, at JIExpo Kemayoran, Java Jazz Festival 2012 will feature 1,500 musicians who will perform on its 18 stages during a 3-day spread. Aside from the aforementioned names, the line-up also boasts Ron Carter, Frank McComb, George Duke Trio, Juilliard Quartet, Carl Allen, Sheila E. & Escovedo Family, Rodney Whitaker, Gerald Albright, Medeski Martin & Wood, Jeff Lorber, Jonathan Butler, Chris Standring, David Garfield, Joey DeFrancesco, Mamas Gun, Soil & Pimp Session, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Mayer Hawthorne & the County, Ron King Big Band, Depapepe, Taylor McFerrin, Duwende, Swing Out Sister, D'Sound, Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, Triba, Simon Grey and Dave Koz. Representing the remarkable jazz talent of Indonesia, among which, are Dewa Budjana, Simak Dialog, Indro Hardjodikoro & the Fingers, Balawan, Dwiki Dharmawan & Sa'unine String Quartet, Indra Lesmana, Indra Dauna, Sandy Winarta, Andi Wiriantono, Andien, Ade Irawan, Donny Koeswinarno, Barry Likumahuwa, Yance Manusama & the Funky Thumb, Twilite Orchestra, Notturno, Monita Tahalea, Tohpati Ethnomission, Indonesian Youth Generation and Fajar Adi Nugroho.

Furthermore, on the days that Java Jazz Festival is held, musicians gather in a cosy lounge for the signature jam session. Scheduled to commence at midnight, the jam session usually lasts until the break of dawn. The jazz spirit trancends diversity of background, belief, culture and nationality. Jazz musicians attending the session are continuously pleasantly suprised, as they do not usually suspect that such spirit and activity could happen in a city such as Jakarta. When jazz is in session, everybody is engulfed in the warmth of the moment

Java Jazz Festival, where jazz finds a home.

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