The Cats in The City Enjoy Jazz on the River
MIKE SMITH PARTIED BY THE SARAWAK RIVER AT ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EDITION OF THE KUCHING WATERFRONT JAZZ FESTIVAL 2018.
Kuching is more than just a gateway to Sarawak’s fabulous national parks. It’s a small bustling city, easily explored on foot, with lovely colonial buildings, narrow streets and markets, interesting murals, good food and handicrafts. There is a growing festival and music scene including the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival (KWJF) which just celebrated its 2nd year in the grounds of the Grand Margherita Hotel.
KUCHING - CAT CITY
Kuching is popularly known as “Cat City” as kuching is the Malay word for cat but it may actually have derived its name from “Cochin” the Indian port it traded with. Marketers prefer the cat link and there are many cat statues around the city including one located outside my hotel, the Riverside Majestic with the newly opened Astana Wing, a stone’s throw from its sister hotel Grand Margherita.
I strolled along the Sarawak River to the new twisty, modernistic, pedestrian Darul Hana Bridge which crosses the river and connects the north and south sides of Kuching. There are lovely views of the river, city and the DUN
or Sarawak State Legislative assembly from the bridge. The nearby Square Tower, once a prison and fortress is now the Magenta Restaurant serving international cuisine. Opposite the old Siew San Teng Tua Pek Kong Temple is a huge Orangutan Mural by Siaw on the Singgahsana Lodge building.
More murals can be seen all over town but there are a prolific number in the narrow lanes behind the Old Court House, near the wet market, where you can see works by the famous Lithuanian street artist Ernest Zacharevic, and on Lebuh Wayang.
MEET THE MUSICIANS
The Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival 2018 was organised by the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) and managed by Place Borneo with Gracie Geike as adviser and Asif Pishari as the artistic director who was responsible for the great line up.
During the press conference Gracie Geike stated that the festival formed part of the government’s effort to improve the image and brand of Kuching as a fun city and to create opportunities for local musical talents to showcase themselves and for local food and handicraft entrepreneurs to do business.
The 14 acts, a mix of locals, regional and international artists, introduced themselves and their music. They autographed posters which were sold to aid two local charities.
ENERGETIC & ORIGINAL
The first performance of the festival featured Sang Voyage the winner of a KWJF Jazz Band Search 2018. I’m not surprised they won. Playing mainly original compositions of modern and fusion jazz they got the event off to an energetic start with French sape player Julian Cottet leading from the front.
Another local performer, Jolynn J Chin, who “puts the classical into modern music” was next up. This mega talented, classically trained pianist played mesmerizing tunes, including her first single TOCCATA and an amazing up-tempo variation of the Sound of Music that had the crowd spellbound before she signed off with a selfie with the audience.
CHARMING THE CROWD
The charming Atilia Haron is from a family with a long history in the music industry. A Malaysian favourite she commanded the stage and interacted with the crowd who sang along enthusiastically to her hits.
Indonesian star Aditya kept the audience grooving to his pop, hip hop and R&B songs which included a couple of tribute songs to Michael Jackson. Powerful vocals from Alemay Fernandez, who was hailed by Timeout Magazine as one of Singapore’s “best loved entertainers” made sure the intensity didn’t drop with her mix of original songs and jazz, soul and blues classics.
HAEL HUSAINI AND DAYANG NURFAIZAH
For me, the performance of the night was from the beautiful Dayang Nurfaizah. Her stage presence, sultry tones, vocal prowess, enchanting
smile and humility plus an up tempo, captivating duet with Hael Husaini of their hit song “Haram” left me wanting more.
Popular Indonesian Tulus was the headline act of the evening and had the crowd singing along to his pop ballads as the first day drew to a close.
SHARING SKILLS
There were three free workshops during the festival. Tuku Kame described the history of the sape and gave an opportunity to play and learn a simple tune which was gratefully appreciated by the young and young at heart.
The Blues Gang gave a lesson on playing the lead and bass guitars and showcased their knowledge and understanding of both music theory and practice. Natallie Gillespie Band described their approach to making music and
entertaining the crowd relying on “playing by ear” rather than reading music, a very interesting contrast to the Blues Gang.
SATURDAY NIGHT
The audience was a tad tardy turning up on Saturday night, but that didn’t stop Tuku Kame Jazz, the excellent musicians of the Sarawak Cultural Village led by Narawi Rashidi, from producing a tight new sound incorporating three sapes, brass, percussion and vocals.
D’Cipta and Natallie Gillespie Band both put on solid, hardworking and dynamic performances, but the highlight of the second night in my opinion was Singaporean Aisyah Aziz, who sang well, moved well and looked like a star.
WARM & SLOW
Portuguese Carmen Souza slowed the pace with her warm rendition of contemporary jazz and Cape Verdean culture and then Ito and The Blues Gang took to the stage. Perhaps Malaysia’s finest blues rock band the veteran rockers thrilled the crowd and had everyone bopping away and singing along. Hardly jazz but nobody cared!
Tompi from Indonesia was the final act of the festival followed by a finale comprising all the performers and directed by Asif Pishori. The KWJF has rapidly become a “must go to” event in two short years! I look forward to the 2019 show.
SEMENGGOH WILDLIFE CENTRE
It was a bit of a struggle getting up early next morning, but well worth it as the orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre turned out in force. Orphaned orangutans are learning to adapt to the wild, but frequently return in the morning to the centre for a free handout of bananas. Seven orangutans were within camera range when I visited, including a mother with a very young baby. What a way to end a great trip to Kuching.
A big thank you to Gracie, Sarah and the Place Borneo team who had the Kuching Waterfront Festival 2018 running smoothly.