The world's greatest living jazz composer had every right to hog the Bangkok limelight. But that's not Benny Golson's style
A joint effort between King Power and Platinum Marketing and Distribution, "Benny Golson: The Real Jazz Live in Bangkok 2009" brought a true jazz legend back to Thailand for the first time in 15 years.
Golson has obviously kept in touch with developments on the Thai jazz scene: he didn't bother bringing his own backing for the show at Aksra Theatre, preferring the expertise of local musicians. Den "Danny" Euprasert took piano duty while Naphat Piriyakitsarun was on drums. On bass, though, was leading Dutch composer and arranger Joris Teepe who's worked with jazz greats like Randy Brecker and Rashied Ali.
Golson, now 80, played in the bands of Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey, so it was no surprise to see a huge turnout of local jazz fans and musician keen to see one of the "immortals" play. Among the crowd were Sopchai Kraiyoonsen, Thanakorn Posananonda, Thanaphorn Palakawong na Ayudhya and MR Srikhamrung Yugala.
Most were there to hear Golson compositions that carved a place in jazz history (he's written eight standards - more than any other living musician).
The tenor-sax man left no one disappointed, blowing through 10 tunes that define his career. Between each, he entertained fans with anecdotes and a wry sense of humour, showing why he's known as an all-round entertainer.
The repertoire ranged in emotion from sombre to rollicking, but things were mostly on the up side, reflecting the vibrant times of his early career in hometown Philadelphia, where he composed some of his classics while playing with John Coltrane and Jimmy Health.
Due to a downpour, many fans including this reviewer showed up late. I managed to get there for the third tune, "Along came Betty", which instantly struck a chord with the audience. Despite getting on in years, Golson launched into the swinging rhythm with gusto. the stamina he showed was probably down to disciplined daily practice sessions that last up to an hour or more. A couple of the passages were lungbusters,though, and it was no surprise he needed to pause for breath.
Step forward bassist Teepe with pianist Den "Danny" (Rangsit University lecturer and Thailand's latest Silpathorn Award recipient in music) and Naphat (also a Rangsit lecturer and the country's leading jazz drummer). They did an excellent job, providing faultless accompaniment and adding their own distinctive groove to the jazz giant's originality.
"I'm not a good saxophone player," said Golson, taking modesty a little too far (he's awesome). "But they [the back-up musicians] make me sound very good. I should take them back to Manhattan with me!"
Soon after came the poignant "I Remember Clifford", a track dedicated to a friend who was killed in a car accident, followed by the lively "Take A Train".
Retreating for a break, Golson left the stage to the back-up trio and "How Deep is the Ocean". Sweet and smooth, the gentle, deep rhythm seemed to transport the crowd to a smoky jazz dive in New York.
Their chance to shine individually came during "Stablemates", with each musician taking turns for a solo. Naphat cut loose, his stop-start, crescendo-building rhythms stealing the show.
For a finale, Golson served up his timeless classic "Whisper Not", with talented jazz singer Bharavee Sombatsiri appearing at the mike in a black ruffled dress. It was the only song of the night, and Bharavee's soulful vocals won thunderous spplause from the crowd, joined by Golson himself.
Back onstage for an encore, Golson stepped like an infantryman to the martial rhythms of "Blues March". He was showing signs of fatigue by this stage but soldiered on to wrap up the evening with a confident flourish.
The audience took away memories that will last.
Rather than a concert that focused exclusively on a big star, at times it felt like a thrilling jam session with a jazz legend thrown in. Self-effacing and above all generous, it seems that Golson enjoys company in the spotlight.
"Rollicking melodies reflected the vibrant times of his early career in hometown Philadelphia, where he composed some of his classics while playing with John Coltrane and Jimmy Health.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Royal Music Day
Chulalongkorn University celebrates "CU Royal Music Day" on September 20. There will also be an exhibition to commemorate HM the King's annual music performance at the university from 1958 to 1973. The highlight of the event will be a concert by the CU band, featuring classical compositions in the honour of the monarch's musicianship.
The performance will begin at 4pm and held at Chulalongkorn University's Main Auditorium. Free admission. Call 02-218-3364, or 02-218-7045/6.
The performance will begin at 4pm and held at Chulalongkorn University's Main Auditorium. Free admission. Call 02-218-3364, or 02-218-7045/6.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Indonesia nationalists vow war on Malaysia
Simmering anger in Indonesia over Malaysia's "theft" of a traditional dance is spurring unlikely calls for war in the latest spat between the two traditionally testy neighbours.
The dispute started in Indonesia in August after word spread Malaysia had screened tourism advertisements featuring the traditional "pendet" dance of Indonesia's Hindu-majority Bali island.
The ad quickly turned out to have been a botched promotion for a Discovery Channel programme on Malaysia,with no role played whatsoever by Malaysia's government, but that has done little to dampen the angry feelings.
Protesters vowing to "crush Malaysia"have burned Malaysian flags and thrown rotten eggs at the country's embassy,For weeks, local media have run a steady stream of reports of Malaysian outrages,most of them recycled.
Many media have also studiously ignored an admission of guilt and apology from Discovery.
Nationalists - as they do in nearly every one of the two countries' frequent disputes - have already opened registration for volunteers willing to go to war with Malaysia, but admit this is largely a symbolic gesture.
"Malaysia has, in so many ways, robbed, stolen from and insulted Indonesia ... we're offended as a people. We're angry, we're disappointed, we're upset,"said Mustar Bonaventura, the coordinator of a Jakarta recruitment drive by nationalist youth group Bendera.
"We have 486 volunteers who have signed up and they are ready for any consequences ... All that's left for us with Malaysia is war," he said.
Mr Bonaventura conceded war was very unlikely, but said the group had stockpiled food, medicine and weapons including samurai swords and ninja throwing stars, just in case.
Indonesian politicians have also voiced their displeasure to Malaysia over the controversy, and received apologies in return, but the issue has refused to die down.
For Mr Bonaventura and others, the pendet dance controversy is only the latest in a string of perceived insults by Indonesia's wealthier and more developed neighbour.
Stories of horrific mistreatment of Indonesian migrant workers by their Malaysian bosses have for years raised public anger, as have territorial disputes over islands and the two nations' shared maritime boundaries.
Indonesian nationalists have also claimed in recent weeks that Malaysia's national anthem plagiarised an Indonesian song, but have been dealt a blow by musicologists who say both borrow from a 19th-century French tune.
A 2007 dispute over the use of Rasa Sayange , a folk song that originated in Indonesia's Maluku islands, in aMalaysian tourism ad has much in common with the current dispute.
According to political analyst Wimar Witoelar, the current spat draws on a long history of resentment between Indonesia and Malaysia despite largely similar languages and cultures.
Mr Witoelar said the roots lie mainly in the early 1960s, when charismatic former president Sukarno whipped Indonesia into a fervour in a campaign of konfrontasi , or armed confrontation aimed at destabilising the newly created Federation of Malaysia.
"The basic resentment that Sukarno encouraged did not go away easily. It was just submerged, so it become significant when it turned out Malaysia became more successful, especially economically," he said. Spats over culture and tourism are part of this built-up resentment, Mr Witoelar added.
Despite 17,000 tropical islands,beaches, reefs and a rich cultural heritage,roughly six million foreign tourists visited Indonesia last year, compared with around 22 million visitors to Malaysia.
Provoked by a sensationalist media,this is just another issue of hurt pride that can incite people "deprived of common sense, deprived of intelligence, deprived of understanding", he said.
The dispute started in Indonesia in August after word spread Malaysia had screened tourism advertisements featuring the traditional "pendet" dance of Indonesia's Hindu-majority Bali island.
The ad quickly turned out to have been a botched promotion for a Discovery Channel programme on Malaysia,with no role played whatsoever by Malaysia's government, but that has done little to dampen the angry feelings.
Protesters vowing to "crush Malaysia"have burned Malaysian flags and thrown rotten eggs at the country's embassy,For weeks, local media have run a steady stream of reports of Malaysian outrages,most of them recycled.
Many media have also studiously ignored an admission of guilt and apology from Discovery.
Nationalists - as they do in nearly every one of the two countries' frequent disputes - have already opened registration for volunteers willing to go to war with Malaysia, but admit this is largely a symbolic gesture.
"Malaysia has, in so many ways, robbed, stolen from and insulted Indonesia ... we're offended as a people. We're angry, we're disappointed, we're upset,"said Mustar Bonaventura, the coordinator of a Jakarta recruitment drive by nationalist youth group Bendera.
"We have 486 volunteers who have signed up and they are ready for any consequences ... All that's left for us with Malaysia is war," he said.
Mr Bonaventura conceded war was very unlikely, but said the group had stockpiled food, medicine and weapons including samurai swords and ninja throwing stars, just in case.
Indonesian politicians have also voiced their displeasure to Malaysia over the controversy, and received apologies in return, but the issue has refused to die down.
For Mr Bonaventura and others, the pendet dance controversy is only the latest in a string of perceived insults by Indonesia's wealthier and more developed neighbour.
Stories of horrific mistreatment of Indonesian migrant workers by their Malaysian bosses have for years raised public anger, as have territorial disputes over islands and the two nations' shared maritime boundaries.
Indonesian nationalists have also claimed in recent weeks that Malaysia's national anthem plagiarised an Indonesian song, but have been dealt a blow by musicologists who say both borrow from a 19th-century French tune.
A 2007 dispute over the use of Rasa Sayange , a folk song that originated in Indonesia's Maluku islands, in aMalaysian tourism ad has much in common with the current dispute.
According to political analyst Wimar Witoelar, the current spat draws on a long history of resentment between Indonesia and Malaysia despite largely similar languages and cultures.
Mr Witoelar said the roots lie mainly in the early 1960s, when charismatic former president Sukarno whipped Indonesia into a fervour in a campaign of konfrontasi , or armed confrontation aimed at destabilising the newly created Federation of Malaysia.
"The basic resentment that Sukarno encouraged did not go away easily. It was just submerged, so it become significant when it turned out Malaysia became more successful, especially economically," he said. Spats over culture and tourism are part of this built-up resentment, Mr Witoelar added.
Despite 17,000 tropical islands,beaches, reefs and a rich cultural heritage,roughly six million foreign tourists visited Indonesia last year, compared with around 22 million visitors to Malaysia.
Provoked by a sensationalist media,this is just another issue of hurt pride that can incite people "deprived of common sense, deprived of intelligence, deprived of understanding", he said.
Friday, September 4, 2009
THE SINGING HOTELIER
WHAT IS THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS? If you are going to do something you have to give it your best and when you make your decisions you commit to them. That has always been a habit of mine. YOU RUN SEVERAL HOTELS, PERFORM IN CONCERT, ARE A MOTHER OF FOUR AND WE HAVE HEARD THAT YOU ONLY SLEEP FOR THREE OF FOUR HOURS A DAY. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN THIS ENERGETIC? It's always been like this. I'm a hyper-energetic person. It's more of my personal physical makeup,something to do with my metabolism I suppose.When I was in school I would sometimes stay up for 48 hours at a time to cram everything in before exams. I'd take an occasional 20-minute nap and I would be fine. You can always sleep later. I wish I could be something like a vampire and never have to worry about sleep. When I choose to I can sleep for about 20 hours but when I'm busy, using a pillar to make a quick napping pillow works well, as I recently did during a shopping trip with my daughter-inlaw. WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Sometimes people show me some of my performances on YouTube. I don't know how to open these websites because I'm not computer literate, so I get my secretary to help me look up football fixtures and results. I'll ask,"When is the Champions League? When are Arsenal playing? Check it for me."YOU LIKE FOOTBALL? A little. I like to follow Arsenal. They're a team that doesn't depend on buying expensive players.If I had the money I would buy their team but I don't. I really would love to be a team owner but now that I think about it I would rather worship them on screen. Sometimes when you hear football stars speak you realise how uneducated some of them are. Watching their games really fills me up with adrenalin though,and a feeling that my heart is about to leap out of my chest. It's good, it's healthy! Interests are important. If you don't have any then you become obsessed with yourself. You will be in a marriage of Mr and Mrs Me. With nothing to do people only think of themselves, while ignoring the rest of the world. It's like football; one player can't hog the ball and always go for the goal, it has to be a team effort. EVER THOUGHT ABOUT GOING INTO POLITICS? Politics is dangerous territory. Long ago I was approached by Thaksin Shinawatra. He told me he was forming a political party called Thai Rak Thai and wanted me to be a prominent member.I told him,"Politics is a bad idea. You will be sorry."G
To see an extended interview with Kamala visit gurubangkok.com
To see an extended interview with Kamala visit gurubangkok.com
BEATLES TRIBUTE CONCERT
D&M Music Studio and The Betters Music Academy present a complete review of The Beatles' live performance of their grand finale album Abbey Road in a tribute concert at Goethe-Institute Bangkok on Fri, Sept 11 at 8pm.
This month will mark the 40th anniversary of the British legendary pop rock group's release of Abbey Road - their most talented and sophisticated effort. Their last complete recording sessions were made for this album and it expressed the group's most refined work and the crowning achievement of their incredible sevenyear recording career.
The album also features more three-part harmony singing than any other record, with wellintegrated instrumental playing throughout. Sadly, The Beatles broke up shortly after the album was recorded.
Upon its release in the UK late September in 1969, the album went number one on the chart for 18 weeks and stayed there for 36 weeks.Likewise, it topped the US album chart for 11 weeks and was in the Top 30 for 31 weeks.
All of the songs in this album will be sung by The Betters - Thailand's best-loved Beatles tribute band over the past decade. After the intermission, the band will perform a mixture of The Beatles' top hits and favourites of 1963-1970. Joining the band as special guests will be Kingdow Thivavarnvong on the piano and also vocalist Mongkol Chayasirisobhon in classic style version.
Tickets cost 500 baht (250 baht for students)and can be purchased from Robinson Piano at Siam Discovery Centre (tel 02-658-1080/1). For more information, please call 081-682-8000.
This month will mark the 40th anniversary of the British legendary pop rock group's release of Abbey Road - their most talented and sophisticated effort. Their last complete recording sessions were made for this album and it expressed the group's most refined work and the crowning achievement of their incredible sevenyear recording career.
The album also features more three-part harmony singing than any other record, with wellintegrated instrumental playing throughout. Sadly, The Beatles broke up shortly after the album was recorded.
Upon its release in the UK late September in 1969, the album went number one on the chart for 18 weeks and stayed there for 36 weeks.Likewise, it topped the US album chart for 11 weeks and was in the Top 30 for 31 weeks.
All of the songs in this album will be sung by The Betters - Thailand's best-loved Beatles tribute band over the past decade. After the intermission, the band will perform a mixture of The Beatles' top hits and favourites of 1963-1970. Joining the band as special guests will be Kingdow Thivavarnvong on the piano and also vocalist Mongkol Chayasirisobhon in classic style version.
Tickets cost 500 baht (250 baht for students)and can be purchased from Robinson Piano at Siam Discovery Centre (tel 02-658-1080/1). For more information, please call 081-682-8000.
DISNEY AND BROADWAY IN BANGKOK
She's a Filipino singer and actress. She's also a worldrenowned vocalist, recognised for winning various international awards for a single role. And now she's one of Broadway's greatest stars who enchanted Thai audiences with her portrayal of Cinderella late last year.
Yes, she's Lea Salonga. And next week she will be back to Bangkok for a rare concert performance with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra entitled "The Magic of Disney and Broadway Musicals" at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Sat, Sept 12 at 8pm.
As part of the annual "Great Artists of the World" series, the concert will feature the great songs from Walt Disney's The Lion King, Aladdin,Beauty And The Beast, The Little Mermaid and Mulan , as well as famous Broadway musicals West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Oliver, Miss Saigon and Les Mise'rables .Lea was 17 years old and already a star in her native Philippines when she was discovered by London producer Cameron Mackintosh who had been hunting, from the UK to the US and even Singapore, Hong Kong and finally Manila, for the right girl to play the leading role of Kim in Miss Saigon 20 years ago.She made her professional debut at the age of just seven in The King and I , had taken the lead role in a host of other musicals including Annie , started her recording career aged only 10, and hosted her own TV show Love, Lea .When Miss Saigon finally opened in London in 1989,Lea became an overnight sensation. A new international star was born, hailed by the media and an adoring public who flocked to see the show.
Her performance brought her the coveted Laurence
Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
And when the musical opened on Broadway two years later,it broke several records, including the largest-ever advance sales, totalling almost $25 million (850 million baht). Once again Lea played Kim. As in London, audiences adored her and brought the house down.Also, she walked away with the top award - a Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical.
Since those days in Miss Saigon , Lea has gone on to become a hugely popular artist.She has performed in a number of other Broadway productions,including Les Mise' rables , and given solo concerts at such prestigious venues as New York's Carnegie Hall and Los Angeles'iconic Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall.
But it is as the voice of Disney movies that she is best known to millions around the world. She is the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in the blockbuster hit Aladdin ,and of Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan 2 .Also joining her during the Bangkok concert as conductor for the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra is Gerard Salonga her younger brother.
Gerard is conductor, musical arranger, orchestrator and musical director who has successfully established his own stature and identity in Manila's musical establishment.
Tickets for "The Magic of Disney and Broadway Musicals"concert cost 500,1,000,1,500,2,000,2,500 and 3,000 baht and can be purchased from Thaiticketmajor booths (tel 02-262-3456 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com). For more information, please contact BSO Foundation on 02-255-6617/8 or visit www.bangkoksymphony.org.
Yes, she's Lea Salonga. And next week she will be back to Bangkok for a rare concert performance with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra entitled "The Magic of Disney and Broadway Musicals" at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Sat, Sept 12 at 8pm.
As part of the annual "Great Artists of the World" series, the concert will feature the great songs from Walt Disney's The Lion King, Aladdin,Beauty And The Beast, The Little Mermaid and Mulan , as well as famous Broadway musicals West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Oliver, Miss Saigon and Les Mise'rables .Lea was 17 years old and already a star in her native Philippines when she was discovered by London producer Cameron Mackintosh who had been hunting, from the UK to the US and even Singapore, Hong Kong and finally Manila, for the right girl to play the leading role of Kim in Miss Saigon 20 years ago.She made her professional debut at the age of just seven in The King and I , had taken the lead role in a host of other musicals including Annie , started her recording career aged only 10, and hosted her own TV show Love, Lea .When Miss Saigon finally opened in London in 1989,Lea became an overnight sensation. A new international star was born, hailed by the media and an adoring public who flocked to see the show.
Her performance brought her the coveted Laurence
Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
And when the musical opened on Broadway two years later,it broke several records, including the largest-ever advance sales, totalling almost $25 million (850 million baht). Once again Lea played Kim. As in London, audiences adored her and brought the house down.Also, she walked away with the top award - a Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical.
Since those days in Miss Saigon , Lea has gone on to become a hugely popular artist.She has performed in a number of other Broadway productions,including Les Mise' rables , and given solo concerts at such prestigious venues as New York's Carnegie Hall and Los Angeles'iconic Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall.
But it is as the voice of Disney movies that she is best known to millions around the world. She is the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in the blockbuster hit Aladdin ,and of Fa Mulan in Mulan and Mulan 2 .Also joining her during the Bangkok concert as conductor for the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra is Gerard Salonga her younger brother.
Gerard is conductor, musical arranger, orchestrator and musical director who has successfully established his own stature and identity in Manila's musical establishment.
Tickets for "The Magic of Disney and Broadway Musicals"concert cost 500,1,000,1,500,2,000,2,500 and 3,000 baht and can be purchased from Thaiticketmajor booths (tel 02-262-3456 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com). For more information, please contact BSO Foundation on 02-255-6617/8 or visit www.bangkoksymphony.org.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Madonna pays visit to Western Wall
American pop icon Madonna sparked a media frenzy when the Kabbalah follower toured around the Western Wall, Judaism's top pilgrimage site in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Wearing high heels, blue jeans and a black jacket, the Material Girl was accompanied by her Brazilian model friend Jesus Luz and several bodyguards when she visited the area late on Sunday.
Dozens of onlookers tried to get a glimpse of the music diva while a crowd of photographers snapped away as the 51-year-old ducked into one of the tunnels near the wall.
Madonna landed in Israel on Sunday aboard a private jet and is due to give two concerts in Tel Aviv as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour. During her visit,the singer will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, his office said, as well as opposition leader Tzipi Livni.
Wearing high heels, blue jeans and a black jacket, the Material Girl was accompanied by her Brazilian model friend Jesus Luz and several bodyguards when she visited the area late on Sunday.
Dozens of onlookers tried to get a glimpse of the music diva while a crowd of photographers snapped away as the 51-year-old ducked into one of the tunnels near the wall.
Madonna landed in Israel on Sunday aboard a private jet and is due to give two concerts in Tel Aviv as part of her Sticky and Sweet tour. During her visit,the singer will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, his office said, as well as opposition leader Tzipi Livni.
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