Promotor Opens Voice Regarding Prambanan Jazz Criticized Lack Of 'Nge-Jazz'

Anas Syahrul Alimi, Founder of the Prambanan Jazz Festival, opened his voice after the newly completed annual event was criticized because he was considered not to accommodate jazz musicians to appear.

Through a long statement on social media, Anas tried to explain his defense to critics, which he said was hiding behind an anonymous account or full of cynical comments.

"Then allow me, as a promoter who is often accused of 'playing a temple into a pop stage', to convey a pledoi. But calm down, I will not bring an expert witness. I only bring memories and a little satire," said Anas, citing the caption. upload, Thursday, July 10.

Jazz, according to Anas, is not only about improvising notes and scores, but also improvising contexts. Jazz is the courage to fight standard, not just obeying textbooks on dusty shelves.

"So if we present Kenny G, it's not because we don't understandXyrane. But because Kenny G was once the dream of 90s children who hung a saxophone poster on the bedroom wall while hoping to express love with high tones," said Anas.

"And if we present Kahitna, Raisa, or even Korean-American musicians, it's not because we forget the history of jazz, but because we want to create meetings across generations, across genres, and across hearts," he continued.

He said, Prambanan Jazz is not a dictionary, but a living room where music exchanges stories, and not a prestige fight.

"Those who sued this festival because of the 'less jazz' are actually not defending jazz. They are losing their sense of humor. And unfortunately, that sense of humor is what is most needed to understand jazz and live in this country," he said. Then allow Prambanan Jazz to continue dancing between tones and legends. Let Prambanan Temple be a witness that music was never born to be divided. he was born to unite.

Furthermore, Anas gave an example of several world jazz festivals, where not all lines up contain jazz musicians, including John Legend at North Sea Jazz, Prince and Radiohead at the Montreux Jazz Festival, to Sting at the Umbria Jazz Festival.

Quoting Miles Davis as saying "jazz" is a big umbrella, Anas gave an example where jazz musicians also roam outside the standard.

Academic research from Bennett (2012) to Turino (2018) called the music festival a cultural and economic ritual, not just an aesthetic medium. Modern festivals accommodate collective work: from parking managers, tent vendors, cameramen, light designers, to burning sausage MSMEs. They are all part of the sustainability map that determines the longevity of the festival," said the promoter.

"So if we invite pop musicians to the jazz stage, it's not a betrayal. It's a tactic so that this festival lives and everyone who lives behind it continues to eat. We're not defending. Just noting: that maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem sometimes requires compromise. And compromise is not a sin as long as it is done with love and ethical awareness.

At the end of his statement, Anas ensured that he still had respect for jazz, but there were other things that also needed to be considered and appreciated.

"We still respect jazz. But we also respect the electricity that turns on, on the rice box crew, on the soundman who hasn't slept for 32 hours, and for those of you who come from out of town in the hope of finding a little happiness. Therefore, once again: Forgive us who are always guilty every July. But allow us to continue, so that next year we can be guilty together, "he concluded.