Irsa Destiwi Talks About The Difficulty Of Public Jazz In Indonesia

Irsa Destiwi appeared in BRI Jazz Gunung Series 3 Ijen (doc. Mount Indonesia Jazz)

JAKARTA - As a pioneer who has been involved in the Indonesian jazz scene for a long time, Irsa Destiwi feels that the music genre that was born in New Orleans, USA is not easy to 'community' in Indonesia.

In art, Irsa has never forced her songs to become so popular among the general public.

"If you go public in general, I don't know, and I don't require it, like what to do to force it," said Irsa Destiwi, met after appearing in the Mount Series 3 Ijen Jazz at Taman Gandrung Terakota, Banyuwangi, last weekend.

According to him, jazz music is very personal. Therefore, it is difficult to force people to listen to jazz if there is no interest from the start.

"Because jazz must be from us first, we have to be happy. If for example not happy, then why be told to listen to it," he said.

"It means, if people are not happy, they don't want to listen to jazz, then they are told to listen to jazz. No, jazz is not like that," he continued. Jazz must come from us ourselves. We are happy, we listen. We are not happy, so we didn't listen. And it's not wrong too.

But in addition, Irsa sees the existence of a jazz music festival as important. Not just to introduce jazz to the public with a bigger stage, but to become an arena for musicians to present their original works.

"It's important or not, it actually depends on people's perceptions. But if it's for jazz musicians, it's definitely important. Because jazz musicians also need a forum, where we can express or perform our original songs in the right place, at the jazz festival," said Irsa.

He also criticized several jazz events which he said actually ruled out jazz musicians from line up ranks.

"It's not like we hear a lot now, it's a jazz festival, but how come it's pop or something like that," said Irsa.

"It means, not only jazz labels, but also jazz. At least 60 percent of jazz musicians are involved," he said.