Showbiz: A keroncong dream come true

New Straits Times 2010/06/03

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Her songs are already popular on YouTube. Now, teen singing sensation Jamilah Abu Bakar will get to perform with her idols in a tribute concert to traditional music, writes DENNIS CHUA


TEENAGE singing sensation Jamilah Abu Bakar is set to join veteran keroncong stars Datuk Yusni Hamid and Adilla Idris and Sarawak’s pop king Bob Yusof in a tribute to traditional music at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas, KLCC. A student at Sekolah Menengah Taman Tasik Ampang, the 15-year-old’s renditions of Asli music are popular on YouTube. She also represented the country at the International Children’s Festival in Turkey three years ago.

Jamilah of Bagan Serai, Perak, the seventh of nine siblings, aspires to become a traditional pop singer and music educationist.

She will be singing alongside Yusni — one of her idols who also include Datuk Sharifah Aini and Datuk Siti Nurhaliza — in the concert Keroncong Kasih — Menyusur Zaman on June 7 and 8.
Like Yusni, Adilla and Bob, Jamilah is also making her debut at DFP.

“It’s been my dream to sing alongside Kak Yusni. She’s the queen of keroncong music,” she says.

Jamilah learnt to sing at seven. With encouragement from her parents Abu Bakar Ismail and Kamariah Che Soh, she started taking part in contests. At 10, she sang in the Education Ministry’s Royal Concert at Putra World Trade Centre before the 12th Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail and then Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
She then trained under keroncong masters Abdullah Safri, Mahzan Manan, Rahim Anuar and the late Wawang Wijaya and won the Selangor Schools Talent Contest in 2006.

The following year, she won Bintang Kecil RTM Selangor FM, and two years later, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre’s Johan KLPaC and the Selangor-level Patriotic Songs Contest.

She also performed at two National Day celebrations — Shah Alam in 2006 and Kuala Lumpur in 2008.
“Asli music is my first love, but I also sing contemporary ballads and pop songs. I’d love to sing in more than two languages,” she says, adding that she plans to sing in Hindi, Japanese and Chinese.

Concert producer Hartini Abdullah says the show, a first for DFP, will be divided into two parts: the first features seven musicians, and the second, a 20-piece orchestra.

There will be 20 songs. Music director Ahmad Muriz Che Rose says Yusni will sing the award-winning Pergi, made popular by Aizat Amdan, keroncong-style while Bob will reinterpret Anuar Zain’s Mungkin and Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s Pahlawanku.

Adilla says fans can also look forward to her rendition of Saleem’s Bukan Aku Tak Cinta.

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KERONCONG NIGHTS

Keroncong nights
By AZHARIAH KAMIN
entertainment@thestar.com.my

The upcoming Keroncong Kasih – Menyusur Zaman concert series is a labour of love meant to keep a folk genre alive.

THE traditional Malay music called keroncong can be current and cool — it just awaits a new generation to embrace it.

As a part of initiatives to bring the music to the big stage and simultaneously create awareness, the Petronas Performing Arts Group (PPAG) will be staging a two-night concert series dubbed Keroncong Kasih - Menyusur Zaman at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), Kuala Lumpur, June 7-8.

For the uninitiated, keroncong was introduced to the land in the 19th century by immigrants from Java. This strain of folk music gained prominence early on in states like Johor, Selangor and Perak.

Initially, only keroncong from Indonesia were played but later on, the locals became immersed in the music. After WWII, we saw the emergence of local keroncong composers like Tan Sri P. Ramlee, Zubir Said, Ahmad Jaafar, Johar Bahar, Ariff Ahmad, Inom Yon, Ahmad Hashim and Mahzan Manan.


It is believed that the name keroncong is derived from the jingling sound of the kerincing rebana, as heard in the rhythmic background to the music created by the interlocking of instruments playing on or off the beat.

After the introduction of the music by Indonesian immigrants here, the keroncong genre, later in the years, established its own local flavour and characteristics. To make the music more enticing and relevant to a modern day audience, contemporary elements have been added to keroncong performances. With that in mind, PPAG is all set to delight the masses with its own take on the keroncong idiom.

The performances of Keroncong Kasih – Menyusur Zaman will feature renowned songstress Datuk Yusni Hamid. Yusni’s calibre as an evergreen singer with four decades of experience under her belt has made her a good choice for these concerts at DFP.

“When we initially looked at the popular keroncong songs which we are familiar with, we discovered that many of them were Indonesian. We were caught in between performing a keroncong concert featuring popular Indonesian compositions or to focus mainly on Malaysian (compositions),” explained the show’s musical director Ahmad Muriz Che Rose.

“In the end, we decided to feature Malaysian keroncong compositions and also contemporary songs which we re-arranged with a keroncong feel,” he added. “As this is our first ever keroncong concert, we are equally nervous and excited to see how the audience will react to it.

“We know for a fact that keroncong music has its own following, but we are hoping many young fans will turn up as we are having pop-edged keroncong material on the bill,” said concert producer Hartini Abdullah.

She revealed that among the popular songs to be performed in the keroncong style are Anuar Zain’s Mungkin and Aizat’s award-winning Pergi.

How much work was put into these upcoming concerts?

Ahmad Muriz said that his arrangers and musicians started practising for the concert two months ago.

“I took it upon myself to make a new arrangements for Mungkin, Semalam Di Putrajaya and Pergi. So yes, I’m nervous to see the outcome on the night. On top of being the musical director, I will also be playing (in the concerts) too,” he further explained.

Any good concert needs a good setlist with balance and audience connection. Ahmad Muriz reckons he has found it for the DFP concerts.

Among other songs to be performed during the two-night concert series are Alunan Biola, Aku Dan Dia, Bunga Melur, Hujan, Dari Hati Ke Hati, Tinggalah, Sayang Di Sayang, Pahlawanku, Uda Dan Dara, Kini Hatiku Telah Tertawan and Keroncong Untuk Ana.

“After looking at the line-up for the night, I’m confident that the singers will perform their best. We have two hours to entertain on each night, that’s a lot of keroncong.” He also added that having established musician Mahzan Manan to guide and oversee the creation of keroncong music by the 31-piece ensemble gives the musicians another boost.

“Mahzan is an established songwriter and he knows keroncong music. In fact, he’s very passionate about keroncong. And to have him around for our current twice-a-week practice sessions is a great experience.”

Mahzan, 76, was very active in music in the 1980s and he was responsible for several hits back then (Kemana Ku Bawa Diri and Hati Seorang Kekasih) by singer-actress Noorkumalasari and Lagu Anak Desa by the late Datuk Sudirman Hj Arshad.

“We are very lucky to have him. Having a living legend like him watching our every move (playing the instruments in keroncong) is priceless and an invaluable experience,” concluded Ahmad Muriz.

Tickets for the Keroncong Kasih – Menyu­sur Zaman concerts at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas on June 7 and 8 are priced at RM15, RM30, RM59 and RM60, and can be booked at % 03-2051 7007 / fax: 03-2051 7077 / e- mail: dfp_boxoffice@petronas.com.my

Pengetahuan berguna untuk dikongsi dari Lea Salonga

Nama LEA SALONGA memang tidak perlu diperkenalkan lagi di dalam bidang seni suara dan pementasan. Anak kelahiran Filipina ini mencipta nama ketika berumur 7 tahun dengan berlakon di dalam pementasan The King and I. Ketika mencapai umur 10 tahun beliau telah menerbitkan sebuah album bertajuk "Small Voice" yang mana telah mendapat sambutan peminat-peminat seni suara.

Pada tahun 1989 ketika beliau berumur 17 tahun beliau telah dipilih untuk memegang watak Kim di dalam pementasan drama Miss Saigon oleh penerbit British yang menjelajah ke seluruh Asia mencari pelakon, setelah gagal menemui pelakon Asia yang sesuai di UK. Lakonan beliau di dalam drama tersebut telah memenangi the Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical bagi tahun 1989-1990.

Pada 10 Januari 2004, Salonga berkahwin dengan Robert Charles Chien, berketurunan Cina-Jepun, Pengarah Urusan  sebuah syarikat perisian hiburan di Los Angeles. Salonga yang kini berumur 39 tahun mempunyai seorang anak berumur 4 tahun.

Ikuti rakaman perbincangan beliau dengan remaja-remaja Malaysia di Borneo Rainforest Club, Bandar Sunway pada 20 Mei 2010 yang sempat saya rakamkan untuk faedah remaja-remaja kita yang berminat di dalam bidang seni suara dan pementasan.

KERONCONG KASIH MENYUSUR ZAMAN

The PETRONAS Performing Arts Group rekindles the fading glory of the keroncong in two glittering performances with renowned artists Dato' Yusni Hamid, Adilla Idris, Bob Yusof and young talent, Jamilah Abu Bakar. The delightful evening features music specially arranged for keroncong ensemble and symphonic orchestra, under the direction of Ahmad Muriz Che Rose. Don't miss evergreen favourites such as Alunan Biola, Uda dan Dara, Tinggalah (Mustika Hati) and many more on 7 and 8 June 2010 at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas


Ticket Prices: RM 60.00, RM 50.00, RM 30.00, RM 15.00


Dress Code: Smart Casual

Remembering Teresa Teng (1953-1995)

Teresa Teng was born on 29th January 1953 in Tienyang, Taiwan. She was educated at Ginling Girls High School, Taiwan. She began singing as early as five and began to stand out during her primary school. She gave up her formal education in her third year of middle school and began concentrating on her singing career.

In 1968, she became famous after giving a performance on a popular music programme in Taiwan, and released eight albums within the next two years. In 1973, she entered the Japanese market, taking part in Japan’s Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a year-round singing match of the most successful artists of that year, and won the prize for “Best New Singing Star”.

In 1974, with the song “Airport”, she conquered Japan, where she remained a leading star despite a short exile in 1979 when she was deported for having entered on a fake Indonesian passport, bought for US$20,000, a deception rendered necessary by a break in relations between Taiwan and Japan on China’s entry to the UN Security Council.

Singing in Cantonese, Japanese and English as well as her native Mandarin, Teng was soon popular as far as Malaysia and Indonesia.

She was well known and her music was also hugely popular in mainland China despite the fact that the authorities had branded most Western music, including her music, as “decadent”. However, she was never to perform there. She performed in Paris during the 1989 Tiananmen student uprising, singing for the students and proclaiming her support for them and for democracy.

Teng died from a severe asthma attack while on holiday in Chiang Mai, Thailand at the age of 42 on May 8, 1995.

Johar Bahar - Syahdunya irama, baiknya seni kata

Oleh KU SEMAN KU HUSSAIN, KHADIJAH IBRAHIM, WANDA IDRIS dan NOOR AZMAH IBRAHIM

Lagu Selamat Tinggal Bungaku kini menjadi ucapan terakhir kepada penciptanya, Allahyarham Johar Bahar kepada dunia seni dan orang yang disayangi. Sejak diciptakan pada 1948, Selamat Tinggal Bungaku tidak pernah usang.

Ciptaan ini menjadi khazanah seni dan salah satu daripada lagu yang meniupkan semangat cintakan tanah air kepada yang menghayatinya.

Selamat Tinggal Bungaku adalah sebuah karya roman perjuangan yang dalamnya ada nilai-nilai romantis dan kecintaan kepada negara. Irama daripada sentuhan Johar yang lembut telah menghantar semangat juang yang tinggi kepada perwira negara.

Ketika negara menjadi rebutan penjajah kemudian bertelingkah dengan saudara serumpun Indonesia, irama dan lagu menjadi wadah untuk mencari ketenteraman, semangat dan penawar kekecewaan. Di sinilah hadirnya manusia seperti Johar yang bercakap dalam bahasa muziknya.

Malah lagu Selamat Tinggal Bungaku dihasilkan daripada milieu zaman perang. Hal yang sama juga berlaku di Indonesia di mana pencipta lagu-lagu patriotik mengambil pendekatan roman perjuangan.

Johar menjadi kesinambungan kepada Ismail Marzuki di Indonesia yang banyak mencipta lagu-lagu patriotik yang popular di negara ini seperti Selendang Sutera, Melati Di Tapal Batas, Bandung Selatan Waktu Malam dan Terang Bulan Di Malaya.

Tetapi ketika mengelegak semangat berjuang, sebahagian besar lagu-lagu patriotik memilih irama march yang rancak. Tetapi Johar mencipta lagu berirama perlahan seperti keroncong untuk menyemarakkan perjuangan.

Menerusi lagu-lagu ciptaannya, Johar memilih untuk menyemaikan kecintaan kepada keindahan negara sebagai pendekatan patriotisme. Apa lagi dengan irama yang perlahan yang memberi ruang kepada minda menterjemah laras kata dan seninya.

Biar pun Johar telah hilang dari pandangan tetapi tetap subur di jiwa sebahagian besar daripada kita. Karya lagu yang ditinggalkan menyeru kepada kecintaan kepada keindahan alam negara ini dan kasih sayang kepada manusianya.

Allahyarham Johar telah menghembuskan nafas terakhir, Sabtu lalu (24 September 2005) pada usia 84 tahun sebenarnya telah lama `hilang' apabila keuzuran membataskan rutin hidupnya. Tetapi allahyarham terus berbakti kepada negara ini apabila kita terasa betapa indahnya negara yang satu ini dalam lagu Banjaran Titiwangsa, Gunung Kinabalu atau Malaysia Tanah Airku.

Hati kita pasti akan berdetik dan berkata, ``Oh indahnya tanah airku'' sebaik saja selesai mendengar Banjaran Titiwangsa yang dinyanyikan semula oleh Broery Marantika akhir 80-an lalu.

Malah kita juga pasti terasa betapa cinta itu menjadi obor perwira ke perbatasan apabila menghayati lagu Pahlawanku nyanyian Saloma dan Selamat Tinggal Bungaku dinyanyikan oleh S.M Salim, Mariam Ahmad dan juga Allahyarham Rafeah Buang.

Bagi kita Allahyarham Johar yang dilahirkan pada 25 Februari 1921 adalah nasionalis. Allahyarham berjuang dengan mencipta lagu bercorak patriotik sekali pun memilih irama yang perlahan dan romantis. Johar tentu percaya bahawa irama yang lembut juga boleh membuatkan manusia dibakar semangat perjuangannya.

Biar pun Johar telah hilang daripada pandangan kita tetapi peninggalannya akan terus memberi manfaat terhadap penghayatan kepada tanah air. Lagu-lagunya adalah karya besar yang tidak akan mengalah dek peredaran zaman, tidak luput dalam lipatan sejarah.

Ketika ini mungkin namanya tidak kerap disebut. Tetapi setiap kali lagunya berkumandang di radio, orang akan mendapat manfaat sekurang-kurang membuatkan mereka berfikir sejenak tentang negara ini.

Selain meninggalkan khazanah muzik, Johar juga meninggalkan anak didiknya yang tidak kurang hebatnya. Antaranya Datuk Ibrahim Bachik dan Datuk Johari Salleh. Sementara salah seorang anaknya, Profesor Madya Khairil Johari Johar menjejaki langkahnya hingga menjadi ahli akademik dalam bidang muzik.

Keindahan seni kata dan irama lagu Banjaran Titiwangsa, Malaysia Tanah Airku atau Gunung Kinabalu adalah hujan emas di negera kita, hujan batu di negara orang.

Pesan orang tua-tua, harimau mati meninggalkan belang manusia mati meninggalkan nama. Tetapi apalah yang ada pada nama kalau tanpa khazanah yang ditinggalkan untuk dimanfaatkan zaman berzaman kemudiannya? Kerana itu Johar bukan saja meninggalkan nama, allahyarham meninggalkan pesan supaya kita mencintai negara ini.

Allahyarham juga meninggalkan ceritera tentang kasih sayang sesama manusia yang tertera dalam syahdunya susun atur irama serta baik seni katanya.

PERSEMBAHAN KERONCONG LAMAN PUTRAJAYA 24 APRIL 2010

Orkes Keroncong Putrajaya akan sekali lagi mengadakan persembahan Keroncong segar di Laman Putrajaya (berhadapan Masjid Putrajaya)pada hari Sabtu 24 April 2010 bermula jam 9 malam. Pengunjung akan dihiburkan dengan lagu-lagu keroncong oleh Jamilah Abu Bakar, Mardiana Alwi, Azmi dan Amir.

Peminat-peminat keroncong jangan lepaskan peluang ini.