Yes I agree I am rushing it, but how
long has it been?? Well, well over a month. So it is about time that I am
sharing some of my impressions of the Singapore Jazz festival. If you saw my
post about Alan Stone already, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did
attending, capturing and blogging. And as much as I want to avoid mentioning
negative things about the experiences I have, one thing to note that was very
confusing to me, and I am sure, others carrying a media pass. Of course I have
no experience taking pictures at such events and have no idea how things are
organized at other concerts but I personally found the barrier that was created
between the audience and the stage a little bit too crazy.
I remember, last
year at Java jazz the space between audience and main stage was maybe a fifth
of the distance between the first row and the Sing Jazz main stage. And when
Josh Stone nodded it's OK to the security when the fence was breached they
stepped back and let things evolve. This wide barrier and the 10+ rows of high
end, often empty seats, meant that it was very hard for many musicians to create
a sense of intimacy that is so important for, I think especially, jazz music,
but also for a festival atmosphere.
That and a security organization, or
individuals that were taking themselves way too seriously as I have seen often
before, made it even for media pass holders often tough to get the closer
shots. And so it was when Singapore’s own Jazz divo and diva Jeremy
Monteiro and Melissa Tam took the stage with the Asian Jazz All-Star Power
quartet, I was initially left
banned to the “commoners” ranks, In spite of tireless effort by David before. This was especially a loss, because by
the time I negotiated my way into the spacious "safety zone" Melissa, who looked
truly stunning, again,
had left the stage... already!!!
A few more words and I will finish my rant. This week may mark the end of an era that, due to its time span, cannot even be called an era, but it is in the ways it contributed to my enjoyment of live music in Singapore. It is being rumored that the Sultan Jazz club will shut its’ doors permanently. This would be a shame and I will miss it and if you in anyway or form enjoy my blog, than you will miss it too. Many people are wondering why these venues do not thrive in Singapore including me and I may have come to strangely different conclusion. In my opinion venues and festivals here have been focusing too much on the cigar an whiskey crowd, which in Singapore is sizable but does not have the attention span that is required to get regular attendance. I hope that the organization that will start a next Jazz themed venue will make it more underground or at least down to earth.
A few more words and I will finish my rant. This week may mark the end of an era that, due to its time span, cannot even be called an era, but it is in the ways it contributed to my enjoyment of live music in Singapore. It is being rumored that the Sultan Jazz club will shut its’ doors permanently. This would be a shame and I will miss it and if you in anyway or form enjoy my blog, than you will miss it too. Many people are wondering why these venues do not thrive in Singapore including me and I may have come to strangely different conclusion. In my opinion venues and festivals here have been focusing too much on the cigar an whiskey crowd, which in Singapore is sizable but does not have the attention span that is required to get regular attendance. I hope that the organization that will start a next Jazz themed venue will make it more underground or at least down to earth.
Lower consumption rates will attract more people, more young people
and therefore groom a longer lasting audience. I have seen the beginnings of
Smalls in New York. A basement, some grungy seating, no staff, some free juices on the
bar for when you get desperately thirsty or BYOB. Within a couple of years
there were people waiting in line, in freezing cold for 45 minutes to add another 10
dollar bill to the rapidly growing pile in the owners’ hand. Was it successful,
I doubt that Mitch got rich and I doubt many of the people playing there are?
But both the club and a lot of the musicians earned their fame.
My apologies for my wordiness. I thought
I’d give my perspective for a change and not the impression. Many of you may have preferred the "Without further ado" so... here we go! Day two of Sing jazz had Jeremy’s Asian
Jazz All-Star Power quartet, Dirty Loops and Incognito. Here are some shots of
the first two to lighten and brighten up the post. Incognito I’ll reserve for a
separate page.
