By Deidre Justin Galatius
Sometimes it’s all about timing – a flash flood hits Kg. Pasir Putih, Tawau, brings a time of change, to affix itself readily with music, and becomes associated with that experience of changing time and to help others in need. Thus after two months of planning and a series of gigs that was performed at Anjung Budi and Anjung Semarak to promote Tawau Project. October 21st, 2010 finally marks the Finale Charity Concert in collaboration with School of the Arts, USM Jazz Band, Arts Development & Cultural Division, Division of Student Affairs (BHEPP), Alumni Liaison Office and Perkumpulan Siswa-siswi Sabah (PERSIS) to raise RM60,000 to be donated to the victims in Tawau. There were collectively 14 songs excluding two dance performance and a poem recital performed during the concert. And before they hit the stage, performers and crews had wonderful pre-packed flight food, sponsored by LSG Brahim Sdn. Bhd.
A brief speech was given by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic and International Affairs Division, Prof. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal and this is followed by giving of banner flags to the generous sponsors and donors.
Black background with Tawau project logo and blocks of wood that serve as a symbol for the destruction of houses by the flood set the stage for the concert. Draped in full Murut costume, in enthusiasm for the opening act by PERSIS, their dance performance ignited the room like a firestorm with the variety of Sabah traditional songs; Atama – Taragang Rasuk, Jambatan Tamparuli, Daling-daling and Igal-igal with the strong thumping sounds of drums in unison with Rampaian Dance which consists of several traditional dances of Sabah. Unfortunately, the song’s heavy rhythm was not matched with the dancers slower version of the dance that renders a sense of lacking throughout the performance.
Set I featured songs arranged by Mohd. Faisal Mohamed Zin who is also Dewan Budaya Band guitarist. Opening with “Trademark”, they built up all this musical tension and then released it and rebuilt this tension that was just asking to be resolved. The audience gave a mild response for “Suatu Masa” and “Dealova”, meanwhile the audience just went bananas for about two minutes with “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and “Cinta Jangan Kau Pergi” and they just got louder and louder with screams and cheers for “Billionaire” which became the first appearance of YK, and that was how Set I ended.
The band left the stage in which two men appeared gestured a poem recital by Seni Bayan and a piano accompaniment by a renowned composer, Azmeer. The poet’s wit and hilarity made crowd burst out in laughter with lines such as “Mau tak mau sajak ini kamu terpaksa dengar… Mau tak mau tiket 20 ringgit sudah pun dibayar”. Afterward the poem had a stinging effect as it read about abandoned babies and other acts of misbehave. Another Sabah traditional music was played through the speakers and PERSIS dancers came into view holding two bamboos each which indicate the next performance Magunatip or bamboo dance.
Set II featuring Jeep Jazz Band presented the standard Jazz instruments and songs like “Pop Ballad Medley”, “Rindu Bayangan” and Andy Siti on “Through The Fire” as well as Arja and Andy on “Amalan Bertatasusila”. “Finale – Got To Be Real” got all the singers on stage in white as the other band and dancers joined in to sing the last song before performers and guests were treated by delicious choice of food, sponsored by Eden Catering. It’s a nice way to enjoy music and donate to charity at the same time.
Full dressed rehearsal on the night before.
The Chairman of Tawau Project, Assoc. Prof. Razif Mohd was giving some feedback, followed by the concert house manager, Fatin.
Some of the VIPs who attended the night.
[more pictures to come]
The USM Jazz Band 14th Annual Concert will take place on 29th December 2010 (Wednesday) at the Auditorium Dewan Budaya, USM. Featuring the First Steps, we attemp (for the very first time) to perform a song by British hard rock band DEEP PURPLE of their 1972 song Highway Star. A group of percussionists led by Sivasilan Muniandy will also be the highlight of the night besides the Saxomania, Chrismas Carol and other jazz standards.
