INCOGNITO

(Jakarta Java Jazz Festival, 5th March 2005, 00.30-01.45pm)


“band dong bang bang, do dong band dong bang bang…”
“you’re still… a friend of mine…”

Half of the sea of people sang the first line, and half other the second.
It was the closing song. One hour fifteen minutes passed just like a minute.


Eleven people, men and women, from different cultures and different color came together united, making great music and entertain thousands of people.
Yes, like Incognito said, even divided and different, together we should join to create harmony, and inspire others…


“Colibri” was their opening song. Some great new songs were also introduced (three songs I don’t know the title to – sorry Bluey, hehehe…). They also played a classic called “Listen to the Music”. And the rest, they performed 10 of their most famous songs (“Talkin’ Loud”, “Morning Sun”, “Who Needs Love?”, “Pieces of a Dream”, “Where Do We Go from Here”, “Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing”, “Everyday”, “Always There”, and my personal favorite “Still a Friend of Mine”).

The comeback of Maysa Leak, the lady with the amazing golden voice ("we love you, Maysa!") really strengthens their performance last night. Imaani and Tony Momrelle, were simply great singers, and one backup singer, Gail Evans, also added to the harmony. Richard Bailey (on drum) and the keyboardist who represented Italy (sorry I didn’t catch your name, mate!) performed their best. Chris DeMargary on saxophone and flute, Dominic Glover, trumpet and flugel horn, and the birthday boy on saxophone; the three key people in making the music were indispensable. And even the bassist, who just joined the band in two weeks (amazing, huh!) maxed out his talents and to emphasize the real color of Incognito; funk, fusion acid. Bluey, or Jean-Paul Maunick, on guitar and backing vocals, acted also as leader of the pack and composer; well, not much to say about Bluey except “we love you, Bluey!” (yeah, and some guy in the fifth row really shouted that, really!)

Aahh… I just looove Incognito.
Perhaps because their love songs could always relate to my love stories. And to them, heartbreaks are never sad. They simply mean we should hold on to ourselves and be stronger still and when the time comes, we would bounce back on our feet.
But most importantly, perhaps, because they do not just sing lovey-dovey songs. They sing songs for humanity. For universal mankind. To inspire the youth that we CAN make a change if only we believe in ourselves and others.

Only Incognito could make my friend “A” dance and sing along to the music.
Their performance really made all the wait worth while…


Bravo Incognito! You’ve done a great job, yet again.
See you all again in the next concert, guys!!!