The American Jazz Institute Presents Jazz at CMC

Return to 2002 Fall Flier.

Luluk Purwanto and The Helsdingen Trio
Saturday, October 12, 2002
3:30 PM
Pickford Auditorium
Bauer Center South Building
500 East Ninth Street
City of Claremont

A cosmopolitan quartet, based in Amsterdam, and performing jazz with a common focus on the traditions of American modern jazz. Luluk comes from the Island of Java, Indonesia, and performs with violin and voice. Her unique approach to jazz captures her own Asian cultural heritage. Some of her arrangements and improvisations involve an evocative recreation of the sounds and sights of childhood life in Yogyakarta (a center of Javanese performing arts). Her overall jazz repertoire blends the music of Indonesia, America and The Netherlands. Husband and pianist Rene Helsdingen leads the trio of outstanding musicians who comprise the remainder of this jazz quartet.

The Born Free USA Tour is a project brought to the United States with the express purpose of reviving jazz traditions in America, especially the practice of jazz musicians who used to travel across America in buses, carrying their music to communities located "well outside" the great urban population centers. What is new in the Helsdingen approach is the Stage Bus. The side of the tour bus can be lowered to form its own stage. The bus is touring the US from June 25 through October 15 2002 and will ultimately perform at 42 Universities in 24 States. The music recognizes no cultural, religious or national boundaries.

The Born Free USA Tour is part of a larger 2002 International Arts Cultural & Educational Festival -- a celebration of art and musical culture of Indonesia and celebrates the birthday of Jakarta. The Festival is sponsored and endorsed by UNESCO, The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to the USA, The Royal Netherlands Embassy to the USA, The Royal Netherlands Embassy to Jakarta, The Embassy of the United States of America to Jakarta, and The Embassy of the United States of America in The Hague.