People in the office (and some outside as well) are probably aware that I am obsessed with Lenny Breau's rendition of Hoagy Charmichael's "Georgia On My Mind" performed on Canadian TV show A Touch of Jazz. The influential yet relatively unknown guitarist (compared to many guitarists of his day, of course) plays both rhythm and melody in this song, and if I didn't watch the video I would have thought there were two guitarists.
Funny enough, this episode of the CBC-Canada program wasn't a feature on Lenny Breau as a band leader, he was a part of saxophonist Bob McMullin's quartet. In the episode, the rhythm section (consisting of Lenny Breau on guitar, Dave Young on bass, and Wayne Finucan on drums) was given the spotlight, and performed this wonderful song.
I cannot pick apart Breau's guitar playing in a technical manner, but to me, he manages to hit the right notes in his melodies to keep listeners engaged, and the subtle chords he simultaneously plays not only complements and emphasizes the melodies, but also adds an emotional drive to the song. I don't really know what else to say besides that it is beautiful.
The video above features the full episode of A Touch of Jazz featuring Bob McMullin and his quartet, as well as a video of the "Georgia on My Mind" performance, click the left and right arrows to switch between them.
If you're a regular of Asian Food Channel 'Rebel Without A Kitchen', then you're familiar with the host, Matt “Fidel Gastro” Basile. Recently, he made a stop here in Jakarta during his “Matt Basile Kitchen Revolution” Tour in which he hosted a dinner and a demonstration at Bacco in Lotte Shopping Avenue. We were invited to his 4-course tasting menu which was inspired by North American cuisine, paired with a variety of robust flavors of The Balvenie handcrafted single malt Scotch whiskies.
We took the vegetarian menu option which was no less delicious than its counterparts menu. Some highlights from the menu were the Octopus with Fennel and Blood Orange which was actually replaced with orange and ruby red grapefruit since blood orange was difficult to find. The tastiest part from this course is not just the octopus but also the deep fried capers which added texture and saltiness to the dish. For vegetarian, the octopus was substituted with grilled corn with a brush of honey. Noteworthy main course was the Roasted Spicy Cauliflower with Yoghurt and Fennel Pollen with Poached Tempura-Breaded Egg. The spiciness was a delightful surprise from a rather fancy setting, suggesting his adaptation on local flavor. The dessert, called Elvis in a Jar, was a hit with diners. As the name suggested, it was a take on Elvis' favorite food, Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich, in a jar. Layering Peanut Butter Mousse, bananas, and French Toast with sprinkles of Vanilla Merengue bits, this tasty delicacy was a perfect ending to the meal.
We talked to this energetic Toronto native right before his dinner presentation. Here is what transpired from our short conversation:
MB: We didn't have a location when we first started so I sort of personified the name Fidel Gastro. When people see the name, they don't just think about the company but the person behind it. Before food truck, we would do pop-ups. I would bring tables to different venue, selling variety of sandwiches. From that, we received a lot of press coverage so the company started to grow. Also when we do catering, we do a very specific kind of catering. We do fun and engaging cuisine rather than traditional North American cuisine. The food truck, named Priscilla (after Elvis' wife) was a natural, logical progression since it's more affordable than opening a restaurant but still very grassroots and still retain the street food essence. Then the restaurant was opened and we named it Lisa-Marie (after Elvis' daughter). It's all under the name of Fidel Gastro.
MB: I used to work in an advertising company. I was coming up with names for the sandwich place. I wrote down Fidel Castro for no reason then I changed the letter to G which clicked instantly. It was a no brainer when we decided the name for the company. We just settled on the name. Same thing with Rebel Without A Kitchen. People kept asking me if I'm a chef. I told them I'm not a chef because a chef is a very specific role. I'm kind of a rebel cook because I do things my own but I don't have my own kitchen. In general, having a background in Marketing & Advertising really helped leverage our company. It hasn't make a better food company because in the end, the food has to be good. It helped us get into people's radar though with the right branding and visual. It's important to have both side of the business. It may be a different result if we were to call the company Matt's Sandwiches.
MB: Because sandwiches are very street food and mobile because you can eat it on-the-go. It's very versatile in terms of ingredients. We were also doing unique combination to the sandwiches such as mac and cheese to show how different flavors can work inside the sandwiches. There were also a lot of tacos, hamburgers in Toronto but no one was really doing sandwiches at that time. We evolved quite a bit now but that is still our focus. The restaurant has a different menu. It's still a street-food restaurant that draws inspiration from global street food menu but has been refined and repackaged so you can enjoy it in a restaurant setting.
MB: The menu was developed back home before I started my tour but in every city, it's been tweaked to reflect availability and local ingredients. In Jakarta, we're doing a menu using fennels which is not easy to get, same with Manila. Also for tonight's dinner, beef heart was originally on the menu but here, in Jakarta, and the previous city, Kuala Lumpur, we haven't been able to get it. So we're using chicken liver that is deep fried and people ended up liking better because anything deep fried is always a lot of fun. It resonates with the food truck mentality in which you make adjustments every day.
MB: Lamb fried rice! It was amazing, so flavorful and yet so simple. Since I can't read the menu, I look for long lines as an indication of good street food. That's how I found the lamb fried rice stall.
Thank you Matt! For more info on his show, please visit http://www.asianfoodchannel.com/mattbasile
or read his blog at http://fidelgastro.ca/blog/
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Celebrating writers and writing, Syarafina Viyadhana and Rain Chudori helped form The Murmur House, a community where writers can sharpen their literary skills together. They will be holding Murmuration1, an introduction to their community, this saturday at Reading Room (Jl. Kemang Timur Raya). Do make a visit and see the creativity of these young writers.
Murmuration1
A gathering which starlings cultivate warmth and passion for literature through collective reading.
Readings by:
Agung Setiawan
Agustina Pringganti
Arman Dhani
Ben Laksana
Dinda Larasati
Halida Aisyah
Josefine Yaputri
Laksmita Widyanie
Rain Chudori
Rebecca Kezia
Syarafina Vidyadhana
Tassilsa
and more…
Music performances by:
Bin Idris
Mataharibisu
27/09/2014
15:00 - 18:00
Reading Room Lt2
Jalan Kemang Timur No.57A
Jakarta Selatan
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Murmuration1 Press Release:
Modern technology has slowly distance, if not completely detach us—a generation born without any repression—from reality. We’re isolating ourselves from the real world, living in our own worlds we make. We build up a wall to separate us from the reality, and even the simplest and trivial things around us.
“Writing, at its best, is a lonely life.” (Ernest Hemingway)
Although writing has been considered as a solitary process, we often forget that in the process of writing, we need to look for ideas to produce a good writing and some criticism to improve our writing. Because of that, in 2013, Syarafina Vidyadhana and Rain Chudori initiated The Murmur House, a community in which young writers can enrich their ideas and experience. The Murmur House hopes to be a home for young writers to reconnect with reality and the real world, with new people, with our own emotions and our own selves. We want to learn and grow together.
In the meantime, The Murmur House has two main projects, which are Murmuration and Murmur Journal. Murmuration is a literature appreciation event in the form of readers’ gathering, in which there will be readings of poetry or novel excerpts. Another project of ours, Murmur Journal, is a literary journal which consists of poetry, prose and essays in English. The writings will be accompanied by photos or illustrations. The first theme for Murmur Journal is “Welcome to Warmth”, a manifestation of our longing to step out of our cold, lonely and alienating writing exile to share with our readers.
Most of our writers, illustrators and photographers are young people in their 20s with an urge to keep writing and developing their works.
To introduce The Murmur House, we will hold an event called Murmuration1 at Reading Room Lt2, Jalan Kemang Timur No.57A, Jakarta Selatan at 3 -6 pm. There will be poetry and prose readings from Agung Setiawan, Agustina Pringganti, Arman Dhani, Ben Laksana, Dinda Larasati, Halida Aisyah, Josefine Yaputri, Laksmita Widyanie, Rain Chudori, Rebecca Kezia, Syarafina Vidyadhana, Tassilsa and several impromptu acts, and music performances by Bin Idris and Mataharibisu. We will also open the first batch pre-order of Murmur Journal.
In Murmur House, we find and are found. We hope to keep growing and consistently not only produce fresh, diverse and unlimited works, but also give an exciting reading experience for our readers and become the quintessential voice of our generation.
The Murmur House
More info:
Meisya Citraswara : 087875795111
Twitter : @themurmurhouse
Instagram : @themurmurhouse
Facebook : The Murmur House
Website : www.themurmurhouse.com
If you were tuned in to Whiteboard Journal last month, then you will probably have noticed that we have started a social media program called #WJournalist. We want to know your perspective and creativity on different subjects, so we racked our brains and came up with this Instagram program.
We all have a favorite spot, a place we are most comfortable. This may be a place to relax, a place to work, a place to hang out with friends, a place to dine, etc. Wherever in Indonesia (or the world) you may be, we would love to know your #FavoriteSpot. Looking forward to seeing the places!
#Wjournalist Instructions:
1. Follow and tag our INSTAGRAM account @whiteboardjournal in your photograph.
2. Include the hashtag #WJournalist and #FavoriteSpot along with your description.
3. We will feature the photographs October 6, 2014 on our website.
4. Have fun!
One of our favorite bands, Sore, has done it again. With an upcoming album in the works, they have released a brand new single titled "There Goes". Ade Paloh sings with a slight twang his observation of placid surroundings and a mysterious woman who seems to inspire introspective thoughts. The song's folk-rocky music brings a pastoral feel and makes for a relaxing atmosphere. "There Goes" was written by drummer Bemby Gusti, and is the first single of their next album, Los Skut Leboys. Enjoy the music.
As you may have read in our interview with Zinnia Sompie, it is important for graphic designers in Indonesia to create a network to be ensure a better future for the industry. Here is your chance to take part in helping Asosiasi Desain Grafis Indonesia (ADGI) activities as the Jakarta chapter will be having elections this weekend to decide its Chief. Three names are on the ballots: Rege Indrastudianto, Teddy Aang, and Jerry Aurum. Do attend the event at Dia.Lo.Gue (Kemang) this weekend to not only vote, but build your network with other designers. Check out the information below and do make your visit.
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Vote for the next ADGI Jakarta Chief
When: 13 Sep 2014, 14:00 - 18:00 WIB
Where: Dia.Lo.Gue. Artspace, Jl. Kemang Raya No.99A
REGE INDRASTUDIANTO
Visious Studio – www.visious.co / GMK – www.grafismasakini.com
Rege Indrastudianto is the co-founder of Visious Studio and grafismasakini.com. A 2005 graduate of Jakarta Institute of the Arts' Visual Communication program, Rege started his career in local and multi-national advertising agencies such as Ogilvy & Mather as well as Lowe Indonesia. With 10 years of professional experience, he and his studio has handled project from Bank Danamon, Danone, Good Day, Nike, Tauzia, Lowe and Bates. Rege is also active in the art world, having participated in numerous exhibitions in Indonesia and abroad.
TEDDY AANG
Fullfill - www.fulfillisme.com
Teddy Aang is the founder and design director of Fullfill, a studio whose specialty in visual communication is branding. With a vision and mission in line with creating good design communication as well as develop freer design style, Teddy always explore visual possibilities. Fullfill has also created F(x), a branding studio based in Dubai.
JERRY AURUM
Jerry Aurum Design & Photography - www.jerryaurum.com
Jerry Aurum is a 1999 Visual Communication graduate from the Bandung Institute of Technology who started his professional career in the year 2000. Some of the books he has published are, among others, Femalography, In My Room, and Hampir Fotografi. Receiving the Platinum and Gold award in 100 Best in Photography (New York), a gold medal in Asian Print Awards 2011 (Bangkok); runner-up for Indonesian Young Creative Entrepreneur of the Year in 2007; and is responsible for creating the largest designer puzzle in 2002 (Museum Rekor Indonesia).
For more information please contact:
Backstage Life Bareng Grrrl Gang di Episode Kelima Vindy Ngapain?
Tahun ini Grrrl Gang mendapatkan kesempatan untuk menjadi salah satu line up di We The Fest 2019, dan Vindy diperbolehkan untuk mengikuti aktivitas mereka.
Tahun ini Grrrl Gang mendapatkan kesempatan untuk menjadi salah satu line up di We The Fest 2019, dan Vindy diperbolehkan untuk mengikuti aktivitas mereka.
Son of another Indonesian great, multi-instrumentalist-Jack Lesmana, Indra Lesmana is a child prodigy who learned how to master the keys at a young age, with his first performances done at the age of ten to an audience of hundreds and thousands, and his first album released when he was 12 years old. From child to adulthood, Indra Lesmana has dedicated his life to music.
With currently over 50 albums released, his musical endeavors are not restricted to jazz, Indra Lesmana has also released a multitude of critically acclaimed pop records, winning a BASF Award for his meaningful pop numbers. Currently busy promoting the first LLW record, LLW being his modern jazz trio with bassist-Barry Likumahuwa and drummer-Sandy Winarta, Indra Lesmana spared some time our of his busy schedule to talk to W_Music about some highlights from his three decade-long career, LLW, and leaves the viewers and aspiring musicians some words of wisdom. Enjoy!
[featured caption="W_Music Series Vol.05: Indra Lesmana"]
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Invent Your Future
Temukan siapa dirimu dan bagaimana karaktermu menentukan arah masa depan.
