The Jakarta Post, February 12, 2007
Monica Akihary: Popularizing Maluku language in int'l jazz arena
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
Who in the jazz world is not familiar with Monica Akihary, and who does not think that
this Dutch woman of Maluku descent can be placed on a par with Al Jarreau, one of
the world's top jazz musicians?
In the international jazz world, Monica's fame equals the fame of Daniel Sahuleka,
another Dutch singer of Maluku descent whose Don't Sleep Away the Night once
topped the cha! rts.
Together with her guitarist husband Niels Brouwer, Monica and her Boi Akih band
charmed thousands of Ambonese during the New Year's Eve celebration held at
Merdeka Square, Ambon.
"When I played music for the Ambonese, I can only say I was really happy and I think
that was my most beautiful dream coming true," Monica told The Jakarta Post after
her show.
With her husband playing the guitar, she entertained the Maluku community with four
songs that her sexy voice had made popular, namely La Apa Apa, Hitam Manis, Potu
Loto Potu and Lembe Lembe. Monica said she had come to Maluku out of a personal
desire to visit the ! birthplace of her parents and at the same time, celebrate New
Year's Eve in Ambon.
In fact, for a long time she had longed to visit Ambon and hold a concert there. Not
until Dec. 31, 2006, however, could she perform in her parents' birthplace -- she had
simply been too busy giving various jazz concerts in Europe and recording a new
album.
While Monica is considered a relatively young singer in the international jazz arena,
her debut album Boi Akih (1997) topped the music chart in France.
Interestingly, one of her albums -- Lagu Lagu (2005) -- contains songs sung in the
indigenous language of Haruku Island in Central Maluku regency, where she has
roots.
Lagu Lagu in particular has won a place in the hearts of jazz enthusiasts in the world.
At the North Sea Jazz Festival held in Holland, Monica thrilled her fans with the songs
sung in the original language of her ancestors.
The North Sea festival is a venue for international jazz musicians to demonstrate their
skills. Monica could make jazz lovers get carried away by the strains of her music,
which combines the Indian-influenced tabla and cello with Niels' guitar and her voice.
Monica said her interest in ethnic Maluku songs began in 2002, when she came
across cassettes containing Maluku songs from 1948. Helped by her husband, who
plays the guitar and mandolin, sh! e was finally able to create jazz versions of ethnic
Maluku songs.
Her Maluku album contains nine titles such as Ole Sio, Pangayo, Lembe-Lembe, La
Apa Apa and Tanase.
In 2003, she released another album, Uwa I/Images, on which all the songs are in the
Haruku language; these songs have become popular among jazz lovers.
Thanks to these songs, one of Holland's largest and most influential newspaper, De
Volkskrant, named Monica one of Holland's best jazz singers.
Monica said when she sang Maluku songs like Lembe-Lembe and Tanase, for
example, she would always be reminded of the Maluku people -- who are fishermen --
and of when they go fishing. And when she sings other Maluku songs of different
themes, she feels spiritually close to Maluku.
"When I sing these songs, I feel as if I came from here (Maluku)," she added.
Four of her albums come in three languages: the Haruku language, Ambonese Malay
and English. These albums are popular among jazz enthusiasts around the world.
In an interview with the Post, Monica hinted at her plans for her fifth album: "In April I
will record new songs and the lyrics will also be in the Haruku language.! "
Monica was not alone when entertaining the Ambonese community. Several artists of
Maluku origin from Jakarta, like Andre Hehanusa and Jopi Latul, and Indonesian Idol
singers Maria and Winda, also lit up Ambon to start the year with glittering jazz.
Boi Akih website: www.boiakih.com
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