Indonesia
Three Song: Three Kids, Three Jazzers
Not many kids of our age like jazz, Superkids. Among those few are three brothers; Samuel, Josafat and Abraham Song. They are based in Bandar Lampung, Lampung. However, jazz has led the group that calls itself Three Song to explore across the sea.
You guys have unique names. What’s the story behind it?
It’s simple actually, the name was taken after the concept of three members. Three is our number, Song is our last name. Although other musician collaborate it every once in a while, it’s still our name. Three Song, without s, not Three Songs.
When did it’s established?
November 2011. There was the event “Jazz Goes to Campus” in Bandar Lampung. One day before, jazz musician Idang Rasdjidi had a jam session in dad’s Pondok Daud MusiCare (PDMC) musical school. We tried to take a shoot there. What do you know, Pak Idang gave a very good respond. He said we were unique and was eager to mentor Three Song. So ever since, despite having our dad do guide us, we also routine to perform in “Student of Stage” held by PDMC, once a week.
Who responsible to this jazz virus to you?
Dad. He’s also a jazz musician.
Apple never fall far from the three, doesn’t it?
Seems that way… hehehe..
What about the job assignment of who is taking what instrument?
Everything comes from drum. Sam who is now a bassis was actually a gifted drummer. In fact he is often requested to open drum clinics in several school in Lampng. But seeing how Joss was so dominant in drum, he step beside. Sam then try to convert to bass. In fact today he is also double as Idang Rasdiji Syndicate basis. Aout Jos, he has been drumming since three years old. He is always very passionate about it. He has in many occasions become a drum demonstrator along with world class musician like Ritz Kurtis and Dirk Brand. While Abe also learned music from drum, stepping in his big brothers’ shoes. He switched to piano, the percussion and finally guitar. He is started to develop interest at guitar three years back. And that was because Three Song didn’t have a guitarist. It turned out he did it fine.
Good job, Abe. Do you practice routine these days?
We must have practice every day in the studio. Dad told us, ‘If music is your life, cherish it and people will cherish you.’ We made a mistake once and were grounded from music for a week. We were really sobbing back then.
What about school?
We all take homeschooling since 2009, two years prior to Three Song. It’s the formal education system that fits us best. Because we are aware where we are heading. Our goal is music. If you are not certain of what you are going to do with life, don’t homeschool.
Tell me about album.
All Three Song’s album is telling about animal, nature and family. We want to take the children back into their true habitat. We want our friends to love animal and nature, like Three Song. Or at least, they like music. That’s our goal with music.
How many album have you got?
Two. The first one “Hippotrack”. We shoot in the living room. Dad took the recording equipment there, so we can take recording while still having the comfort of house. Being around mom, sniffing her cooking and stuffs. It was three months process. The second album, “Kalahari Noon” took one month longer because the concept of the music cover much wider aspects. The third is in the making, we are staring the fourth song now. Our target is February 2015 it’s should be ready to launch. Everytime we perform, anywhere, we always play our own songs, not others. And we are proud of it.
Anything new in the upcoming album?
A lot. Among them is that we collaborated with Dino Fuimara, a jazz musician from US. We met in World Youth Jazz Festival 2014 at Putrajaya International Convention Malaysia. It turned out he was attractive with Three Song’s performance and came to offer this collaboration.
Cool. Any plan of moving to Jakarta?
If it comes to that, let’s do it.
Good luck, Three Song!
Thank you.
BIOFACT
Name: Samuel Song (Sam)
Birth: November 16th 1998
Education: High School 1st Year (homeschooling)
Instrument: Bass
Name: Josafat Song (Jos)
Birth: Februari 17th 2002
Pendidikan: Mid School 2nd Year (homeschooling)
Instrument: Drum
Name: Abraham Song (Abe)
Birth: Maret 8th 2004
Education: Elementary School 5th Year (homeschooling)
Instrument: Guitar
Parents: Dodo Mikha and Hanna Mikha
Album:
1. Jazz for Nature entitled “Hippotrack” (2013)
2. Jazz for Nature entitled “Kalahari Noon” (2014)
Perform Experience: Jazz Goes to Campus, Jak Jazz AKA Jakarta International Jazz Festival, Indonesian Jazz, International Java Jazz Festival, World Youth Jazz Festival, Ngayog Jazz, Bambu Nusantara Fest feat Alat Musik Tradisional Lampung, World Percussion Festival Colaboration with Lampung’s Traditional Music, Traffic Jazz Festival, Pekan Raya Jakarta, and more.
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: ACHMAD KHUSAINI
