Indra Lesmana Launches Sydney Reunion Project, a Jazz Quartet with Australian Musicians

Indra Lesmana, a renowned Indonesian musician, has launched a new music project called Sydney Reunion Project, ​a jazz quartet composed of Indra Lesmana (keyboards), Steve Hunter (bass), Dale Barlow⁤ (vocals), and Andy Gander (drums).

The music project⁢ has‌ produced an album of ‍ten instrumental works, which was launched ​on September 23 with a performance at the Sydney Opera House.

The Birth of ‌Sydney Reunion Project

Indra Lesmana’s friendship with Australian jazz musicians in the‍ 1980s, while studying ⁣music at ⁣the Conservatory of Music in Sydney, laid the foundation for this musical project.

“I had to quit for a while, so in the late 70s or early 80s, I moved to Australia with my family. I enrolled on a scholarship at the Conservatory of Music in Sydney,” Indra Lesmana said in a recent virtual interview.

During his time in Australia, Indra started his music career, meeting many musicians and forming bands.

A Reunion After Decades

Indra’s meeting with⁣ his⁢ friends ⁤in Sydney sparked the idea of making a recording, which was fully supported by the Indonesian diaspora in Australia.

A recording session for the ⁣new album was held in Sydney last May, featuring Indra, ⁢Steve, Dale, and Andy.

The Musicians Behind Sydney Reunion Project

Steve Hunter is an electric bassist and an old friend of Indra’s‍ from the band Nebula. Dale ⁤Barlow, who plays the saxophone,⁤ was in a group with Indra called Children of Fantasy in the ​80s.

Andy Gander, the drummer, was also a ​friend from the‌ 80s, but Indra never had the chance to play with him until now.

The Album: A Jazz Fusion Masterpiece

The album Sydney⁢ Reunion presents a‌ ten-instrumental work with a strong jazz fusion feel. Indra wrote five songs, while ⁢Steve Hunter, Andy Gander, and ⁣Dale⁢ Barlow contributed the rest.

“There were ten songs, so I composed five songs, and then other friends also wanted to contribute,” Indra​ said.

A‍ Special Album for Indra Lesmana

The release of⁢ “Sydney Reunion” is​ accompanied by the release of the physical album in compact disk (CD) format, with ⁢the Vinyl format to be launched ⁢in the⁣ near future.

For Indra Lesmana, this album becomes even more special as it marks the⁣ 100th album in his​ nearly fifty-year musical journey.

A Celebration of Diplomatic Relations

The musical project is‍ also seen ‌as a celebration of‌ the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and⁤ Australia through music.

“Indonesia and⁤ Australia have an ‌extraordinary history in ⁢diplomatic relations in the arts, especially music. ⁣Therefore, I very much reiterate that this work also commemorates the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Australia,” concluded Indra Lesmana.