Flying with Michael Frank

Actually I am not familiar with this guy but I know he is jazz singer. His songs is mellow and easy listening. I just ever heard one or two of his song. I should call him grandpa as he is 64 old years now (born 18 September 1944 in La Jolla, California). Michael Franks is a smooth jazz singer and songwriter from the United States. He grew up in southern California with his father Gerald, his mother Betty and two younger sisters. His parents loved swing music and Nat King Cole is his early influence.

Some weeks ago, my friend asked me to accompany her visiting Michael Frank. I was surprised as he lived in US. We would fly there? Hahaha…no! He had world tour music this year around US and amazingly that he wanted to come to Indonesia. After Indonesia he will perform in Japan. Thumb for the Indonesian EO!!. Eventhough I did not know his songs better but I liked to come and “visit” him. His concert was in Shangrilla hotel 14 dec ago.

We went by taxi there as rain dropped very hard and little worry stuck in our mind, afraid of flood, due we would pass some street which has always been “a temporary small river”. Thanks God, nothing happened with those streets. All was fine.

Paid 250 thousand rupiah for silver class, for sure we had to sit on back line. Never mind! We could see his clearly. Two giants television in the right and left side, good sound system, colorful light system strengthened his appearance. Too bad, it was not much audience. Surabaya was not like Jakarta, I meant the jazz fans was not much as Jakarta and it was not really expressive. As Michael Frank was famous in 70-80ties era, I was sure the mostly audience was in old ages. Your mommy, your daddy, your aunty, uncle or even your grandparents! You could count the young audience was…including me and my friend!

We enjoyed him and his songs. He stood like statue, just sang without stage action. I didn’t know why. Maybe he was tired? Stage fever? Hmm, impossible as he had such experience many years how to perform in stage. ( THink… his albums issued at 1973 to 2006, it was about 19 albums) Or maybe his style was like that? As this was the 1st time for me, I had no reference. But, truly, honestly, I like his songs! When the cookie jar is empty, Tell me all about, Leading me back to you, The lady wants to know, Tiger in the rain, Rainy day in Tokyo were some of his greatest hits.

While on stage, Michael was accompanied by Charles Blenzig – Piano, Jay Anderson / Sean Conly – Bass, David Mann - Sax & Flute, Willard Dyson – Drums, Veronica Nunn – Vocals. He gave chance to all of his guy to perform their ability. Waow, so fantastic! Couldn’t say a word to describe how …

Thanks Michael!