As a name, KRAKATAU becoming World Known, Phenomenal, and Legendary. Is the KRAKATAU Mountain, in the year 1883, the explosion hit the whole entire  world by surprise made her become the most world sensational volcano ever….

The enormous energy level that sticked in the name Krakatau as a volcano, was then established as the name of a musical group. As a musical group, in reality, Krakatau has noted to be as sensational as the well known volcano in the Sunda Strait area.

 

Krakatau Band, began with a name Messopotamia in around 1984. Consisted of Prasadja Budidharma (known as Pra Budidharma/Pra B.Dharma), who had studied and recently came back from the U.S. Then, Dwiki Dharmawan, the young talented keyboard player from Bandung, prerviously known from the Elfa Secioria Music Community. And Donny Suhendra, the most forefront Guitarist at the time. Donny known by Bandung Music Lovers from few Bandung famous band such We, G’Brill, d’Marszyo, Harry Roesli DKSB Community and BOM (Batalyon of Musicians).

 

They met Budhy Haryono from Cimahi Bandung-The JAM Rock Group Drummer. The name Messopotamia then changed to Krakatau in the early 1985.

This quartet participated in the most prestigious band competition in the era, said to be the Candradimuka Larva of classy musicians in the entire Indonesia, the Yamaha Light Music Contest in the year 1985.

Like a great striking of Krakatau Explosion in the 1883, Krakatau Band “exploded” in the event of Light Music Contest.And their solid performance amazed the audience and juries. They become number one winner and grabbed the Best-Instrumentalist title award for  Guitar, Keyboard and Bass.

Amazed by the Krakatau capability, as the LMC organizer, they sent them to Japan as an exclusive guest star in the same event .

At the LMC Japan event celebrated in the Nakano Sun Plaza, Tokyo, again, they did an amazing performance and gained high appreciation from local audience.

Even at first invited only for an exhibition, finally they had given for a vote. Suprisingly, Dwiki Dharmawan chosen to be the Best Keyboardist !

The success in Japan sky rocketed their name in the country. They started to actively played in many music events, accompanied by guest vocalist such Ruth Sahanaya, LMC Best Vocalist 1985 and rocker Harry Mukti, Kemala Ayu, Minel and Titi DJ.

 

In 1986, drummer Budhy Haryono left, replaced by Gilang Ramadhan. Not far from that, a young pianist the son of Jazz Legend, Jack Lesmana, that is Indra Lesmana. Indra is a Gilang close friend. Their reputation is sky high since their returning from the U.S.

Gilang just finished his study at Los Angeles while Indra Lesmana just finished his record backed by world class musicians. Previously, they had a chance to form GIF, a trio with Fariz RM, and a group called Exit.

When Krakatau released their first album, Trie Utami was recruited, a small looking young female vocalist, instrumentalist and radio announcer in Bandung, who just received and voted as Best Vocalist in the Yamaha Light Music Contest in 1986 with Kahitna.

 

In 1987, with six members consisted of Pra Budidharma, Dwiki Dharmawan, Indra Lesmana, Gilang Ramadhan, Donny Suhendra and Trie Utami which has noted to be the most phenomenal formations of Krakatau, the group released their prime album and launched the hits “Gemilang”, sold for 800.000 copies. The album sky rocketed Krakatau to the top band charts of the country. Continued with the second album in 1988 released the hits “La Samba Primadonna”. They just got promoted as SuperFusionBand in the country, and becoming the major trendsetter to set “more sounding” Jazz/Fusion in the country, in the era of 1980s.

In around that time, there are more  Fusion Band names such Karimata and Bhaskara Band, Funk Section, Gold Guys (alias, Wongemas) etc. The last two names above, came from the Café and Club Scenes, in which at the time become a popular night entertainment among district youngsters-Green Club and Captain’s Bar.

 

Nevertheless, Krakatau Music becoming unique and felt different, since their stage musical performance considered complicated, dare against the current trend, tough, explosives, powerful, fast and with a rock nuance. But in the recording house they have the ability to “mix” the music to be more “pop” without loosing the Krakatau identity. The results, First and Second Albums became the “most selling albums” at that time !!

Unlike other groups, the 6 personnel of Krakatau just like 6 Pillars with equal power. With the musical and vocal abilities of these young maestros, they produced songs with richer chords and sharp intervals, progressive, with overall quality. That leads the Krakatau songs very seldom to be sung and covered by other people and groups.

But undeniable, their songs becoming inspirations and guide lines for today’s young musician in the country.

 

In 1989, a spectacular mini album Kembali Satu released hits “Kembali Satu” and a monumental song “Kau Datang” sold over 2 Million Copies.

In 1992, Krakatau with only Dwiki DHarmawan, Pra Budidharma, Trie Utami and Drummer Budhy Haryono returning to join, releasing Let There Be Life album with much lighter and crisp sounding along with the hits “Sekitar Kita”. In this album, they brought guest musicians, Dewa Budjana and Iwan Wiradz. In the mean time, Indra, Gilang and Donny formed Indra Lesmana Java Jazz, and a pop-rock group, Adegan.

 

After the Album Let There Be Life, Krakatau lead by Dwiki, Pra Budidharma, Trie Utami, more into the collaborative element of pentatonic music and diatonic Jazz emphasizing the musical instrument equipment and sounding format with the base of Sundanese tradition.

They released Mystical Mist album in 1994, then Magical Match in the 2000 with their world music or world fusion.

 

With that cross culture concept, they often perform at many festivals in Australia, Europe, Asia, Canada even to South America. That world music concept, continued by Dwiki and Pra, and had the opportunity to release Rhythm Reformation Album in the year 2005 and 2World in the year 2006.

Eventhough they took different paths, currently every personnel still doing music, and even become teachers for their students. All six of them never hesitate to produce, and keep on exploring the space of sound, with secure integrity and very high performance intensity up till now.

 

 

GILANG RAMADHAN

Active in uniting many Indonesian Drummers in Indonesian Drummer Facilitation along to explore Indonesian Tradiotional Percussion. And actively along with NERA and Rhythm Sawah Groups, he continuosly digged more of sound tradition from the entire country. In the scope of Music Education World, it can be said that Gilang is the “Master” for all young drummers today. His talent field proven to grow  many Indonesian young drummers. With his music school GRSB (Gilang Ramadhan Studio Band) along with Pra B. Dharma, produced and scored many Indonesian Jazz and Pop Music Industry top drummers among them is Gerry Herb (drummer Alv,Kin,Premix, additional drummer Yovie & Nuno, Krakatau Etnik, etc), female drummer Alsa, Hendy GIGI, Posam (Ex Kotak), Konde Samson, Adri Nidji, Demas Narawangsa, etc.

 

 

DWIKI DHARMAWAN

Dwiki Dharmawan traveled Internationally with World Peace Orchestra and Krakatau Ethnic-an ethno-kontemporer genre with Pra B Dharma. Often to collaborate with top world musicians such ; Chad Wackerman, Jimmy Haslip, Sadao Watanabe, Steve Thornton, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Andy Suzuki, Mark Antoine, Billy Cobham, Kai Eckhardt, Kamal Musallam, Violet Spin Spring Quartet Austria, Jerry Goodman, Yaron Stavi, Gilad Atzmon, Asaf Sirkis, Mark Wingfield, Nicolas Meier, Dale Barlow, Steve Hunter, Andrew Gender, Dan Roger etc. Besides the chance to become Bob Mc Ferrin’s Jakarta Concert CoProducer, Dwiki released few albums on his own with Moonjune Records-NYC, and done few recording sessions in the USA, Austria and Australia, and has done many International Orchestra Performance, one of them was Live Music Performance at the UNESCO in Paris with Prague Symphony Orchestra from Austria.

Therefore, Dwiki has brought Indonesian Ethnic Music to the International Scene. Besides having the Farabi Music School, he’s also active in making Jazz and traditional music based event in many regions in Indonesia. With the purpose of introducing Indonesian Music, Culture and Beautiful Nature to the whole world.  

 

 

DONNY SUHENDRA

Up to the present, Donny Suhendra, the Guitarist, still doing album project with many Indonesian singers as a Session Player and produced collaboration group and performed at world class music stage, such : Donny Suhendra Project, Big City Blues, Power Fusion Trio, etc.

Besides active in performing at any Jazz and Blues events, teaching, Donny Suhendra always welcome to many Indonesian young guitarists. Syaharani is one of the singers who’s had Donny Suhendra touch of guitar.

 

 

TRIE UTAMI

International and National highest level of prestigious award achiever and vocal activities of has been quite solid. The world contest top achiever of “Grand Prix Winner” The Golden Stag International Singing Contest in 1992 in Romania, active as singer, song writer,producer, vocal teacher,seminator, educator and Culture Activist, and many more. Once cooperated with Jeff Lorber, Dave Koz, Kazumi Watanabe, Allan Rich, NHK Orchestra and Asian Fantasy Orchestra from Japan. The title “Miss Pitch Control” proven her quality as main jury in the Talent Search arena.

Trie Utami is also an active writer, her four tiltle books have been published. Her loyalty upon local culture and tradition, contributed along with Kua Etnika world group, Dharma Singing Group and in many village network program and native traditional people through out Indonesia. Her activity in Traditonal Music has brought her around the world, bringing the Nusantara exotism and wonderful sound. Blessed with her great vocals, the Rolling Stone Indonesia awarded her as one of The 50 Greatest Indonesian Singers.

 

 

INDRA LESMANA

Who doesn’t know him, the Indonesian Jazz Icon who gets stronger each time ? A numerous amount of music compositions. Few of his albums published and released in the U.S. Along his musical career , Indra Lesmana has collaborated with world class artists such Charlie Haden, Mark Murphy, Vinnie Collaiuta, Michael Landau, Chick Corea, Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, Gorden Campbell, Maurice Brown, Larry Kimple, Tootie Heath, Carl Allen, Rodney Whitaker, Dimon Grey, and many more.

His records received many National awards . Up until now, with the group LLW, ILDB along with his daughter Eva Celia, Indra still active and never stop writing music. He become the music curator in few festivals and give loyal supports to young musician to keep composing, in few places for musician to perform Jazz Music.

 

 

PRA BUDI DHARMA

After almost 25 years of not working together, let’s say they actually “reunited by nature”. Best time will come at the right moment. Krakatau with this enormous formation, surely agreed to come together again. Holding hands and unite the whole energy to use the title KRAKATAU REUNION, to emphasis the need to reperforming with great faith. Definitely, this togetherness has to be well prepared and must have meaningful purpose to the Indonesian Music !

Not only for the purpose of nostalgic moment. The today’s six members have been “the living legends in Indonesia, have willingness to spread the positive energy through out their songs and music compositions that have been dominated Indonesian music for almost 25 years. Give motivation for the new born of fresh musical ideas, especially for today’s Indonesian young generation .

The six maestros and music instructors have earned their maturity through experience, in their earlier time, they have given and left the sign of making new works. They will soon make that happening in the middle of 2016. Guarded closely by the world class live sound engineer Mr. Donny Hardono, the new KRAKATAU REUNION album will ready to be launched…!!