03 Ole Olang


GengGong uses traditional musics from many cultures (Javanese, Madurese, Bulgarian, Turkish, Arabic, Sumatran) in contemporary arrangements and original compositions. Indonesian drums, gongs and reeds are combined with guitar, Balkan and Middle-Eastern bagpipes, didjeridu, saxophone and wooden flutes to produce a unique and totally compelling performance.
 
This is a programme of many moods and nuances from masked dance to explosive percussion.

 GengGong's three tours concert of Indonesia between 2000 qnd 2005 opened the eyes of Indonesian audiences to the seemingly limitless creative scope of Indonesian cross-cultural music. The band performed twice on national television, at the prestigious Gedung Kesenian in Jakarta and at many festivals, including the Yogyakarta Gamelan Festival, the Surabaya Arts Festival and …(anyone?). They have also collaborated in many performances with Indonesian musicians and dancers.

In Australia, the band has captivated audiences at Bellingen Global Carnival, Northern Rivers Performing Arts Festival, Carnivale, Sydney Festival Fringe and the Globe to Globe Festival in Melbourne. 

GengGong's CD "Not Just Music" was recorded and released in Indonesia in late 2000. It was named in Seth Jordan's Best Australian Releases of the Year (Rhythms Magazine, Jan 2002).  The album was quickly sold out, but it is planned to re-release it in 2011. 

"An exhilarating…album by an Indonesian-Australian group, immediately appealing in the freshness of its sounds and cumulative power of its grooves, but at the same time rich enough in detail to withstand close listenings" (John Napier, Diaspora)
  
“GengGong rock hard” (Revolver Magazine)
 
“The whole blend of traditional music they performed …created a rhythm of harmonic and peaceful sounds, as if we were being drawn into a spiritual experience together with them” - Newsmusik                                                                                                                        

“GengGong have already made a significant contribution to contemporary Australian cross-cultural music, especially by promoting a sense of cultural exchange and understanding between Australia and Asia.” (Lex Marinos, former Head, Carnivale)
 
“... brings together entire musical traditions with a gripping contemporary colour” -Pikiran Rakyat 

“GengGong  is an absolute triumph!” -  Inspirasi Magazine

“A powerful performing unit” (Richard Jasiutowitz, Diaspora)

“Their commitment to excellence in performance, professional deportment and creative synthesis of traditional and modern elements … [makes] this band …the fore-runner of exciting new developments to come in the fusion of east and west in Australia.” (Dr David Goldsworthy, Senior Lecturer in Ethnomusicology, University of New England)

“Wow, GengGong really went off!!” (Seth Jordan, Director, Bellingen Global Carnival)
 

 


