PULLMAN, Wash. — A Holland jazz ensemble that combines the musical cultures of Indonesia, the United States, and the Netherlands will appear at Washington State University July 17.
Luluk Purwanto and the Helsdingen Trio are touring the United States this summer and fall. They will perform at WSU at noon on the Glenn Terrell Mall, and they will perform at 5:30 p.m. in Pullman’s Sunnyside Park July 17. Both performances are free to the public.
Purwanto, who was born in Indonesia, performs on the violin and sings in a manner that cultivates her Indonesian culture. René van Helsdingen, Purwanto’s husband, plays the piano. The other two group members are Marcello Pellitteri, who plays the drums, and Essiet Okon Essiet, who plays bass.
The group combines four talented musicians who bring together a wealth of experience and talent. Purwanto earned musical degrees from The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Australia, and from the Institute of Art in Yogyakarta Indonesia, according to the group’s website. Helsdingen has recorded and produced for such labels as Virgin, Timeless and his own label, Helsdingen Music and Munich Records. Both Pellitteri and Essiet have worked with many recognized jazz musicians.
The group travels across the United States in a specially-designed bus that opens into a concert hall stage, from which all of their performances are presented. The tour is reminiscent of earlier days in American jazz when musicians took their music to locations utilizing buses.
The bus is equipped with a grand piano, drum stage, back drop, lighting and a complete sound system.
Previously, the group has toured many countries and performed for large, enthusiastic crowds.
The performance in Sunnyside Park is sponsored by WSU Campus Involvement as a part of the Pullman Community Concert series. Campus Involvement annually sponsors one concert in the series.
