Following the successful solo debut “Hela”, singer/songwriter/artiste Grace Sahertian is releasing her new single “Beautiful” featuring a Grammy-winning American jazz saxophonist and songwriter, probably best known for his moving sax solo in Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”, Kirk Whalum.
Some people might take it as a coindence when something special happens out of nowhere. But for believers, they would take it as a blessing from heaven. Grace and Kirk met at the Java Jazz Festival 2017. At that time, right after Grace sealed her performance, Kirk approached her and praised her performance. He even said that Grace was the highlight of this biggest jazz fest to him. This is an unforgettable moment for Grace, especially since Kirk has always been one of her sources of inspiration.
Later on in October 2017, Kirk called Grace and asked her to be featured in his upcoming album. Having inspired by this, Grace wrote “Beautiful” which mainly reflects on the quality of human being, power of humanity, faith,love, empathy, compassion, and invites people to feel positively about themselves. Grace conveys the message into social and spiritual aspects of female identity, and she does so with charming wit and tender wisdom. Kirk came to Jakarta in January 2018 to do the recordings. It got substantial support from Kirk’s producer, trumpeter James McMillan.
For this single, Grace is teaming up with pianist/composer graduated from Berklee College of Music, David Manuhutu. “Beautiful” textures out of the simple lineup of acoustic grand piano and synth by David, acoustic upright bass by Rudy Zulkarnaen, acoustic guitar by Rayhan Sudrajat , drum by Dimas Pradipta, and of course the inspiring alto saxophone sound by Kirk. Wrapped in a jazzy chords, all complimenting Grace’s enchanting vocal. For the backing vocals Grace brings in her friends Puspallia Panggabean, Devina Ompusungu, Johanes Fayakun and Gideon Manurung. As this single is spiritually connected to her previous album, Grace moved further by inserting Indonesian’s touch by adding Sape, a traditional instrument from Kalimantan into the arrangement. A mixture between traditional and modern music, yielded a delightful result, which gives enormous support to Grace’s sublime message.
For the video clip, Grace collaborates with Kausa, Drupadi and Jalin. The video aims to empower its viewers, with all the stigma and social pressure that is truly ‘terrorizing’ nowadays, self-appreciation is a crucial thing to every human being, especially a woman.
Beautiful song, positive message and collaboration made in heaven, that’s what “Beautiful” is about.
“You are seeds of love, wrapped in endless grace. You are so beautiful.” – Grace Sahertian.
–Riandy Kurniawan
Melanjutkan suksesnya debut album “Hela”, penyanyi/penulis lagu/seniman Grace Sahertian segera merilis single terbarunya bertajuk “Beautiful” berkolaborasi dengan Kirk Whalum, peniup saxophone legendaris asal Amerika Serikat, sang pemenang Grammy yang permainannya berhasil menampilkan momen abadi pada lagu “I Will Always Love You” yang dipopulerkan oleh Whitney Houston.
Dari mana semuanya berawal? Bagi sebagian orang, sesuatu yang istimewa seringkali dianggap sebagai sebuah kebetulan. Tapi bagi mereka yang percaya, itu merupakan sebuah berkah dari Sang Pencipta. Grace dan Kirk bertemu pada perhelatan Java Jazz Festival 2017. Kirk pada saat itu menonton penampilan Grace sampai selesai, dan kemudian langsung menghampiri setelahnya. Kirk menyampaikan kekagumannya, bahkan mengatakan bahwa baginya Grace Sahertian adalah highlight dari festival jazz terbesar di dunia ini. Bagi Grace, itu adalah salah satu momen spesial yang tak terlupakan, terutama karena Kirk sudah lama menjadi salah satu sumber inspirasinya.
Selang beberapa bulan kemudian, Kirk menghubungi Grace dan mengajaknya untuk turut dalam album mendatang yang bercerita tentang indahnya keragaman dan betapa pentingnya sebuah kebersamaan dalam kerangka kemanusiaan bagi manusia yang tinggal di berbagai belahan dunia. Terinspirasi oleh ide Kirk, Grace kemudian menulis lagu “Beautiful” dan mengajak Kirk untuk mengisi saxophone di lagu tersebut. Prosesnya sangat singkat. Pada bulan Januari 2018, Kirk dan timnya datang ke Jakarta untuk melakukan proses rekaman.
Secara umum, lirik lagu “Beautiful” pun berbicara tentang “Humanity”, bagaimana seharusnya kualitas seorang manusia yang hidup di tengah perbedaan yang ada, dengansegala keunikan dan keragamannya. Grace mengajak para pendengar untuk mencintai dirisendiri dan menabur kasih dimanapun kita berada, dengan menitikberatkan pada sosok perempuan yang berkarya.
Untuk single “Beautiful”, Grace mengajak David Manuhutu, pianis jazz muda lulusan Berklee College of Music, sebagai produser. Proses rekaman dilakukan pada bulan Februari 2018 dengan dibantu oleh rekan-rekan musisi diantaranya, Dimas Pradipta (drum), Rudy Zulkarnaen (bass), David Manuhutu (piano, keyboard & synthesizer) dan RayhanSudrajat (guitar & sape – instrumen musik tradisional Kalimantan). Untuk vokal latar, Grace mengajak Puspallia Panggabean, Devina Ompusungu, Johanes Fayakun dan Gideon Manurung.
Untuk pembuatan video klip “Beautiful”, Grace berkolaborasi dengan teman-temannya yang memiliki latar belakang serta misi yang serupa, yaitu Drupadi untuk seni teater; Kausa untuk video dan foto, serta Jalin untuk kebutuhan artistik serta kostum. Video ini akan menginspirasi penontonnya untuk menghargai diri sendiri, terutama perempuan dalam perannya di dunia ini.
“You are seeds of love, wrapped in endless grace. You are so beautiful.” – Grace Sahertian
–Riandy Kurniawan
CREDITS
Beautiful – Grace Sahertian ft. Kirk Whalum
Composed by: Grace Sahertian
Produced & Arranged by: David Manuhutu
Piano, Keys, Synth: David Manuhutu
Guitar, Sape: Rayhan Sudrajat
Upright Bass: Rudy Zulkarnaen
Drums: Dimas Pradipta
Saxophone: Kirk Whalum(*)
Backing Vocals: Grace Sahertian, Puspallia Panggabean, Devina Ompusungu, Johanes Fayakun, Gideon Manurung
Mixed & Mastered by: James McMillan (quietmoneymusic.co.uk)
Engineered by: Adhit Android
Recorded at: Backbeat Studio Jakarta, Studio 8 Bandung & Aru Studio Bandung
(*)Kirk Whalum appears courtesy of Mack Avenue Records
CONTACT
Booking & Press Inquiries:
Bunga Asmara +6281123886
Email: [email protected]
Official Website: www.gracesahertian.com
LYRICS
You are..
You are so beautiful..
Verse.
Under the open sky
We are flowers, of many colours
Growing side by side
Among the sharpest thorns
We are breathing, we are living
Let the sunshine in
Bridge.
Crush every fear, heal your pain
Bloom with grace, and love again
Start from yourself, be the change
Spread your fragrance, through your veins
Reff.
We are seeds of love
Wrapped in endless grace
We are seeds of love
Brighter than the sun
We are seeds of love
Rise above the clouds
We are seeds of love,
Paint the night with stars
