Director Burhan Sukarma’s soulful suling bamboo flute playing features in glorious interplay with guest artist Ani Sukmawati’s luxurious vocals.
The Dresher Ensemble Studio is the perfect environment to experience the intimate nature of Tembang Sunda. The music of this concert, while steeped in tradition, features many recent compositions by Burhan including the world premier performance of a new vocal piece written to be performed with the guest artists.
Pusaka Sunda
Pusaka Sunda is a 12-member West Javanese performing arts group, led by Burhan Sukarma and based in the San Francisco Bay Area with strong collaborative connections to Bandung, Indonesia. Founded in 1988, Pusaka Sunda provides a voice for Burhan’s own compositions as well as a means for promulgating the traditional music of West Java. The group has performed all over the United States, toured West Java and produced five recordings of traditional and original music to great acclaim.
Burhan Sukarma
Director Burhan Sukarma has a 50 year career as a prolific recording artist, composer and performer. He is known internationally for his improvisational virtuosity on the suling bamboo flute. Burhan has performed, recorded and taught throughout the world and directed the group Pusaka Sunda for the past 35 years. His latest compositions are featured on the recently released recordings, “Ningnang” and “Utama”.
Ani Sukmawati
Guest artist Ani Sukmawati is recognized as one of the most sought after vocalists in West Java. Her vocal range includes performances and recordings in multiple music genres. Ani has won many of the prestigious vocal competitions that are held annually throughout West Java. Her online video performances have hundreds of thousands of viewers from around the world.
Yusdiana
Guest artist Yusdiana is an award-winning virtuoso on the kacapi and gamelan degung instruments. He has gained an international reputation through his performances in Europe and Asia. As a first call musician for music competitions, festivals and national events, he performs frequently on TV Republik Indonesia Bandung and Radio Republik Indonesia.
Rina Oesman
Guest artist Rina Oesman is an award-winning vocalist from Bandung, West Java. She has performed throughout the United States and England. She is a sought-after judge at many of the Tembang Sunda vocal competitions in West Java.
This performance is funded in part by a grant from the American Indonesian Cultural and Educational Foundation.
The Dresher Ensemble Studio is located in West Oakland (very near the Bay Bridge) in a large building whose entrance is at 2201 Poplar Street, Oakland, at the corner of Poplar and West Grand Ave. Street parking is easily accessible. Seating is limited – Tickets should be purchased in advance.
