James F. Sundah
Encyclopedia
Ir. James F. Sundah is a popular Indonesian songwriter, of Manadonese descent. He was born in Semarang on December 1, 1955. A prominent figure in the Indonesian music industry, Sundah is best known for his evergreen song "Lilin Lilin Kecil" (Little Candles), sung by the late Chrisye
(released in 1977). Which won the "Listeners' Favorite Choice" Award from the prominent Prambors Rasisonia Radio in Jakarta.
In 1977, Sundah got his breakthrough for winning the "Listeners' Favorite Choice" Award in the Youth Songwriting Competition (Lomba Cipta Lagu Remaja – LCLR) hosted by Prambors Radio. The competition and the song are often credited as the turning point of the pop era in the Indonesian music industry. "Lilin-lilin Kecil" was on top of the Indonesian charts for more than one year and sent Chrisye
to prominence. In the late 1970s, Sundah collaborated with Yockie Soerjoprajogo on "Jurang Pemisah" (The Severing Abyss). The album is considered a collectible and a high value item for Indonesian collectors.
He is credited for discovering the talents of Vina Panduwinata, Ruth Sahanaya
, Krisdayanti
, all of whom are considered Indonesian divas. He has worked with a wide range of musicians throughout his career including Vina Panduwinata, January Christy, Sheila Madjid (Malaysian), Ismi Azis (Malaysian), Fairuz Hussein
(Malaysian), Blue Diamond
(Dutch), Victor Wood
(Philippines), Ruth Sahanaya
, Krisdayanti
, Chrisye
, Yockie Soerjoprajogo, Erwin Gutawa, and many others. Sundah was instrumental in the formation of the group Suara Persaudaraan (Voices of Brotherhood) in 1986, which, according to a Rolling Stones article, is considered as the largest "jamboree" of musicians of all times. Sundah participated in Pacific Harmony in 1995, and collaborated with top notch artistes from USA and Europe including Lois Walden and Cathy Dennis
. With Titiek Puspa
and the Scorpions
, he wrote "When You Came Into My Life", on their 1996 album Pure Instinct
. The song was later re-released as a Single and was produced by the award-winning producer David Foster
.
In Solo International Ethnic Music 2007, he introduced the concept of "Generasi Edan" (Madness Era), marked by the speedy development of technology. E-d-a-n, in Indonesian literally means madness, is a term cointed by Rangga Warsita
, a famous Javanese poet, predicting the coming of the madness era. Creatively, Sundah broke down "edan" as an abbreviation of Electronic – Digital – Angka-angka (numbers) – New norm, explaining that to remain in tune with the world development today, one must adapt to the "new" things which were considered many years back.
, and Krisdayanti
. In 1996, Sundah's signature song "Little Candles" was chosen as the theme song of the International AIDS Memorial celebration in Indonesia. In 2002, Minoru Endo Music Foundation in Japan selected "Little Candles" as one of South East Asian evergreen songs.
And many others.
Chrisye
Chrismansyah Rahadi , better known by his stage name Chrisye , was an Indonesian progressive-pop singer and song writer of mixed Chinese-Indonesian descent. He was born in Jakarta on 16 September 1949, and died there on 30 March 2007 following a long battle with lung cancer. He recorded 21 solo...
(released in 1977). Which won the "Listeners' Favorite Choice" Award from the prominent Prambors Rasisonia Radio in Jakarta.
Career
Sundah's musical career began at a very young age. His father, Alfred Sundah, is known as one of the most important cultural figures in North Sulawesi especially for his efforts to preserving Kolintang and bamboo music. He began playing for his father's recordings at the age of 8.In 1977, Sundah got his breakthrough for winning the "Listeners' Favorite Choice" Award in the Youth Songwriting Competition (Lomba Cipta Lagu Remaja – LCLR) hosted by Prambors Radio. The competition and the song are often credited as the turning point of the pop era in the Indonesian music industry. "Lilin-lilin Kecil" was on top of the Indonesian charts for more than one year and sent Chrisye
Chrisye
Chrismansyah Rahadi , better known by his stage name Chrisye , was an Indonesian progressive-pop singer and song writer of mixed Chinese-Indonesian descent. He was born in Jakarta on 16 September 1949, and died there on 30 March 2007 following a long battle with lung cancer. He recorded 21 solo...
to prominence. In the late 1970s, Sundah collaborated with Yockie Soerjoprajogo on "Jurang Pemisah" (The Severing Abyss). The album is considered a collectible and a high value item for Indonesian collectors.
He is credited for discovering the talents of Vina Panduwinata, Ruth Sahanaya
Ruth Sahanaya
Ruth Sahanaya is an Indonesian singer. She rose to fame in the late 1980s and is perhaps best known for her hit song "Kaulah Segalanya". She has toured internationally, been the Indonesian representative at many music festivals, and has received multiple awards...
, Krisdayanti
Krisdayanti
-External links:*...
, all of whom are considered Indonesian divas. He has worked with a wide range of musicians throughout his career including Vina Panduwinata, January Christy, Sheila Madjid (Malaysian), Ismi Azis (Malaysian), Fairuz Hussein
Fairuz Hussein
Fairuz Hussein is a Malaysian R&B/Jazz singer, songwriter, producer.Recording artiste Fairuz Hussein is a familiar name in the Malaysian music industry. The talent of second daughter to award winning director/actor Hussein Abu Hassan A.M.N...
(Malaysian), Blue Diamond
Blue Diamond
Blue Diamond may refer to:* "Blue Diamond", a song recorded by Gene Summers, first in 1963, on Donnybrook Records. The song title should have read Big Blue Diamonds and was later corrected when the recording was issued on Capri Records and then Jamie Records.* A blue diamond, the most famous...
(Dutch), Victor Wood
Victor Wood
Victor "Vic" Wood is a singer, actor and politician. His voice earned him various titles, including "Jukebox King" and "Plaka King"....
(Philippines), Ruth Sahanaya
Ruth Sahanaya
Ruth Sahanaya is an Indonesian singer. She rose to fame in the late 1980s and is perhaps best known for her hit song "Kaulah Segalanya". She has toured internationally, been the Indonesian representative at many music festivals, and has received multiple awards...
, Krisdayanti
Krisdayanti
-External links:*...
, Chrisye
Chrisye
Chrismansyah Rahadi , better known by his stage name Chrisye , was an Indonesian progressive-pop singer and song writer of mixed Chinese-Indonesian descent. He was born in Jakarta on 16 September 1949, and died there on 30 March 2007 following a long battle with lung cancer. He recorded 21 solo...
, Yockie Soerjoprajogo, Erwin Gutawa, and many others. Sundah was instrumental in the formation of the group Suara Persaudaraan (Voices of Brotherhood) in 1986, which, according to a Rolling Stones article, is considered as the largest "jamboree" of musicians of all times. Sundah participated in Pacific Harmony in 1995, and collaborated with top notch artistes from USA and Europe including Lois Walden and Cathy Dennis
Cathy Dennis
Cathy Dennis is a British dance-oriented pop singer-songwriter, record producer and actress...
. With Titiek Puspa
Titiek Puspa
Sumarti , better known by her stage name Titiek Puspa, is an Indonesian singer and songwriter. Rolling Stone Indonesia has selected two of her songs as some of the best Indonesian songs ever.-Biography:...
and the Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
, he wrote "When You Came Into My Life", on their 1996 album Pure Instinct
Pure Instinct
Pure Instinct is the thirteenth studio album by German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1996.The cover art for this album like many previous Scorpions album cover was replaced with an alternative cover for some releases due to the nudity on the original cover...
. The song was later re-released as a Single and was produced by the award-winning producer David Foster
David Foster
David Walter Foster, OC, OBC , is a Canadian musician, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, and arranger, noted for discovering singers such as Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, and Charice Pempengco; and for producing some of the most successful artists in the world, such as Céline Dion, Toni...
.
Activism
"No Song, No Music Industry," is one of Sundah's most popular quotes that have been published by numerous media. A staunch advocate on piracy, Sundah is currently Chair of Information Technology Department at the Indonesian Association of Singers, Songwriters and Arrangers (PAPPRI), Indonesia’s musician union, is also known an http://www.suarapembaruan.com/News/2006/05/22/Editor/edit01.htm. He is also known an expert on cultural issues, often writes, and represents Indonesia in various forums abroad.In Solo International Ethnic Music 2007, he introduced the concept of "Generasi Edan" (Madness Era), marked by the speedy development of technology. E-d-a-n, in Indonesian literally means madness, is a term cointed by Rangga Warsita
Rangga Warsita
Raden Ngabehi Rangga Warsita was a Javanese poet. He was born into a famous literary family in Surakarta, in Central Java, the Yasadipura family. People regarded him as the last Javanese poet....
, a famous Javanese poet, predicting the coming of the madness era. Creatively, Sundah broke down "edan" as an abbreviation of Electronic – Digital – Angka-angka (numbers) – New norm, explaining that to remain in tune with the world development today, one must adapt to the "new" things which were considered many years back.
Awards and honors
In addition to the "Listeners' Favorite Choice" Award in the Youth Songwriting Competition, Sundah won several BASF Awards, which is the highest award in Indonesian music, most notably for his work with Voices of Brotherhood, Ruth SahanayaRuth Sahanaya
Ruth Sahanaya is an Indonesian singer. She rose to fame in the late 1980s and is perhaps best known for her hit song "Kaulah Segalanya". She has toured internationally, been the Indonesian representative at many music festivals, and has received multiple awards...
, and Krisdayanti
Krisdayanti
-External links:*...
. In 1996, Sundah's signature song "Little Candles" was chosen as the theme song of the International AIDS Memorial celebration in Indonesia. In 2002, Minoru Endo Music Foundation in Japan selected "Little Candles" as one of South East Asian evergreen songs.
Personal life
Sundah is married to Lia Sundah Suntoso and has one child. He made international headlines in 2009 when he had to re-take his driver's license exam three times because | he refused to pay bribes to the officials to get his lost copy replaced.Discography
- Lilin-lilin Kecil (1977)
- Jurang Pemisah (1979)
- Citra Biru (1980)
- Citra Pesona (1982)
- Melayang (1986)
- Suara Persaudaraan (1986)
- Ozon (1989)
- Basa-Basi (1990)
- OST Catatan Si Emon (1991)
- Tak Kuduga (1989)
- Legenda (1990, re-released 2009)
- The Slow Collections (1990)
- Indonesian Top Ten (1990)
- Pure InstinctPure InstinctPure Instinct is the thirteenth studio album by German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1996.The cover art for this album like many previous Scorpions album cover was replaced with an alternative cover for some releases due to the nudity on the original cover...
(1990)
And many others.