Daddy's World: January 2009

We went, we saw, we froze our butts off!

And along with 3 million other Americans, we shopped for anything with Obama, Inaugural, or 44th President emblazoned upon it!

I must say I'm proud to be a member of the Jakarta Band.

These people worked their asses off over a four day period with little or no sleep, and in some cases, hangovers.

Our trip began last Saturday night at about

11:00PM At DIA. Our flight left at 1:00AM, and after stopping in Atlanta for a couple of hours we finally made it to DC. From the airport to the hotel to unpack what was needed for that nights performance, a quick bite to eat, and then off to the event.

Sunday night was a cast party at Charlie Palmers Steak house for Giancarlo Esposito and crew, for the release of his new movie "Gospel Hill". I kept looking for Danny Glover, and Angela Bassett, but there were so many folks I didn't have a sighting. And of course there were the private rooms. But all in all everybody, including the band had a great time.

The next day we went out for a bit of sightseeing, and that turned into a small nightmare. Too many people! They say there were over 20,000 tour busses in town for the event, and I believe they're not to far off. The city closed the bridges and used them as parking lots for the busses. Train station closed. Streets closed. Nightmare.

But our blessing turned out to be a man by the name of Eddie Martin. Vice Mayor of District Heights. This brother brought a city bus, and a badge that got us though every roadblock. Army, Secret Service, FBI, CIA. It didn't matter who or where, we got through.

And big props go out to the man for dealing with the traffic. God bless you Eddie Martin. PEACE my brother!

We ran into our sponsors from AT&T that got us the DNC, and RNC in Minneapolis last summer. A shout out to Tom, and Jenelle. They took the band to dinner Monday night to the JW Marriot on Capitol Hill. Very nice. Very nice indeed!

Tuesday was when the real nightmare began. Every street to get us to the Four Seasons for that nights event seemed to be blocked. Again Eddie Martin to the rescue. No problem. As a matter of fact for some time we were the only people on the streets.

Tuesday nights event was for the Congressional Black Caucus Institute. Again a great party. Even Aretha Franklin dropped by but only to check out the entertainment, and to eat dinner. Sorry, her security would not let us get a picture with the Queen of Soul. Oh well. I did get a picture with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, and her hubby who also partied with us in Denver.

It was a tiring trip, but one I'd gladly take anytime. We didn't get a chance to get to the speech, but just being there felt really good. And most importantly, our clients had a great time.

Well I just wanted to share. You all have a great and blessed day. PEACE!

Daddy.

P.S. Our lead vocalist Selina Albright wasn't able to make the trip with us. Her Mom and Dad took her to the Bahamas for a birthday present. We missed you Selina!!! Ms. Turi Gustofson

sat in for Selina, and did a wonderful job. Thanks Turi!

January 13, 2009

Denver’s own Jakarta Band has been invited to perform for the Congressional Black Caucus Inaugural Ball January 20th in Washington DC. .

The nine piece group has been a favorite of the politico this year, having performed five nights in Denver for the DNC, and then traveling to Minneapolis for five nights with the RNC.

This all got started back in 2004 when former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick invited the group to Boston for the DNC Democratic Mayors party and Jakarta brought down the house along with Motown artist Kem.

The group headed by Isaac Points, and managed by his lovely wife Korin Points have been a popular choice for corporate events around the country.

Due to the amount of corporate events on the bands calendar, fans and friends of the group don’t often get to experience the Jakarta groove. So if you haven’t had the chance to see the group live, you’re in luck! Jakarta will be in Evergreen Colorado for two nights at the Little Bear Saloon Friday, January 23rd, and Saturday, January 24th.

So come on up and get your groove on with the hottest funk band in the nation. Jakarta! PEACE!

www.thejakartaband.com