JAKARTA - The Java Jazz Festival (JJF) has transformed into a music festival that is closer to young people than classical jazz lovers. But that doesn't mean this event leaves old musicians just like that.
In addition to the performances of Jacob Collier, Raye, and Jesus Molina who teased the audience, the 20th Java Jazz Festival celebration which was held at JIExpo Kemayoran, Central Jakarta last weekend also featured famous musicians from the last century, such as Lee Ritenour and Shakakak.
Lee Ritenour did present his new releases, such as Cravo e Canela from the album Brazil (with Dave Grusin - 2024), but what is the audience's favorite is still numbers like Etude, Captain Fingers, and It's You.
"We have a big request from Java (Jazz Festival) for me to perform an old song titled 'Is It You'," said Lee Ritenour, when telling the audience that the promoter asked him to perform old songs.
Lee Ritenour's appearance that night was attended by thousands of spectators who filled the room. It became more special because Peter Gontha as the initiator JJF appeared first to welcome the guitarist's presence on stage.
"I want to take this opportunity to personally invite Lee Ritenour to take the stage," Peter said, who came from backstage to the audience.
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I told the audience that you are one of the artists who has always supported Indonesia from the start, Peter told Ritenour again. I have told the audience that you weren't here in the early Java Jazz, but you were here before the Java Jazz started. You have played at The Jakarta Jazz Festival, you play at Ancol, Jamz Club in Blok M, and you play in many places in Indonesia, in Surabaya and Bandung.
Peter also expressed his gratitude to the Ritenour who were willing to return to appear in JJF.
Thank you very much Lee Ritenour. Look at the audience, the people in this room are real jazz people, these people will love you forever, and I thank you very much for your support for our country. Thank you so much for coming back again," he said.
Not only Lee Ritenour, whose appearance invites many audiences. Shakak, a British band known for his airy music, also received a similar welcome. Songs like 'Night Birds', 'Dark Is the Night', 'Easier Said Than Done', to 'Day By Day' make the whole room sing together not only for song lyrics, but also catchy melodies from keyboards and other instruments.
Songs and old melodies are in fact still a special attraction for the viewers of JJF 2025. The performance of the cover band TheTEN Wonder Celebration was also attended by many audiences. Even though they know that it's notTE Wonder on stage, they still sing every lyrics from hit songs such as Isnt She Lovely, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Sir Duke, Don't You Worry Bout A Thing, Higher Ground, Superstition, Masterulin (Jammin), For Once In My Life, to I Wish.
In addition to foreign artists, the appearances of Kris Dayanti, Danilla, Bilal Indrajaya, and Adikara who brought tribute to Titiek Puspa and Dira Sugandi who brought tribute to the 'queen of Soul' also became a separate magnet at JJF 2025.
Despite coming from different centuries, appearances that perform old songs in fact not only attract interest from those who are middle-aged and know better, but also young people to teenagers.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
