Back Again, JakJazz 2025 Invites Younger Generation To Welcome Indonesia's Jazz Legacy

Press conference of JakJazz 2025 (doc. Special)

JAKARTA - The Jakarta International Jazz Festival (JakJazz) is back from its hiatus, marking the start of its 2025 event series.

First initiated by Ireng Maulana in 1988, JakJazz is back as a space for musicians and fans across generations to gather.

From the beginning, JakJazz has been known as a friendly and open jazz exchange platform, often referred to as a "jazz bazaar." Its distinctive features include moving stages, the presence of Betawi cuisine, and collaborations with traditional arts. JakJazz also has a reputation for always presenting unexpected surprises on stage.

"JakJazz has a soul because from the beginning, it was built not just as an event, but also as a sense of togetherness, openness, and spontaneity," said Tommy Maulana, Director of JakJazz 2025, at a press conference in Kemang, South Jakarta, on Wednesday, September 24.

"We can see legendary musicians and young musicians performing on one stage, sometimes even having unplanned jam sessions. That's what makes the atmosphere intimate, warm, and very human," he continued.

After more than three decades, JakJazz is now embarking on a new chapter. This year, the festival pays special tribute to the long journey of Indonesian jazz musicians by reviving their works.

With the spirit of "Respecting the Legacy, Empowering the Youth," JakJazz not only celebrates its history but also opens up a wider space for the younger generation to grow and collaborate.

Sari W. Pramono, Chair of JakJazz 2025, explained that the return of this festival is not just nostalgia. "JakJazz is back not just for nostalgia, but to reaffirm its position as a cultural icon of Jakarta. This comeback is a moment to honor its legacy while opening up space for the younger generation," he emphasized.

Barry Likumahuwa, who was appointed as Music Director, emphasized that the concept of JakJazz 2025 will be more relevant to a cross-generational audience. He plans to present unique, tailor-made performances that cannot be found at other festivals.

"This year's JakJazz will bring together veteran musicians with emerging talents, creating a cross-generational dialogue," said Barry. "With cross-genre collaborations, JakJazz will remain relevant for today's and tomorrow's generations."

The return of JakJazz also aims to build a collective movement involving various parties, from musicians, media, government, and strategic partners.

Leading up to the main event, the public can look forward to various programs and side events, such as JakJazz Lab (workshops and creative classes), JakJazz City Beats (pop-up gigs and jamming), JakJazz Collabs (cross-industry collaborations), JakJazz Stream, and Jazz Parade & Appreciation Night.

"Each small step is a milestone towards 2026, when we aim to bring back JakJazz on a fresher and more relevant scale," said Sari.

"We believe that the return of JakJazz will be a shared space to celebrate music, creativity, and collaboration," he concluded.