Zahra Salsabila
May 23, 2025
Following a rigorous selection and judging process, The Papandayan International Jazz Competition (TPJC) 2025 officially crowned Blue Matter Trio from Yogyakarta as the Youth Jazz Category Champion, and Kinematics from Japan as the Jazz Warrior Category Champion.
The competition, held in a hybrid format, featured online preliminary and semifinal rounds, culminating in a live grand final at The Papandayan Hotel on May 22, 2025. A total of ten finalists were selected across two age-based categories:
Youth Jazz Category Finalists (under 23 years old):
1. Jazztronomy (Semarang, Indonesia)
2. ITB Jazz (Bandung, Indonesia)
3. Naraya Trio (Jaten, Karanganyar, Indonesia) – 3rd Place
4. Nusanta Quartet (North Bekasi, Indonesia)
5. Blue Matter Trio (Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia) – 1st Place
6. Contento (Semarang, Indonesia)
7. Masiki Tacari (Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia) – 2nd Place
Jazz Warrior Category Finalists (23 years and above):
1. Benn Yapari Quintet (Tangerang, Indonesia) – 2nd Place
2. Gitabumi Singers (Jakarta, Indonesia)
3. Kinematics (Aichi, Japan) – 1st Place
The judging panel consisted of acclaimed Indonesian musicians Barry Likumahuwa, Nita Aartsen, Venche Manuhutu, and Hari Pochang, along with international judges Henk Kraaijeveld from the Netherlands and Kostas Patsiotis from Greece. Each finalist performed two pieces: one required composition and one original. In the Youth category, the required piece was “Di Bawah Sinar Bulan Purnama,” popularized by Sundari Soekotjo, while the Warrior category finalists were required to perform “Bubuy Bulan” by Benny Korda.
The winners expressed their appreciation for TPJC 2025:
“It's such a big honor for me, Aristo, and Raffael to receive first place in The Papandayan Jazz Competition 2025 for Youth Category. We’ve learned so much throughout this competition, and we’re really glad we formed this trio. Thank you to the judges, organizers, and everyone behind TPJC 2025. Also, shout out to our friends who were a huge help, especially those who supported our audio production and lent me their guitar and pedals,” – Marvel, Blue Matter Trio
“It was a very fun and exciting competition. I was deeply inspired by the respect for jazz and the bold creativity of the participants, from the youth to the warrior bands. Arranging Bubuy Bulan was a big challenge—I poured all my ideas and emotion into the melody. The judges’ comments also touched me deeply. I look forward to meeting everyone at The Papandayan Jazz Festival. Thank you all so much,” – Hirosato, Kinematics
As first-place winners in their respective categories, Blue Matter Trio and Kinematics each received a cash prize of IDR 25,000,000. The second-place winners received IDR 20,000,000, while the third-place winner in the Youth category, Naraya Trio, received IDR 10,000,000. This year, the judges also awarded a special “Best New Talent” prize to Maximiliano Jayden of Naraya Trio for his exceptional flute performance, which came with a cash prize of IDR 5,000,000.
In addition to cash prizes, winners received gold-plated trophies and certificates of recognition. Furthermore, the two grand champions—Blue Matter Trio and Kinematics—will be featured on the main stage of The Papandayan Jazz Fest (TPJF) 2025, to be held in October in Bandung.
“The TP Jazz International Online Competition is a reflection of TP Jazz Management’s commitment to elevating Indonesia to the global jazz scene. This year’s event welcomed participants from six continents and featured both Indonesian and international judges. Since the competition’s inception in 2021, the top prize had consistently gone to Indonesian groups—something that makes us proud and confident in the strong spirit and outstanding quality of our participants and finalists each year,” – Bobby Renaldi, General Manager of The Papandayan and Founder of TP Jazz Management
Now in its fifth year, TPJC continues to draw the attention of global jazz musicians through its innovative hybrid format. The 2025 edition is proudly presented by The Papandayan Jazz Management with the support of Erasmus Huis (the Dutch Cultural Center), Blue Bird, Golden Bird, RON 88, and Bank BTN.
The Papandayan Hotel
Jl. Gatot Subroto No.83, Bandung
P: (022) 7310799
Instagram
Website
