Zahra Salsabila
Oct 09, 2026
The collaboration between Kota Baru Parahyangan (KBP) and The Papandayan Jazz Fest (TPJF) 2026 brought one of the festival’s most distinctive stages to this year’s event. Embracing the spirit of bringing creativity, culture, and community together, the Kota Baru Parahyangan Stage served as a platform for exclusive performances showcasing the diversity of Indonesian music across generations and musical styles.
Over the festival’s two-day run, the stage at Suagi Ballroom, The Papandayan Hotel Bandung, featured an impressive lineup of musicians, from legends and innovators to emerging talents shaping the country’s music industry. Each performance was curated to offer more than entertainment, highlighting how music continues to evolve through dialogue between generations, genres, and artistic approaches.
One of the main highlights was “A Night of Frank Sinatra,” a tribute to one of the world’s most iconic musical figures, led by Dwiki Dharmawan alongside Dira Sugandi, Dirly Dave, and Bandung Jazz Orchestra. Through an impressive big-band arrangement, the musicians delivered fresh interpretations of Frank Sinatra’s classics, demonstrating how musical legacies can remain alive and relevant for contemporary audiences.
A different atmosphere emerged with Diskoria feat. Andien, bringing together modern disco aesthetics and the elegant vocal character of one of Indonesia’s finest singers. The collaboration delivered a warm, nostalgic energy while demonstrating how Indonesian popular music can continue to evolve without losing its identity.
Meanwhile, Freedom Jazz Society feat. Rinni was among the festival’s most exclusive programs. Featuring Greybox, Jevin Julian, Kenny Gabriel, and Winky Wiryawan, alongside Rinni, the ensemble was specially formed to perform at The Papandayan Jazz Fest 2026. Blending jazz, electronic music, soul, and modern grooves, the project made its debut in this particular formation and had never been presented at another festival or music event.
The Kota Baru Parahyangan Stage also featured two influential female artists from different generations of the Indonesian music industry. Ruth Sahanaya, one of Indonesia’s most celebrated divas, captivated the audience with her remarkable vocals and musicianship, honed over more than three decades. Meanwhile, Mahalini brought the energy of a new generation, showcasing her powerful voice and a collection of songs that forged an emotional connection with the thousands of spectators filling the performance area.
Completing this cross-generational musical journey, The Gentlemen’s Club, comprising Adikara, Bilal Indrajaya, and Teza Sumendra, presented a special program titled “Tribute to Koes Plus.” Through fresh interpretations of songs by one of the most influential groups in Indonesian music history, the three musicians offered a tribute that felt both renewed and relevant to contemporary audiences.
According to Tyagita R. Hermawan, Event Director of The Papandayan Jazz Fest 2026, the Kota Baru Parahyangan Stage embodied the collaborative spirit that served as one of the defining threads in this year’s festival curation.
“Approximately 60 percent of TPJF 2026’s program was presented in collaborative formats. We wanted to create experiences that were not only artistically outstanding but also exclusive and unavailable on other stages. The Kota Baru Parahyangan Stage was one of the strongest representations of this spirit, from A Night of Frank Sinatra and Freedom Jazz Society to Tribute to Koes Plus, all of which were specially developed for the festival,” she said.
Tyagita added that this approach was part of TPJF’s ongoing efforts to encourage new creative ideas while bringing musicians from different generations together in a shared space for musical appreciation.
The collaboration also aligned with Kota Baru Parahyangan’s vision of creating a living environment that goes beyond physical development to support the growth of arts, culture, and creativity.
“Kota Baru Parahyangan believes that a good city should offer more than physical spaces for living and daily activities. It should also provide room for individuals and communities to grow in ways that are cultured, adaptive, and creative. Through our collaboration with The Papandayan Jazz Fest, we wanted to present a stage showcasing the best works of Indonesian musicians while offering the public an enjoyable cultural experience,” said Joseph Ijong Dachlan, Marketing Manager of Kota Baru Parahyangan.
Built on the philosophy of Independent, Civilized, and Natural Living, Kota Baru Parahyangan consistently supports initiatives that encourage creativity, education, arts, and culture. The presence of the Kota Baru Parahyangan Stage at TPJF 2026 was a tangible expression of this commitment.
Through a carefully curated program that brought together tributes to global musical heritage, explorations of contemporary sounds, and fresh interpretations of legendary Indonesian songs, the Kota Baru Parahyangan Stage offered a musical journey across genres, generations, and eras. More than a source of entertainment, it celebrated creativity and collaboration as powerful forces that bring people together.
The Papandayan Hotel
Jl. Gatot Subroto No.83, Bandung
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