Zahra Salsabila
Jul 24, 2025
The atmosphere was electric on Saturday night, July 20, 2025, as the Road to The Papandayan Jazz Fest (TPJF) 2025 made its way back to the charming Mirten Lounge at The Papandayan Hotel in Bandung. The highlight of the evening was a special performance by ROUGE, a contemporary jazz trio hailing from France.
This talented group features pianist-composer Madeleine Cazenave, double bassist Sylvain Didou, and drummer-electronic artist Boris Louvet. They create a unique blend of jazz infused with 20th-century classical elements and modern pop-folk influences. Their latest album, Vermeilles (2024), has garnered glowing reviews from prestigious outlets like Jazz Magazine, FIP, and France Musique, all praising its emotional richness and daring musical style.
This special performance was part of ROUGE’s Indonesia tour celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations between France and Indonesia. It also tied into the IF Incontournable 2025 cultural program by Institut Français Indonesia (IFI), with support from Institut français, AJC, Forum Jazz Indonesia, Jazz Gunung, Ubud Village Jazz Festival, CNM, and SACEM.
The night kicked off with warm words from Mr. Christoph Dreyer, Director of IFI Bandung.
“IFI has continued to support the development of jazz in Indonesia by inviting some of our best talents to come and build artistic bridges between our two countries — as we can clearly see tonight through our strong collaboration with Forum Jazz Indonesia and TP Jazz Fest,” said Mr. Christoph.
Following that, Mr. Bobby Renaldi, General Manager of The Papandayan and Founder of TP Jazz, also shared his thoughts.
“We’re proud to partner with IFI to bring ROUGE here as part of the 75th anniversary celebration of France–Indonesia diplomatic ties. Their performance adds incredible value to our journey toward the 10th edition of TP Jazz Fest and reflects the spirit of cultural exchange,” he said.
At 8:15 PM, the night began with a vibrant 30-minute set by To The Band, a local jazz act from Bandung and winner of The Papandayan International Jazz Competition 2022. After their set, an exciting jam session with ROUGE followed, where both acts shared the stage; blending different sounds, styles, and spontaneous improvisation in a creative musical exchange that felt both intimate and electric.
Then at 9:00 PM, ROUGE took full control of the stage. Performing pieces from Vermeilles, the trio crafted a calm yet stirring atmosphere, rich in texture and emotion. From the piano’s gentle melodies to the deep hum of the double bass and subtle electronic beats, they took the audience on a cinematic, soul-stirring journey. The show wrapped up at 10:00 PM, leaving the crowd deeply moved. ROUGE’s performance marked a memorable milestone on the road to The Papandayan Jazz Fest 2025, happening on October 4–5, 2025.
Early bird tickets are already available at goers.co/tpjf2025.
Stay updated through www.tpjazzfest.com and follow @TPJazzFest on Instagram.
The Papandayan Jazz Festival 2025
Jl. Gatot Subroto No.83, Bandung
