Zahra Salsabila
Nov 11, 2025
The Papandayan Hotel officially launched its newest music program, TP Jazz Universe, a fresh and colorful platform for jazz lovers to enjoy cross-cultural collaborations and vibrant performances. The first edition of the series, held on October 24, opened with a soulful night featuring Boaz Roelevink, a singer-songwriter from the Netherlands known for his warm voice and heartfelt storytelling. This performance marked the first stop of his Stone Cold Sober Indonesia Tour, with Jakarta and Ambon following.
Boaz blends blues, soul, and country into a sound that feels both classic and fresh. Born in the Netherlands and raised in South Africa, he discovered his passion for music early, performing on the streets before taking the stage professionally. His debut album, Keep It Simple, reflects his personal stories; moments of love, loss, and hope, expressed through sincere, soulful melodies.
We met him at the Mirten Lounge for a relaxed chat during a short break after tuning his guitar. Despite a long flight, Boaz radiated energy and excitement for his Bandung performance. When asked how his music connects to jazz, he said,
“It’s all about storytelling. Blues is darker, like pain or heartbreak. Soul is like the heart, and country is storytelling too. With jazz, even without lyrics, you can hear musicians tell stories through their instruments. That’s where I see the connection. It’s all storytelling.”
Boaz’s musical influences are wide and evolving. While artists like Chris Stapleton inspire him, his journey began unexpectedly — he once dreamed of being a rapper. Guided by his parents’ love for country, soul, and gospel, he blended these sounds with modern beats, creating a unique style.
Performing at TP Stage, a venue known for hosting great local and international jazz musicians, Boaz felt at home.
“The whole stage and this hotel scream artists and musicians. I feel really welcomed here, and you can really feel the love for music. It encourages me to give my best tonight.”
Reflecting on his debut and what’s ahead, Boaz shared that Keep It Simple was written between the ages of seventeen and nineteen. A time of exploring love, life, and self-discovery. His upcoming album, set to release next year, represents a return to his roots in Friesland, the Dutch province where he grew up. Through it, he aims to tell stories about everyday life back home while blending his country-inspired sound with his own identity.
“It’s going back to where I came from — telling stories about how we live there, but still making it sound like me,” he said.
For a first-time listener, he recommends the track Lighthouse from Keep It Simple. The song highlights his heartfelt songwriting and storytelling.
“Lighthouse is one of my favorites, and I wrote it completely on my own. Ever since I wrote it, I’ve kept the chords and everything the way it is.”
Before ending our conversation, Boaz spoke about one of his song that carries a message especially close to his heart — Hand in Hand. The song, he explained, was born from a simple yet powerful idea: that despite our differences, we can still walk side by side.
“It’s about how we all see the world differently, but we should respect each other and come together. It’s about agreeing to disagree.”
With his Indonesia tour, Boaz brings stories, roots, and heartfelt music to audiences, bridging genres and cultures, and proving that storytelling is truly at the heart of every song. His performance at TP Jazz Universe set the tone for a program that promises energy, collaboration, and connection for Bandung’s jazz lovers.
TP Jazz Universe
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