Mirella Pandjaitan
Jun 05, 2025
Cue the saxophones, guitars, congas, drums, keys, trumpets, and double basses—the Jakarta International BNI Java Jazz Festival (JJF) celebrated a milestone in endearing style. What began in 2005 as a bold vision to bring world-class jazz to Indonesian audiences has since blossomed into one of the world’s most prestigious jazz gatherings, transforming Jakarta into a global stage of sonic excellence.
Music is a language that unites.
Two decades have passed, and Java Jazz has become more than just a festival—it’s a movement revolving around music, culture, cross-border collaboration, community, and the abundant legacy of jazz in Indonesia. Musical legends, rising stars, and an ever-growing, passionate audience graced JIExpo Kemayoran from 30 May to 1 June 2025. Everyone had the same agenda in mind: to embrace and reflect 20 years of innovation, diversity, and musical evolution.
This year’s theme, "Unleashing Harmony: A Joyful Celebration of Sound", sets the tone for the festival’s kick-off, oozing with buzzing energy and anticipation on the first day.
A blast of melodic tunes upon entry flashed across the entrance, where countless stalls stretched out amidst the 11 spectacular stages. Everyone had their go-to picks amongst over 100 performances in merely three days. It all etched on their jazz flavour and its intersections—from classic swing and bebop to fusion, funk, soul, and experimental expressions.
Stage lights flickered to life, and the sea of jazz enthusiasts erupted from every corner. All walks of life from various backgrounds were seen frolicking from one stage to another, bopping their heads and swaying their bodies while seated or on their feet, and discovering novel melodies from different countries. It was evident during a heartfelt tribute by The Stevie Wonder Experience, where crowd-pleasing, sing-along songs were performed in a polished manner that imitated the sensation of watching the legend himself. In a way, a sense of connection flourished this Friday.
A global tapestry of talent also included Grammy-winning jazz guitarist, Lee Ritenour. His smooth, genre-blending style, and impeccable technique amazed devoted followers of jazz. Time has matured Ritenour gracefully; his unhurried stride on stage was cast aside the moment he picked up his guitar. The infatuated chants descended every time the jazz legend’s fingers strummed his guitar. Nevertheless, those chants escalated once Ritenour crooned “Is It You".
Among the spectators is Gary Oliver, who expressed the guitarist’s show as “fantastic.” Oliver travelled from New Zealand to catch the festival’s shot of soulfulness for the first time. “I’ve never been to Jakarta before this. I’m actually blown away, and I regularly attend the Montreal [International Jazz Festival] and [NN] North Sea Jazz Festival,” he enthused. “There are tons of stages we can check out and things we can do and see in a short space of time. I'll probably be back for the next few years.”
Oliver continued wandering with his wife and friends before heading to the BNI stage for Shakatak. A Jakartan named Fani has been soaking in JJF’s rhythmic gist for years. “This time I’m more into local artists—Gusti Irwan Wibowo performing at 7:30 PM at the MLD Spot Stage,” she pointed out.
She continued to say the international lineup remained intriguing to her, hence, this jazz fan, alongside her partner, was spotted comfortably seated inside the hall awaiting Shakatak to belt out.
UK jazz-funk pioneers, Shakatak, hone a legacy dating back to the 1980s—even performing a couple of tunes from the late ‘70s. Witnessing these true legends in the funk scene performing live came about as surreal, despite several songs being heard for the first time by many in the crowd. Nonetheless, the head boppings transitioned to a huddle of dancers by the stage, while those reserved stuck further away yet kept their footwork busy to "Invitation" and "Night Drive."
The glimmering moonlight hid away from the electric hues on the BYD stage as The Yussef Dayes Experience ultimately enchanted the audience.
The British drumming virtuoso known for mixing jazz, hip-hop, and African rhythms into a mesmerising live set left Tagor in complete awe. “This was the one I’d been waiting for. Honestly, I was nervous it might flop live—but it turned out amazing. Watching them felt like a dream come true. I usually just listen to them on Spotify, and now seeing them live, and that good? Unreal,” he expressed. “I loved every piece they played.”
To Tagor, Yussef Dayes is one of the best jazz drummers of his generation. The most memorable ones were "Chasing the Drum", "For My Ladies", and "Strings of Light". The only downside to Tagor was that "Love Is The Message" wasn’t played.
JJF was no less than a weekend of astonishments and warmth. JJF believes in the “unifying power of music,” and therefore, their glimpse into the future entails a cultural bridge—introducing exceptional artists rarely seen on Asian stages and pushing creative boundaries.
Salna and Alban Marupin, a South African couple, are amongst the many South Africans excited to take part in JJF this year. Jacob Collier was on this pair’s watchlist throughout the three days.
“It’s our first time at this jazz festival. We decided to travel halfway around the world because this is one of the biggest jazz events on the continent, where we could discover new, young talents,” said Salna.
JJF is more than a stage—it’s a cornerstone in the journey of many Indonesian musicians. Artists like Andien, who began her career on this very stage, are proof of its impact as she brought spectators belting their voices to her set on Friday.
True to its roots, Java Jazz continued to be a homegrown celebration, elevating Indonesia’s brightest talents as well. This year’s lineup included an eclectic mix of celebrated local icons and genre-pushing newcomers, all set to make their mark on the festival’s storied stages.
On JJF’s final day, the genre-defying British singer-songwriter, Raye, blended R&B, pop, and soul in the name of love, heartache, and defiance in equal measure. Each song felt like a new chapter in her life memoir, complete with heartfelt backstories of sorrow, courage, and hope.
Clad in a shimmering pink satin gown adorned with a bow, this rising star wasted no time opening with “Oscar Winning Tears,” her haunting ballad first performed at this year’s 67th Grammy Awards.
As the final note of her set faded and the stage dimmed, the crowd roared with a unified cry: “We want more!” Well, that’s a glimpse into every performance, regardless of the stage.
JJF 2025 delivered a spectacular blend of global and local talent, headlined by the genre-defying genius of Jacob Collier, the soulful nostalgia of Lighthouse Family’s Tunde Baiyewu, and the powerhouse presence of rising pop-soul star Raye. The festival’s international roster dazzled with performances by legends and innovators alike. Sharing the spotlight with pride, Indonesia’s finest—such as Andien, Tompi, Barry Likumahuwa, and Endah N Rhesa—infused the stages with rich, homegrown energy. Together, this dynamic lineup offered a buzzing mosaic of jazz.
Looking boldly toward the future, JJF is ready to continue its mission of creating harmony, one note at a time.
