Amid a festival landscape increasingly dominated by multi-genre formats and ever-changing trends, The Papandayan Jazz Fest (TPJF) 2026 once again proved that jazz continues to hold a strong place in Indonesia.
Now in its 11th edition, The Papandayan Jazz Fest, held on the 3rd–4th of October 2026 at The Papandayan Hotel Bandung, delivered a celebration of music that not only featured renowned artists but also strengthened the jazz ecosystem through regeneration, collaboration and recognition of individuals who have made significant contributions to Indonesia’s music industry.
Carrying the theme ‘Sounds to the Soul’, TPJF 2026 offered an experience that went beyond a conventional music festival. Over two days, thousands of visitors enjoyed a wide range of programmes across six stages, each with its own unique character. Notably, approximately 70 per cent of this year’s festival programme remained jazz-focused, making TPJF one of the few festivals to continue placing jazz at the core of its identity.
Jazz performances were not confined to a single stage. Musicians and jazz ensembles could be found throughout the festival grounds, including Barry Likumahuwa, Andre Dinuth, Tommy Pratomo, Balawan, Rafi Sudirman, SimakDialog and Funky Journal, alongside emerging talents nurtured through The Papandayan International Online Jazz Competition (TPJC). Together, they showcased the broad spectrum of jazz currently thriving in Indonesia.
What truly set TPJF 2026 apart, however, was its commitment to presenting exclusive programmes that could not be found elsewhere. Approximately 60 per cent of this year’s performances featured collaborations, creating unique artistic experiences while bringing together different generations and musical approaches in a shared creative space. Highlights included Diskoria feat. Andien, Rieka Roslan feat. Lalahuta, and The Gentlemen’s Club (Adikara, Bilal Indrajaya and Teza Sumendra) performing timeless songs by Koes Plus.
One of the festival’s standout performances was ‘A Night of Frank Sinatra’, a tribute to one of the world’s most celebrated music legends. Led by Dwiki Dharmawan, alongside the Bandung Jazz Orchestra, Dira Sugandi and Dirly Dave, the performance presented fresh interpretations of Sinatra’s classic repertoire in a grand big-band format while preserving the essence and spirit of the original works.
Meanwhile, Freedom Jazz Society feat. Rinni Wulandari offered a completely different experience through an exploration of electronic jazz infused with soul, groove and contemporary urban sounds. Featuring Greybox, Jevin Julian, Kenny Gabriel, Winky Wiryawan and Rinni Wulandari, the project became one of the festival’s most talked-about performances. Created especially for The Papandayan Jazz Fest 2026, the project marked the ensemble’s debut in this format, making it an exclusive concept never before presented at any festival or music event.
While firmly rooted in jazz, TPJF also demonstrated its openness to outstanding musicians whose artistic values align with the spirit of the festival. This year, TPJF welcomed Ruth Sahanaya and Mahalini, two vocal powerhouses from different generations, both recognised for their distinctive vocal styles and expressive interpretations.
As one of Indonesia’s most celebrated divas, Ruth Sahanaya delivered a performance rich in experience and musical maturity. With a career spanning more than three decades, her presence represented quality, consistency and dedication to Indonesian music.
Meanwhile, Mahalini brought the energy of a new generation currently shaping Indonesia’s music industry. Known for her powerful vocals and a string of hit songs beloved by younger audiences, she created one of the festival’s most emotional moments. Thousands of fans sang along to songs such as Mati-Matian, Bohongi Hati, Melawan Restu and Sisa Rasa, making her performance one of the highlights of TPJF 2026 and the festival’s most attended show.
Beyond presenting renowned artists, TPJF 2026 reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing the next generation of Indonesian jazz musicians through The Papandayan International Online Jazz Competition (TPJC). The participation of TPJC alumni and finalists across various festival stages demonstrated how the competition has evolved into an important platform for developing emerging talent within Indonesia’s music industry.
One of the most notable examples of this spirit of regeneration was Barry Likumahuwa feat. TPJC Collective. Barry, who frequently serves as a TPJC judge, revealed that his admiration for the participants’ musical abilities had inspired him to compose ‘The Pajaco Groove’, a title derived from the acronym for Papandayan Jazz Competition.
Beyond music, TPJF remained connected to Indonesia’s cultural roots. Performances by Ranggaswara Group and Swara Katresna, alongside a traditional wayang golek puppet show featuring Ki Dalang Anom Ali Bratha Sena, demonstrated how jazz can engage in a meaningful dialogue with local cultural heritage while maintaining its own identity.
One of the most memorable moments of TPJF 2026 was the presentation of the TPJF Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary Indonesian musical group BIMBO. The award recognised more than five decades of dedication and contribution to Indonesian music through works that continue to resonate across generations.
The award symbolised TPJF’s respect for the artists and cultural figures who have helped shape Indonesia’s musical history while inspiring today’s generation of musicians.
According to Bobby Renaldi, Founder of TP Jazz Management and General Manager of The Papandayan Hotel Bandung, this year’s festival reflected growing community engagement and an increasingly positive impact on the jazz ecosystem that has been cultivated over the past decade.
“We have seen increasing enthusiasm, particularly from the communities involved. Beyond that, we also see the growing value and positive impact that The Papandayan Jazz Fest brings to the ecosystem we have built,” he said.
A similar sentiment was expressed by Mohammad Mirdal Akib, CEO of Media Group, who believes that consistency remains one of the festival’s greatest strengths.
“One of the few festivals in Indonesia that remains truly jazz-focused is The Papandayan Jazz Fest. It has remained consistent since its inception, even during the COVID era when it continued to be held in an online format. Hopefully, through this event, jazz music will continue to thrive and be enjoyed by audiences of all ages across Indonesia,” he said.
More than a decade after its inception, The Papandayan Jazz Fest has evolved into much more than a music festival. It has become a meeting point for established artists and emerging talents, tradition and innovation, and jazz and other forms of musical expression. Through consistency, bold collaborations, and its commitment to regeneration and ecosystem development, TPJF 2026 once again reaffirmed its position as one of Indonesia’s most important jazz festivals—a home for jazz that continues to grow, evolve and connect with new generations of listeners.
This year’s edition was supported by Kota Baru Parahyangan, BRI, Ron88, MLD Spot and Mojang Jajaka Kota Bandung.
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