Java Jazz Festival
Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival (JJF), the brainchild of Indonesian jazz aficionado and businessman Peter F. Gontha, is an annual jazz event held in Jakarta, Indonesia in early March. Since its conception in 2005, the event has become one of most prestigious jazz events, not only in Indonesia, but also in the world. Organized by PT Java Festival Production, the event takes place at Jakarta Convention Center, a modern facility vast in size and also connected with the 5-star Sultan Hotel (formerly known as Jakarta Hilton International). Adopting the motto “Bringing the World to Indonesia”, the event has succeeded in highlighting Indonesia, especially its capital Jakarta, as a safe and exciting tourist destination, especially for music lovers. The festival offers more than 200 shows daily during the 3-day stretch. Although the festival is dedicated to jazz genre, it is quite common to find other genres, including pop, soul, R&B, blues, hip hop, rock, electronic, gospel and world/ethnic music, showcased on the festival’s many stages. Furthermore, the festival also cultivates collaborations between Indonesian and international stars; it even went so far to ensure that such program is an agenda. In addition to further emphasize its “Bringing the World to Indonesia” motto the festival, with the support of embassies in Indonesia, presents various, sometimes new, talents from the corners of the world.
Some renowned musicians who have performed at Java Jazz Festival include:
Amp Fiddler, Angie Stone, Deodato, DJ IZO, DJ Maestro, Earth Wind and Fire Experience Featuring Al Mckay All Stars, Eric Benet, Galaxy Jazz Big Band (Japan), George Duke, Gilles Peterson, Incognito, James Brown, Jeff Kashiwa, Jeff Lorber, Laura Fygi, Lizz Wright, Michael Paulo, Michelle Nicolle, Saskia Laroo, Steve Reid, Tania Maria, Tetsuo Sakurai, Tiempo Libre, Vinny Valentino,Ad Colen Quartet, Adani & Wolf Group, Asianergy feat. Jack Lee, Bob James, Nathan East, Lewis Pragasam, Bob James and Angels of Shanghai, Bob James Quintet: Nathan East, Jack Lee, Lewis Pragasam, Dave McMurray, Brand New Heavies, Carleen Anderson, Chiara Cevello, Daniel Martina, Daniel Sahuleka Solo, Daniela Schachter, Dave Koz Rendezvous Allstars feat. Indonesian Idols, Dave Koz Rendezvous Allstars feat. Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Wayman Tisdale, Gerald Albright, Dennis Rollins' Badbone & Co, Doug Cameron & Friends, Eric Benet, Gerald Albright, Harri Stojka, Hiromi, Incognito, Jeff Lorber and Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Kool And The Gang, Lee Ritenour, Luis Giraldo, Marc de Clive Lowe, Masada, Mezzoforte, Michael Lington & Magenta Orchestra feat Jeff Lorber Special Guest Eric Benet, Shakila & Harvey Malaiholo, Michael Paulo, Negroni's Trio, Noryn Aziz, Omar, Patti Austin feat. Dave Koz, Peter White & Michael Paolo Band, Raphael Gualazzi Trio, Relax, Rendevouz All Star feat Jonathan Butler, Kirk whalum, Wayman Tisdale, Rick Braun, Take 6, Tetsuo Sakurai, Tortured Soul, Tots Tolentino, Tower of Power, Vikter Duplaix, Vinny Valentino, Youn Sun Nah supported by Centre Culturel Francais de Jakarta, 5-Essence ft John Hondorp,Jan Wessels, Adam Klipple, Airto Moreira & Flora Purim, Austin Peralta, Black Diamonds, Brian Simpson, Chaka Khan, Daughters of Soul feat. Lalah Hathaway, Nona Hendryx, Indira Khan, Dave Weckl, David Benoit, Deniece Williams, Diane Schuur, Djanecy, Eldar, Eric Legnini Trio, Eric Marienthal, Frank McComb, Freddie Washington, Gino Vannelli, Hipstones, Jamie Cullum, Jeff Lorber, Jeffrey Osborne, John Scofield, Jorge Diaz, Kenny Rankin, Kiki Ebsen, Kimiko Itoh, Koji Goto, Kyle Eastwood, Larry Franco, Level 42, Lica Cecato, Lisa Ono, Marcus Miller, Maurice Rugebregt "Sioh Maluku", Michael Paulo, Omar Sosa, Reel People, Richard Bona, Rick Braun, Ron Carter, Sadao Watanabe, Sam McNally, Sergio Mendes, SF Jazz Collective ft Joshua Redman,Bobby Hutcherson,Dave Douglas, Shapes, Steve Thornton, Tony Monaco, Tortured Soul, Vikter Duplaix, Yosuke Onuma, Harvey Mason,Atilia, Attwenger, Bobby Caldwell, Brian Simpson, Chico & The Gypsies, Coda (Australia), D'Sound, Dhafer Youssef, Duo - Gabriel Grossi e Daniel Santiago, Dwiki Dharmawan´s `World Peace Project` feat. W. Reyes, R. Burn, Tollak, S. Thornton, Eric Darius, Everette Harp, Franco D'Andrea Quartet, Gary Anthony, George Clinton 'Funkadelic', Greg Adams, Gregg Karukas, Harvey Mason, Incognito, James Ingram, Jammin Zeb, Jane Project, Jeff Kashiwa, Jody Watley, Joe Sample & The Crusaders feat. Steve Gadd, Julien Wilson Trio, Kazumi Watanabe, Kenny 'BABYFACE' Edmonds, Kristin Berardi, Kurt Elling, Marc Antoine, Mike Nock Trio, Najee, Omar Sosa, Raul Midon, Ray Parker Jr., Renee Olstead, Ron King, Sara Gazarek, Terumasa Hino, The Manhattan Transfer, Tineke Postma, Tony Monaco and Triba.