"Jazz, at its core, liberates musicians from enslavement,” said Sri Hanuraga, just before he, Kevin Yosua, and Elfa Zulham performed his interpretation of “Think of Others,” a poem by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.
Enjoying jazz amidst Mountain Ijen's fresh air and breathtaking views—what's not to love? Jazz Gunung Ijen 2024, held on August 17th at the enchanting Taman Gandrung Terakota in Banyuwangi, East Java, seamlessly blended the spirit of Indonesia's Independence Day with the soulful rhythms of jazz. This annual event has become a cultural highlight, attracting music lovers and tourists alike to experience the unique fusion of jazz and Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage.
Just before Sri Hanuraga took the stage, Aditya Ong & Quartet captivated the audience by opening the event with a progressive jazz interpretation of javanese song, 'Padang Bulan' (trans: Moonlit Field). The group plays Progressive Rock Jazz, a fusion of jazz with classical music—particularly rock—and traditional music. Consistent in their style, the Aditya Ong Quartet opened their performance with a Javanese song and concluded it with another Javanese piece: "Gundul-Gundul Pacul," a traditional javanese folk song that is often sung by children.
As the sun set and the moon rose, the enchanting Gandrung dancers took the stage to entertain the audience. This traditional dance from Banyuwangi undoubtedly sparked a sense of nationalism, perfectly in tune with Indonesia’s Independence Day.
Following that is a collaboration of Yuri Mahatma's Straight, and Stretch featuring Dian Pratiwi, who captivated the audience by opening their set with a powerful jazz arrangement of The Rolling Stones’ Paint it Black. Their set was filled with energetic, eclectic jazz renditions, successfully warming up the audience in the breezy evening air of Ijen. They closed with a lively rendition of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."
The evening culminated with a performance by the legendary songwriter and singer Indra Lesmana, whose set was nothing short of magical. The beautiful landscape of terraced rice fields and a gentle rain that night set a sentimental mood as the audience sang along to one of his famous songs, "Aku Ingin" (trans: I Wish). It was rightly followed by a tender arrangement of “Rayuan Pulau Kelapa” (trans: Solace on Coconut Island), a nostalgic Indonesian song that praises Indonesia's natural beauty and profess undying love for the country. The audience joined in, singing and waving mini Indonesian flags provided by the organizers.
The festival not only celebrated jazz as a sound of liberation, but also paid homage to Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage. The audience, a mix of locals and tourists, celebrated together, creating a shared experience that was both joyful and reflective. The timing of the event, coinciding with the nation's Independence Day, infused the performances with a sense of patriotism and pride. This year's emotional performances have set high expectations for next year, making it a must-attend event for anyone looking to experience the unique blend of jazz and nature that Banyuwangi has to offer.
For those who attended, Jazz Gunung Ijen 2024 was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of life, culture, and music in one of Indonesia’s most beautiful natural settings. Will the next Jazz Gunung Ijen live up to the expectations? This writer, for one, is certainly looking forward to it.
Keep an eye out for the next Jazz Gunung event: https://www.jazzgunung.com/.
