BANDUNG– The Papandayan International Online Jazz Competition (TPJC) 2026 has once again been successfully held as a prestigious jazz competition event that brings together young talents and professional musicians from various regions and countries.

Entering its sixth year, TPJC continues to grow into a competition platform and a space for musical cultural exchange that strengthens the existence of Indonesian jazz on the international stage.

This year, TPJC featured highly competitive contests through two main categories: the Youth Category and the Warrior Category. Participant enthusiasm was evident in the diversity of musical backgrounds, arrangement approaches, and jazz genre explorations presented by each participant.

TPJC 2026 was participated in by dozens of groups and musicians from various cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Bekasi, Depok, Malang, Bantul, Kuningan, and Surakarta. Not only that, this year’s competition also included international participants from India, Italy, Kenya, Thailand, and the United States, further strengthening TPJC’s position as a jazz competition with international attention.

The judging atmosphere for the Youth Category was very dynamic and full of enthusiasm. The judges admitted to being amazed by the quality of musicianship of the participants who performed at very young ages. Many new talents showed mature instrumental skills, full of technique, and possessed strong musical characters and courage in improvisation.

Meanwhile, the competition in the Warrior Category was very tight with evenly matched musical quality. The finalists performed with high professionalism and creativity in presenting unique and diverse jazz genres. Each group presented different musical interpretations, ranging from jazz fusion, latin jazz, modern jazz to ethnic jazz explorations that showcased the musical identity of each band.

After going through an intense and thorough judging process, here are the winners of The Papandayan International Online Jazz Competition 2026:

Youth Jazz Category Winners

  • 1st Place : SFG (Jakarta, Indonesia)
  • 2nd Place : SnD (Jakarta, Indonesia)
  • 3rd Place : Sea Dreams (Jakarta, Indonesia)

Jazz Warrior Category Winners

  • 1st Place : Smoove (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
  • 2nd Place : Dadaks (Bantul, Indonesia)

In addition to the main categories, the judges also awarded the Best New Talent award to Steven Ryan Priatna, a keyboardist from the SFG group. Barry Likumahuwa, as one of the judges, shared his opinion regarding this, stating that the award was given because his instrumental playing ability was considered very mature at a very young age. The judges see Steven as a young musician with a bright future and great potential to grow in the jazz music industry going forward.

The judging process for TPJC 2026 involved a series of renowned jazz musicians and practitioners, both from Indonesia and internationally, namely Dwiki Dharmawan, Barry Likumahuwa, Sri Hanuraga, Hari Pochang, Venche Manuhutu, and Carolina Brusse from the Netherlands. The presence of these judges provided a broad musical perspective in assessing the technical quality, creativity, improvisation, and interpretation of the finalists towards the works performed.

In the grand final of TPJC 2026, each finalist performed two compositions consisting of one compulsory song and one original song. The participants’ performances showcased the quality of musicianship, improvisational creativity, and courage in exploring the musical identity of each band.

A representative of the 1st place winner in the Jazz Warrior category expressed their enthusiasm after winning TPJC 2026.

“Winning TPJC 2026 is a surprise and a great honor for us. We also want to express our deepest gratitude to the entire TPJC 2026 committee for this incredible platform and event organization. Thank you also to the jury board for the appreciation, energy, and space for us to express ourselves. Hopefully, the Indonesian Jazz music scene will be more supportive, relaxed, and also healthier & cooler in the future,” said Benz Rio Manurung from Smoove.

Meanwhile, a representative of the

Papandayan

Papandayan is an active stratovolcano located in West Java, Indonesia, known for its dramatic landscape and geothermal activity. Its most significant historical eruption occurred in 1772, which devastated surrounding villages and reshaped the mountain’s crater. Today, it is a popular hiking destination, offering visitors views of sulfur vents, hot springs, and a unique “dead forest” of trees killed by volcanic gases.

Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia, located on the northwest coast of Java. Originally a small port town called Sunda Kelapa, it was renamed Batavia by the Dutch in the 17th century and served as the colonial capital of the Dutch East Indies for over 300 years. After Indonesia’s independence in 1945, the city was officially renamed Jakarta and has since grown into a sprawling, densely populated metropolis that serves as the country’s political, economic, and cultural center.

Bandung

Bandung, the capital of West Java, Indonesia, is a city known for its cool climate, colonial architecture, and vibrant arts scene. Historically, it gained prominence during the Dutch colonial era as a planned hill station, and later hosted the historic 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, which solidified its role in the global Non-Aligned Movement. Today, Bandung is a popular destination for its blend of natural beauty, shopping, and cultural heritage.

Surabaya

Surabaya is Indonesia’s second-largest city and the capital of East Java, known for its key role in the country’s independence struggle. Its name derives from the Javanese words for “shark” and “crocodile,” referencing a legendary battle between the two creatures. The city is famously home to the Heroes Monument, commemorating the fierce Battle of Surabaya in 1945, which galvanized Indonesian resistance against colonial forces.

Semarang

Semarang is the capital city of Central Java, Indonesia, with a history deeply rooted in its role as a major colonial-era port for the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The city features a well-preserved Old Town (Kota Lama), known for its Dutch colonial architecture, and is also home to the iconic Sam Poo Kong temple, reflecting its significant Chinese cultural heritage. Today, Semarang serves as a bustling economic hub, blending Javanese, Chinese, and European influences.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is a vibrant city on the Indonesian island of Java, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and as a center of classical Javanese arts and traditions. Historically, it served as the capital of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta and played a key role in Indonesia’s struggle for independence in the 1940s. The city is also the gateway to the famous 9th-century Buddhist temple Borobudur and the Hindu temple complex Prambanan.

Bekasi

Bekasi is a city in West Java, Indonesia, with a history dating back to the 5th century as part of the Tarumanagara Kingdom. It later became a key site during the Indonesian National Revolution, where the Battle of Bekasi took place in 1945. Today, it is a rapidly developing satellite city of Jakarta, known for its industrial growth and urban expansion.

Depok

Depok is a city in West Java, Indonesia, known as a satellite city of Jakarta with a history dating back to the 18th century when it was established as a private estate by Cornelis Chastelein, a Dutch colonial landowner. Chastelein freed his slaves and granted them land, leading to the development of a unique Christian community and the city’s name, which is derived from the Sundanese word for “hermitage” or “quiet place.” Today, Depok is a rapidly growing urban center, home to the University of Indonesia and a diverse population, blending its historical roots with modern development.