The 11th Ubud Village Jazz Festival (UVJF) will grace the enchanting grounds of STHALA Ubud Portfolio Hotel on August 2nd and 3rd, 2024 . They are thrilled to share that STHALA has generously stepped forward as UVJF title sponsor. This marks a significant milestone for Ubud Village Jazz Festival event, and from this year forward. Henceforth, the event will proudly be known as the STHALA Ubud Village Jazz Festival, reflecting a partnership rooted in a shared passion for music, culture, and community.
The Ubud Village Jazz Festival (UVJF) traces its roots to the small yet passionate jazz concerts and jam sessions birthed from the collaboration between Yuri Mahatma and Anom Darsana. United by a shared vision, they transformed their dream into an international jazz festival, which has been evolving for the past 11 years since its inception in 2013, with a hiatus only in 2020 due to the global pandemic. The UVJF emerged from the ambition of its creative founders, aiming to establish a high-caliber, internationally recognized festival driven entirely by Bali’s local talents. This event aspires to offer audiences enriching educational experiences, profound inspiration, and a deeper appreciation for jazz.
“Our Festival is far beyond business-as-usual. Because for us, commitment in terms of quality always comes first.” said Anom Darsana.
“UVJF is a platform to express our strong commitments of ideas and concept. And that’s what makes us very unique.” assumed Yuri Mahatma.
Denys Cennet Planchard from Alliance Française Bali eloquently expressed, “Our aim is to foster sustainable connections between French and Indonesian musicians. This collaboration not only strengthens ties within Indonesia but also bridges our cultural exchange with France, honoring our long-standing history together. We are immensely grateful to the entire UVJF team in Indonesia. We receive numerous music proposals, but they often remain one-time events. Yet, when collaborating within a robust network, the connections we create endure, ensuring a legacy of ongoing cooperation.”
One of the distinctive features of UVJF is its steadfast commitment to showcasing jazz music exclusively, making it the only jazz festival in Indonesia of its kind.
“We need to always educate people and reintroduce jazz. Jazz is a form of music that takes a certain level of appreciation from the audience to enjoy” Yuri Mahatma, who is also a jazz musician explain.
Furthermore, he adds, “As for a jazz musician, the essence of jazz is freedom through improvisations. Improvisation means interpretation. To be able to interpret, we need to literate ourselves of some topics such as its history, philosophy etc. There’s no way one can claim himself a jazz musician just because he can play some fancy licks. And this essence can be analogised life in general”.
“Jazz is complex and sophisticated, but it’s still a music. Not a math nor rocket science. It must keep the emotional related with its audiences”, added Anom.
The UVJF 2024 artists’ line-up comprises exceptional talents hailing from both domestic and international backgrounds:
Adien Fazmail Quinteto (Indonesia), Benny Irawan Trio (Indonesia), Claude Diallo with Indra Gupta and Gustu Brahmanta (Switzerland-Indonesia), Collective Harmony (Indonesia), Eric Chong Trio with Kanhaiya (Hongkong-Indonesia), FAWR (Indonesia), Galaxy Bigband (Indonesia), Jazz Centrum (Indonesia), New Centropezn (Russia), Noe Clerc Trio (France), Rodrigo Parejo Quartet (Spain – Indonesia), Simone Prattico Trio (Italy, Uwe Plath Quartet (Germany), Zagorski-Skowronski Project feat. Kajetan Galas (Poland)
The UVJF event stands out for its exceptional jazz music, top-notch audio quality, and impressive venue layout, making it a highly anticipated event. Uwe Plath, one of the musicians, remarked, “Coming from a German big band, I feel like a representative of a European country and an ambassador. I’m delighted to be here again after seven years.” The originality of the venue design, crafted by the UVJF architect team led by Klick Swantara Putra and Diana Surya (CEO of Archimetriz) will undoubtedly leave attendees in awe.
In addition to delighting in the exceptional jazz performances, attendees will also have the opportunity to indulge in a variety of culinary offerings and beverages provided by local vendors, adding to the overall experience for our esteemed guests.
Tickets can be acquired either through the festival’s official website (www.ubudvillagejazzfestival.com) or in person at the event venue during the designated festival dates. Complimentary admission for children under the age of 12 when accompanied by a parent or adult.