Back again this coming August, The Ubud Village Jazz Festival will be held on the 16th & 17th at the Arma Museum garden with some shady areas around the perimeter. Bringing another host of exciting acts to Ubud, celebrating the huge range of styles and sub-genres that Jazz music and the art of improvisation encompass, the 2019 edition will feature, as always, international and local casts ranging across all category of jazz.
CERTAINLY! INDONESIA is the tagline of Ubud Village Jazz Festival (UVJF) this year which aligned with the 74th Celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day, bringing up the spirit of optimism of a better Indonesia ahead.
Since the first edition in 2013, UVJF target is to be an eco-friendly festival, and this year will be even more than ever. “Supporting the ban on single-use plastic to the heart of the city, during this prominent festival, is one of the many ways we give back to the community and take action to care for our environment,” said Anom Darsana, co-founder of the festival.
Besides the volunteers’ community from Ubud and beyond, nothing will be possible without the firm support of the Ubud Royal Family, towards who we are extremely grateful, as we are for the patronage of The Dinas Pariwisata Provinsi Bali, Dinas Pariwisata Gianyar , Ministry of Tourism of The Republic of Indonesia and Bali Airport.
Involving more than 8 countries, the UVJF will feature an eclectic array of performers across varied styles and generations from jazz legends, new artists to the scene and those at the height of their careers, once again creating one-of-a-kind stage not seen anywhere else. With musicians from Indonesia, Germany, Russia, The Netherlands, Poland, Australia, Austria, France, South Korea, UVJF has grown to become one of Bali’s most important cultural and community events, gaining serious reputation across the globe and the jazz stratosphere. To help us keep up the upscale standard, we receive tremendous encouragement and assistance from various international organisations such as the Embassy of Austria, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Institut Français d’Indonésie and Goethe-Institute, enabling us to produce a major universal jazz celebration.
The stellar lineup promises the best in jazz—from traditional to contemporary and fusion, funk, smooth jazz, Latin jazz plus rhythm & blues—genres for every jazz lover. To name a few from Indonesia’s Jazz scene, we are thrilled to announce the presence of distinguished talents like the award-winning Sri Hanuraga Trio feat. Dira Sugandi, the funky-swing duo Yance Manusama & Otti Jamalus, saxophonist Anggi Harahap, the 18-piece HajarBleh Big Band from Jakarta, the voice of Surabaya native Nancy Ponto. Coming back for your great pleasure are the Eurasian Quartet featuring Dian Pratiwi, and our co-founder and mentor, Yuri Mahatma with his project “Straight and Stretch”, Canadian Drummer who has resides in Bali for long time, Yvon Thieabault “Perpectives”, Kopi Jazz Kediri, Jazz community from Kediri, East Java. From the young generation, we have Jacob Jayasena, 13 years old pianist along with young female pianist, Nadine.
International jazz will be represented by critically acclaimed Aaron Goldberg Trio (with Matt Penman and Leon Parker) from the USA, South Korean Pete Jung Quartet, Michaela Rabitsch & R. Pawlik Quartet supported by the Austrian Embassy, Harry Mitchell Trio, Arcing Wires, and Caleb Fortuin with the Bali Mates (Future Leaders Jazz Award Winner) from Australia. From Russia Ilugdin Trio and New Centropezn Quartet, and, with the support of the Institut Francais d’Indonesie, Voyager 4.
“The jazz tradition in Bali is iconic and get to be known worldwide. Today, it’s a vibrant scene that is constantly evolving and growing and our Festival continues to nurture and support it,” said Anom Darsana. “With these wonderful musicians from all over the world, we are taking the jazz music to a new level in Ubud. And, once again, we hope the Festival transcends the music itself and gets people up here to see and experience Ubud’s distinct flavour. We look forward to adding to Bali’s jazz history and an Independence Day weekend to remember.”
UVJF is expected to draw more than 5,000 people over the two-day event and the experience is more than music. The design of the festival in the city centre allows festivalgoers to feel and to explore the “bohemian” atmosphere at downtown Ubud, strolling through streets full of restaurants and cafés, shops, art galleries and many more. Visitors also can take advantage of the local & International savoir-faire, as the festival will have about 30 booths, offering local product/handicrafts, music instrument exhibition, merchandise, food and drinks from some of the best spots/brand of the city and Bali.
“We believe art and cultural events have a direct correlation to a city’s ability to attract new visitors, define a sense of place and community, and contribute to the development of local skills and industries,” said Yuri Mahatma. “The Ubud community is extremely important to us and we’re proud to contribute by boosting the local economy and strengthen the vitality of the region.”
One week before UVJF, there will be series of Pre Events at several venues all around Bali, such as Movenpick Resort, Rumah Luwih, Tanjung Sari, Vincent’s Candi Dasa, Sthala Tribute Port Folio Hotel, Plataran Ubud, Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK Bali), Bridges, Aryaduta Bali, Bale Tudor, Wu Wei Resorts starting one week before the main event.
Also some workshops from the performers at Institute Art of Indonesia Denpasar (ISI Denpasar) on 15 August.
This event is also supported by Bank Mandiri. Get 10% discount for every purchase of online tickets and special discount for passenger with Thai Airways Boarding Pass/Royal Orchid Plus and FREE Flow Sangria for 1 hour by Plaga Wine.
For more information, full schedule and line-up of Ubud Village Jazz Festival, visit our website www.ubudvillagejazzfestival.com
