JakJazz started out deep in debt
By Achmad Nurhoeri
JAKARTA (JP): JakJazz took the stage for the first time in 1988. Ireng Maulana erected stages around the Ancol Dreamland Recreation Center, North Jakarta, including at the now closed drive-in movie theater.
More than 150 jazz musicians from 14 countries showed up and dazzled more than 12,000 spectators over three days.
Indonesia finally had its very own jazz festival, a major accomplishment. But it had its price: it put Ireng deeply in debt.
Businesswoman Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, President Soeharto's oldest daughter, saved the day. "She provided Rp 600 million then," said Ireng.
It took three years for Ireng to pull off the second show. It was more ambitious than the first, lasting seven days in November 1991.
Unfortunately, it was still not a profitable investment. Ireng had to pitch in here and there by selling off his properties. In 1993, he sold his prized land in West Jakarta.
The third through fifth JakJazzes were sponsored by the Sampoerna cigarette company. They were held each year from 1993- 1995 at Senayan Sports Complex, Central Jakarta.
Although Ireng had a major sponsor, funds were still not enough to cover expenses. He had to scramble to make ends meet. In 1995, Ireng even considered putting to rest his dream.
In 1996, he received a prod from the gigantic conglomerate Bakrie Group. One of its subsidiaries, Bakrie Pesona Rasuna, was willing to help Ireng.
For the first time, the renovated Sumantri Brodjonegoro Sport Complex, a Bakrie project, became the venue for JakJazz.
The preparation frenzy started just 26 days before D-day last December. Still, an audience of 30,000 showed up for the three- day event. They were brave enough to step out onto the site, a hockey field which became a waterlogged mud pit by the end. Other venues used were Sumantri's soccer field and indoor halls.
Costs this year increased from the estimated Rp 2 billion due to the depreciation of the rupiah.
Thanks to media mogul and jazz aficionado Peter Gontha, who has poured in capital for the event, organizers might not end up sinking in financially troubled waters.
Its success will be for the audience to decide. Big names, cheap tickets. Go see for yourself.