SFG and Smoove Win the 6th Papandayan International Online Jazz Competition 2026

BANDUNG – The Papandayan International Online Jazz Competition (TPJC) 2026 successfully completed its sixth edition. The competition, which brings together jazz talents from across borders, named SFG from Jakarta and Smoove from Yogyakarta as the overall winners in their respective categories. TPJC 2026 underscored its role as a platform for musical culture exchange with the participation of dozens of musicians from across Indonesian cities, from Jakarta to Surakarta. Not only domestically, this year’s competition also attracted international entrants from India, Italy, Kenya, Thailand, and the United States. Tight competition occurred in two main categories: the Youth Category highlighting young talent, and the Warrior Category showcasing high professionalism in exploring jazz fusion to ethnic jazz. Winners of the Youth Jazz Category: Pemenang Kategori Youth Jazz (not listed in the article). Winners of the Jazz Warrior Category: Pemenang Kategori Jazz Warrior (not listed in the article). In addition to the group title, the judges named Steven Ryan Priatna, the keyboardist from SFG, as Best New Talent. Veteran musician Barry Likumahuwa praised Steven’s technical maturity at a very young age and predicted a bright future for him in the jazz industry. The competition’s quality was upheld by a panel of esteemed judges, including Dwiki Dharmawan, Barry Likumahuwa, Sri Hanuraga, Hari Pochang, Venche Manuhutu, and Carolina Brusse of the Netherlands. Finalists were tested by performing a compulsory piece and an original composition that explored each participant’s musical identity. Benz Rio Manurung of Smoove expressed pride at this achievement: “Becoming TPJC 2026 winners is a great honour. Thank you to the judging panel for this space of expression. May the Indonesian jazz scene become healthier and more supportive.” He added. Similarly, Steven from SFG (now named Disorganize) expressed gratitude for the platform TP Jazz provided: “Thanks to this competition, SFG could be formed. We hope jazz music becomes more popular and that this tradition lives on forever,” he said. As a token of appreciation, winners receive a cash prize, a gold-plated trophy, certificates, and a golden opportunity to perform on the TP Papandayan Jazz Fest (TPJF) 2026 stage alongside national and international jazz musicians. Bobby Renaldi, General Manager of The Papandayan and Founder of TP Jazz Management, emphasised that TPJC has become “A Beacon of Jazz” from Bandung to the world. “This year again we have seen the quality and spirit of musicianship. This proves TPJC is not merely a competition, but a platform for cultural exchange that strengthens Indonesia’s position on the international jazz map,” he said. Managed by The Papandayan Bandung and Media Group, TP Jazz is committed to developing jazz potential in Indonesia through ongoing programmes such as TP Jazz Weekend and the annual The Papandayan Jazz Fest, now entering its 11th year. TP Jazz is the event management arm for jazz music programmes held at The Papandayan Bandung and Media Group since 2013. A string of renowned jazz musicians have performed at TP Jazz events (both national and international), which led Bandung’s Mayor Muhammad Farhan to declare TP Jazz as “A Beacon of Jazz, from Bandung to The World”. TP Jazz embodies a philosophy to facilitate and develop jazz potential in Bandung, with the aim of encouraging Bandung as a centre for musicians and ensembles that can bring Indonesia to the international stage. TP Jazz conducts well-planned and ongoing annual activities—from TP Jazz Weekend, Monthly Special Performance, Road to The Papandayan Jazz Fest (TPJF), International Online Jazz Competition, to the annual The Papandayan Jazz Fest now in its 11th year. In addition to managing music programmes and band performances, TP Jazz also coordinates with other jazz-centric events, such as international online jazz competitions, jazz markets, jazz news, jazz master classes, and jazz for youth. It is hoped that all TP Jazz programme activities, backed by sponsors, will become a hub for musicians, a venue for appreciation and creativity, and a music-tourism destination in Bandung, forming one of Indonesia’s national music event agendas.