 2025 has officially crowned its winners. Blue Matter Trio from Yogyakarta took the top spot in the Youth Jazz Category, while Kinematics from Japan dominated the Jazz Warrior Category, proving that jazz continues to evolve with fresh energy and creativity.){kind=link}
After an intense showdown of talent and passion, The Papandayan International Jazz Competition (TPJC) 2025 has officially crowned its winners. Blue Matter Trio from Yogyakarta took the top spot in the Youth Jazz Category, while Kinematics from Japan dominated the Jazz Warrior Category, proving that jazz continues to evolve with fresh energy and creativity.
This year’s competition was a mix of virtual and live performances, with online preliminary and semifinal rounds leading up to a high-energy grand final at The Papandayan Hotel on May 22, 2025. Out of countless hopefuls, ten finalists across two categories delivered their best, impressing judges and audiences alike with their skill, originality, and stage presence.
It was a night of electrifying rhythms, bold improvisations, and unforgettable performances—just the way jazz should be.
Youth Jazz Category Finalists (under 23 years old):
- Jazztronomy (Semarang, Indonesia)
- ITB Jazz (Bandung, Indonesia)
- Naraya Trio (Jaten, Karanganyar, Indonesia) – 3rd Place
- Nusanta Quartet (North Bekasi, Indonesia)
- Blue Matter Trio (Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia) – 1st Place
- Contento (Semarang, Indonesia)
- Masiki Tacari (Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia) – 2nd Place
Jazz Warrior Category Finalists (23 years and above):
- Benn Yapari Quintet (Tangerang, Indonesia) – 2nd Place
- Gitabumi Singers (Jakarta, Indonesia)
- Kinematics (Aichi, Japan) – 1st Place
The judging panel consisted of acclaimed Indonesian musicians Barry Likumahuwa, Nita Aartsen, Venche Manuhutu, and Hari Pochang, along with international judges Henk Kraaijeveld from the Netherlands and Kostas Patsiotis from Greece. Each finalist performed two pieces: one required composition and one original. In the Youth category, the required piece was “Di Bawah Sinar Bulan Purnama,” popularized by Sundari Soekotjo, while the Warrior category finalists were required to perform “Bubuy Bulan” by Benny Korda.
The winners expressed their appreciation for TPJC 2025:
“It’s such a big honor for me, Aristo, and Raffael to receive first place in The Papandayan Jazz Competition 2025 for Youth Category. We’ve learned so much throughout this competition, and we’re really glad we formed this trio. Thank you to the judges, organizers, and everyone behind TPJC 2025. Also, shout out to our friends who were a huge help, especially those who supported our audio production and lent me their guitar and pedals,”
– Marvel, Blue Matter Trio
“It was a very fun and exciting competition. I was deeply inspired by the respect for jazz and the bold creativity of the participants, from the youth to the warrior bands. Arranging Bubuy Bulan was a big challenge—I poured all my ideas and emotion into the melody. The judges’ comments also touched me deeply. I look forward to meeting everyone at The Papandayan Jazz Festival. Thank you all so much,”– Hirosato, Kinematics
This year’s Papandayan International Jazz Competition (TPJC) 2025 didn’t just showcase incredible talent—it also rewarded it generously. Blue Matter Trio from Yogyakarta and Kinematics from Japan, crowned champions in their respective categories, each walked away with IDR 25,000,000 in prize money. Second-place winners secured IDR 20,000,000, while Naraya Trio, placing third in the Youth Jazz Category, earned IDR 10,000,000.
Adding a special touch to the night, judges awarded Maximiliano Jayden of Naraya Trio the “Best New Talent” award for his outstanding flute performance, earning him IDR 5,000,000. Beyond the cash prizes, winners received gold-plated trophies and certificates of recognition, cementing their status among rising jazz stars.
The celebration doesn’t end here—Blue Matter Trio and Kinematics will take the spotlight on the main stage at The Papandayan Jazz Fest (TPJF) 2025, happening this October in Bandung. With the energy of their winning performances still fresh, these rising stars are ready to bring the magic of jazz to an even bigger stage.
“The TP Jazz International Online Competition is a reflection of TP Jazz Management’s commitment to elevating Indonesia to the global jazz scene. This year’s event welcomed participants from six continents and featured both Indonesian and international judges. Since the competition’s inception in 2021, the top prize had consistently gone to Indonesian groups—something that makes us proud and confident in the strong spirit and outstanding quality of our participants and finalists each year,”– Bobby Renaldi, General Manager of The Papandayan and Founder of TP Jazz Management
Five years in, TPJC has grown into a global jazz phenomenon, attracting musicians from across the world eager to test their artistry in a cutting-edge competition. With its dynamic hybrid format bridging the digital and live performance realms, this year’s event promises to be bigger than ever. The 2025 edition, presented by The Papandayan Jazz Management, thrives with the backing of Erasmus Huis (the Dutch Cultural Center), Blue Bird, Golden Bird, RON 88, and Bank BTN—making it a stage where the future of jazz comes to life.
Culture Meet Jazz – The Papandayan Jazz Festival
