Jazz Gunung Bromo 2023 will run from July 21 to 22 at the Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo Ampitheatre in Probolinggo, East Java, which has a daily capacity of 2,000 spectators. The list of performers includes legendary Indonesian musicians from across the generations who are known for their consistently phenomenal work that resonate with the times.

Jazz Gunung Bromo is committed to presenting ethno jazz from year to year to encourage the regeneration of musicians through solo performances and cross-genre collaborations.

"This year, the 15th edition of Jazz Gunung Bromo will be held. Our commitment is to not only provide a space to appreciate jazz musicians across the generations, but also contribute to tourism and the creative economy," Sigit Pramono, the founder of organizer Jazz Gunung Indonesia (JGI), told a press conference at Institut Français Indonesia (IFI) in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 13.

JGI has also been making efforts to revive the culture, music and tourism sectors toward post-pandemic recovery. Last year, the event organizer initiated Jazz in The Valley in Bandung, West Java, in collaboration with The GAIA Hotel Bandung.

Jazz Gunung Bromo 2023 will be followed by the second edition of Jazz in The Valley will be held in Bandung in August, and then in September with Jazz Gunung Ijen in Banyuwangi, East Java.

JGI is planning to create similar events at geographical landmarks in other regions, including Samosir Island in North Sumatra, Mount Burangrang in Bandung, Mount Slamet in Semarang, Central Java.

JGI founder Butet Kartaredjasa says the Jazz Gunung series always brings something different compared to other music events.

"Every Jazz Gunung event always arouses curiosity. The spontaneity and madness in playing jazz, the collaboration between musicians,” Butet told Tuesday’s press conference.

“The founders of the event, Mas [Mr.] Sigit, Mas Bintang and Dewa Budjana have built this event with sensitivity toward local ethnic values and traditional Indonesian culture. That's what sets Jazz Gunung apart from other jazz events. The curiosity it evokes always tempts the audience to come back to Jazz Gunung," he said.

Some of the legendary musicians gearing up to play at Jazz Gunung Bromo 2023 include Ermy Kullit, Mus Mudjiono, Atiek CB and Margie Segers, who are known for their oeuvre and live performances.

Meanwhile, Ardhito Pramono, Yura Yunita, Deredia, Denny Caknan, Indonesian Idol 2023 winner Salma Salsabil, Daniel Dyonisius and Yongkeys make up the strong roster of young musicians who have their own styles.

The collaboration segment will feature the Ring of Fire Project and Blue Fire Project by Bintang Indrianto, which have become a regular event highlight in showcasing unique musical collaborations found only at Jazz Gunung.

Organizers are offering discounted prices for two-day passes, as well as for first-day ticket purchases.

Tickets are available at jazzgunung.com, starting at Rp 550,000 for a single-day pass in Tribune Class, Rp 1 million for VIP and Rp 2 million for VVIP. Prices for the two-day pass start at Rp 850,000 for Tribune Class, Rp 1.7 million for VIP and Rp 3.7 million for VVIP.

Jazz Gunung is fully supported by Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga S. Uno.

The minister told reporters on Tuesday that as a tourism and creative event, Jazz Gunung helped empower local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"Another important aspect of this event, which targets 5,000 spectators, includes the invitation of 10 music groups and musicians and the involvement of 115 local MSMEs in Bromo,” Sandiaga said.

“This is in line with the Proud Tourism program in Indonesia, which aims to attract 1.4 billion domestic tourists and stimulate MSME growth, leading to more jobs. Jazz Gunung has proven that the performing arts industry can not only survive, but also thrive," he said.

This year’s Jazz Gunung Bromo will also be enlivened with the opening of Rumah Batik Afifah, Rumah Dokumentasi Batik Batang dan Pesisiran (Batang and Pesisiran Batik documentation house) and Batik Market, as well as a national batik fair. Other batik-themed events include "Learning Batik with Pak Dudung" and the Batik Conversation with Rifaiyah and Pesisiran, along with Dudung Alie Syahbana from Maestro Batik Pekalongan and Miftahkhutin from Pembatik Batang Rifaiyah, with host Rumah Batik Afifah founder Sigit Pramono.

The appearance of Indonesian Idol winner Salma Salsabil, a native of Probolinggo, has motivated Jazz Gunung Bromo to extend its appreciation for the people of East Java, offering the Jazz Gunung experience as a bridge to learning about and connecting to others through jazz music. Jazz Gunung Bromo also encourages the people of Probolinggo to pursue a career in music, like Salma.

Performers and music lovers have shown high enthusiasm for the return of Jazz Gunung Bromo, with Tribune and VIP passes selling out by the second day of ticket sales.

The high enthusiasm from music enthusiasts and the local community has been a catalyst for Bank Central Asia (BCA) to continue its support for the event held in the vicinity of Mount Bromo. Hera F. Haryn, Executive Vice President of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility at BCA, said the bank and Jazz Gunung Bromo shared similar values, particularly in its commitment to preserving local cultures and empowering communities.

"We have a BCA service program aimed at preserving the national culture. That is one of our shared values that intersect with contributing toward the Sustainable Development Goals,” Hera said at Tuesday’s press conference.

“We also want to support the government's program to be proud of tourism in Indonesia, especially after the pandemic when local tourism has suffered. From these events, we want to continue being present with the community to revive local tourism, because Jazz Gunung has an impact on the people around Bromo," she said.

Jazz Gunung Bromo is included on the tourism ministry’s National Calendar of Events. During the pandemic, the music festival proved its adaptability and the significant impact it has on the local economy.

Through its 2023 edition, Jazz Gunung Bromo is ready to contribute again to Indonesia’s tourism and economy by revitalizing the tourism and creative economy sectors, including hotels, restaurants, vendors, car rental agencies and other tourism-related industries in the Probolinggo area.

Jazz Gunung Bromo 2023 is sponsored by BCA, the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry, Jiwa Jawa Resort Bromo, Java Banana, Eiger Adventure and Jaringan Prima. It is also supported by IFI, AJC, Erasmus Huis, Padepokan Seni Sarana Netra, the East Java provincial administration, the Probolinggo regency administration and Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.

Jazz Gunung Indonesia is a member of the Indonesian Jazz Forum and the Association of Indonesian Music Promoters.