(Antara)

The Java Jazz Festival may be over for another year but those still craving their jazz fix can continue the party in a café or bar, or at occasional jazz events in the capital. From amateur nights to performances by established musicians, here are five places in Jakarta where the delights of jazz music can be enjoyed.

Komunitas Cafe

Tucked away in a hidden spot within a commercial complex in Fatmawati, South Jakarta, the Komunitas Café and Jazz Bar usually holds monthly jazz performances and open mic nights one Saturday per month. The café'€™s next event will be on March 22.

The performers are usually either established musicians or the young members of the city'€™s jazz community holding jam sessions. Such musicians who have played at the café'€™s jazz nights include guitarist Totong Wicaksono and singer Imelda Rosalin. Aside from these monthly nights, the café occasionally holds acoustic events.

When an event is not taking place at the café, its location can serve as a tranquil refuge from the hustle and bustle of the main roads, as one can enjoy a peaceful meal or coffee with jazz as background music, not the sound of the road.

Komunitas Café: Open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
Golden Fatmawati Blok B-41/42, Jl. RS Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta, Jakarta 12420.

Largo Bistrot

Largo is situated on Jl. Benda Raya in Kemang, South Jakarta and offers weekly live jazz music every week. The French-themed bistro is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and open until 2 a.m. on the weekends.

The bistro offers weekly performances on Fridays and Saturdays usually playing jazz, or jazz-tinged soul or R&B music, with the performers usually curated by Largo'€™s musical director and occasional chef Aksan Sjuman, who is known for his past role as drummer of Indonesian rock band Dewa 19. The bistro also holds occasional concert events.

Riza Arshad and Mian Tiara have graced the bistro'€™s stage in the past and jazz singer Rahel Pradika will perform on Fridays at the restaurant.

Largo Bistrot: Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday to Saturday
Jl. Benda Raya 7A, Kemang, South Jakarta, largokemang.com.

Red White Lounge

The Red White Lounge is a jazz club located in Kemang, South Jakarta, run and owned by renowned Indonesian jazz pianist and composer Indra Lesmana.

The venue is one of the more active live jazz venues, with performances almost every day of the week, and has the atmosphere of a conventional jazz bar (dim lighting, a floor-level stage, a well-stocked bar).

Performances and jam sessions are usually held from Wednesdays to Sundays and usually feature lesser known and established musicians. Indra Lesmana occasionally performs with his jazz band every month. Workshops and musician master classes are also held at the venue.

Entrance to the venue usually costs from Rp 60,000 (US$5.22) to Rp 100,000, depending on who is performing.

Red White Jazz Lounge: open Wednesdays to Sundays, 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Jl. Kemang Raya 16B, Kemang, South Jakarta, redwhitelounge.com.

Black Cat

The Black Cat Jazz and Blues Bar is an upscale jazz bar and restaurant located in the Arcadia Senayan building, Plaza Senayan mall complex, South Jakarta.

The dimly-lit and well-attended bar features live jazz music every day at 9 p.m. and the performers mostly consist of established jazz and/or blues musicians.

On Thursdays and Saturdays however, the bar usually plays pop music and twice a month the bar also has '€œclassic rock'€ nights.

Open mic nights are also held two Mondays a month, giving the chance for aspiring jazz musicians to take the helm at one of Jakarta'€™s well-known jazz gathering places.

Black Cat Jazz and Blues Bar: Open Monday '€“ Sunday 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Plaza Senayan Arcadia Units X '€“ 208/209, Jl. New Delhi '€“ Pintu I, Senayan, South Jakarta.

Serambi Jazz at Goethe Haus

Serambi Jazz is a bimonthly program held at the Goethe Institut in Menteng, Central Jakarta, which usually features performances by established German and/or Indonesian jazz musicians.

The event is held at the institute'€™s own event hall, Goethe Haus.

Aside from performances, Serambi Jazz also holds musical workshops run by the performing artists, where musicians can exchange their talent and knowledge in developing their Jazz music skills.

Goethe Institut
Jl. Sam Ratulangi 9-15, Menteng, Central Jakarta. '€” JP

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