“We have to remain optimistic, and I’m certain things will get better. The ongoing vaccination and the slow but steady decline of the infection rate are very strong signs. The government has worked hard in terms of infrastructure, the internet is more evenly available, and I’m proving it today, right now, in this jazz forum. In 2022, I hope that jazz festivals in Indonesia will return to normal,” said Peter F. Gontha during the Indonesian Jazz Forum webinar on April 9.

The statement is an important message of struggle that should be amplified. Featuring other speakers Triawan Munaf and Sigit Pramono of Jazz Gunung, the webinar discussed the prospects for Indonesian jazz festivals after the pandemic.

According to Candra Darusman, chairman of the Indonesian Musician Federation, as of June 2020 some 200 music festivals throughout the country had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. Jazz Gunung should be applauded for its decision to continue hosting the Jazz Gunung Ijen event in late 2020. Under normal circumstances, the amphitheater for Jazz Gunung Ijen can accommodate 1,000 people, but during the pandemic the occupancy was reduced to 300 people.

The organizers implemented mandatory swab tests, mandatory mask wearing and mandatory physical distancing to comply with health protocols.

This music festival had its own challenges, especially from the event management viewpoint, which had to adjust to health protocols and optimize the audience’s experience. The organizers wanted to present a festival that rivaled normal ones.

Jazz Gunung Ijen signaled that the jazz ecosystem could survive. It was expected to mark a turning point for the recovery of the creative economy and tourism sector. After Jazz Gunung, Prambanan Jazz was held virtually with a hybrid concept from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, 2020, right at Prambanan Temple. The festival spirit flowed to Yogyakarta with the presence of Ngayogjazz later, from Nov. 19 to 21, with a provocative theme, “Ngejazz Tak Gentar” (Jazz no fear).

Along with International Jazz Day, Batam Jazz was held with the theme “Rising Riau Island” from March 27 to 28. It was the sixth jazz festival ever held by the Batam Jazz Society. The Java Jazz Festival was fortunate enough to be held prior to the pandemic, from Feb. 28 to March 1, 2020, at JIExpo Kemayaron. On the other hand, the Ubud Jazz Festival had to be postponed.

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