UBUD, kanalbali.id – The Sthala Ubud Village Jazz Festival (UVJF) 2025 officially opened at Sthala, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott, Lodtunduh.
The first day of the festival brought a rich display of cross-continental jazz, blending performances by local and international musicians across its two main stages: Subak Stage and Giri Stage.
The opening ceremony featured welcoming remarks from several key figures, including Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati, MSi (Head of the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association and representative of Puri Ubud).
In his remarks, Prof. Tjokorda Oka expressed his appreciation for the event organizers, stating: “We thank UVJF for consistently holding this festival as an extraordinary attraction for Ubud. Jazz has found its place here, and moving forward, events like this must always be planned and continued.”
The ceremonial opening was marked by the symbolic striking of cymbals by UVJF Co-Founders Yuri Mahatma and A.A. Anom Darsana, along with representatives from the Gianyar Tourism Office.
The moment was followed by a fanfare performance from the East West European Jazz Orchestra (EWEJO) before a photo session and their opening set on stage.
The first day of the festival featured eight performances, offering a wide range of jazz expressions from various cultural roots. Smokey Chamber Trio (Indonesia) opened Subak Stage with an intimate set featuring original compositions such as Kesari (Eko Sumarsano) and Free Delivery (Yuri Mahatma).
On Giri Stage, German band SILK lit up the evening with funk and soul grooves, from Tiki Hut Strut (Cory Wong) to Boogie Down (Al Jarreau, Michael Omartian), setting an energetic tone for the night. EWEJO delivered a powerful big-band jazz performance with arrangements like Chega de Saudade (Carlos Jobim) and Street Life (Joe Sample), featuring guest vocals from Dian Pratiwi, marking her return to the Indonesian jazz scene.
Vietnamese duo Jazz Steps offered a unique collaboration of modern jazz and traditional Vietnamese rhythms, while New Centropezn Quartet (Russia) infused their repertoire with soul and Armenian folk influences.
Back on Subak Stage, Astrid Sulaiman joined by Soukma and Doni Wirandana delivered heartfelt originals such as Motherhood and Midnight in Mumbul, as well as Indonesian folk songs like Panon Hideung reimagined in smooth jazz harmony.
Bojan Cvetković Quartet (Serbia) brought Balkan flair to modern jazz, before Gayatri Quartet (Indonesia) closed the night with a blend of jazz standards and pop-soul tunes, from Desafinado (Antonio Carlos Jobim) to Black & Gold (Sam Sparro).
Day one of Sthala UVJF 2025 offered audiences a dynamic musical journey, set against the lush backdrop of Ubud.
With performances spanning intimate chamber jazz to high-energy big-band orchestrations, Southeast Asian traditions to Eastern European folk, the festival once again affirmed its role as a vibrant meeting point of music and culture in Bali. (mybalinews/IST)
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