8 Portraits of Posan Tobing Remembering Jack Marpaung, the Unreplaceable Batak Music Maestro

"Honestly, there are many great singers in the Batak music industry. But I have never found anyone whose voice is truly like Jack Marpaung's, which is high-pitched but not painful to the ears. I think he is indeed a legendary maestro and a role model for Indonesian musicians, especially Batak," he said.

Posan has beautiful memories with Jack when they collaborated on a concert project. Their relationship started from Posan's introduction to Jack's son-in-law, which then led to a collaboration for Jack Marpaung's birthday event.  

"I first got to know his son-in-law. It was a match made in heaven, I once organized a concert project for Jack Marpaung's birthday, at that time together with Batak media. Eventually, I got to meet him directly, we talked, he is very humble, extraordinary, and irreplaceable," Posan revealed.

Even though Jack was sick, Posan continued to communicate and often met at Jack's family home. During those meetings, Posan felt an extraordinary energy radiating from Jack as a true musician.

"In direct conversations, I knew he was already unwell. But I met him intensively, every time I went to Novia Dewi and Alex's house, we talked, of course, one way. But from his face, it radiated that he was a true musician. Talking to him felt like transferring energy to us," said Posan.

Posan also attended Jack Marpaung's funeral procession at San Diego Hills Memorial Parks on Thursday (1/9/2025). He felt moved to see so many Batak and national musicians present to pay their last respects.

"Honestly, this is my first time coming. I visited Jack's house in Bekasi and joined the group for the burial. Because of the news of his passing, I posted this, but I am still in Surabaya as well. I just got back earlier today. From what my wife said, many Batak and national musicians were also present," said Posan.

As a closing, Posan expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Jack Marpaung. For him, Jack is a figure who will always be remembered in the Indonesian music scene, especially for the Batak music community.