JGTC 2026 Offers a New Concept, From Campus to the City Center

Kapanlagi.com - The annual jazz music festival, Jazz Goes To Campus (JGTC), is back in 2026 with a concept that differs from previous years. This event, which has become an icon of jazz music in Indonesia, now presents a new format titled "The City Series." This change is a strategic step to reach a wider audience beyond the campus environment.

Usually held at the University of Indonesia, this year JGTC will take place at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Central Jakarta. The event is scheduled for April 25, 2026, and is expected to provide a new experience for jazz music lovers in the country.

The original initiator of JGTC, Candra Darusman, explained that the relocation does not mean abandoning the festival's original identity. Instead, this step is taken as an effort to expand the reach while introducing jazz to a more urban and inclusive space.

1. Reach Various Layers of Society

According to Candra, this new concept allows JGTC to continue operating on campus while also being present in the city. Thus, this festival can reach a more diverse segment of society without losing its historical roots as a student music festival.

"On one hand, JGTC on campus continues to run. But on the other hand, we are also creating a series of activities in the city, especially at Taman Ismail Marzuki," Candra said at a press conference in Senayan, Central Jakarta, recently.

In addition to the change of location, JGTC 2026 will also present a richer musical exploration. This festival will highlight various subgenres of jazz, ranging from swing, jazz-pop, jazz-rock, to fusion, which are characteristic of the flexibility of jazz music as a genre.

2. Local Touch

JGTC 2026 © JGTC

Not only that, the local touch will also be the main attraction this year. JGTC presents an ethnic-jazz concept that combines jazz music with elements of Betawi culture, providing a unique new color while enriching the musical heritage of Indonesia.

"In this series, various branches of jazz will be presented. Because jazz can be said to be a genus, with many species, including swing, jazz-pop, jazz-rock, fusion, and ethnic-jazz," Candra revealed.

"For ethnic-jazz, we will elevate Betawi music with jazz," Candra added.

3. Erwin Gutawa to Tohpati

From the performer side, JGTC 2026 will be enlivened by several renowned musicians such as Erwin Gutawa, Tohpati, Ari Renaldi, Adra Karim, Bandung Jazz Orchestra, as well as the collaboration of Alonzo & Rose Maryjane. Their presence is expected to bring a quality performance that captivates various generations of audiences.

In addition to musical performances, JGTC also features cross-generational dialogue sessions involving several figures such as Rano Karno, Chico Hindarto, Sri Hanuraga, and Agus Basuni. This discussion raises the theme of the journey towards 50 years of JGTC and hopes for the future, providing a reflective perspective for the audience before enjoying the music performance.

(kpl/pur/tdr)