The STHALA - Ubud Village Jazz Festival is an annual celebration of world-class jazz, set in the heart of Ubud, Bali—one of the most culturally vibrant destinations. Recognized as the best jazz festival in the region, Ubud Village Jazz Festival brings together an eclectic mix of national and international artists, each delivering captivating performances across a diverse range of jazz styles and influences.
Every performer featured in the festival is hand-picked and carefully curated by the UVJF Board Members, ensuring an exceptional musical experience for all attendees. Whether you’re a fan of classic swing, contemporary fusion, or soulful improvisations, this year's line-up promises to exceed expectations, offering an unforgettable journey through the ever-evolving world of jazz.
Astrid Sulaiman—jazz pianist, composer, and UVJF Vice-Chair—returns to the stage with a fresh, intimate trio formation featuring vocalists Soukma and Doni Wirandana. This special collaboration presents Astrid’s original compositions alongside imaginative jazz interpretations. With rich harmonies, lyrical depth, and dynamic interplay, the group promises a performance that’s both personal and powerful—anchored in experience and bursting with soul.
Velvety, charismatic, and deeply rooted in the jazz tradition, Doni Wirandana is a vocalist known for his Nat King Cole–esque charm and magnetic stage presence. He was one of The Voice Of Germany’s finalist in 2022. At UVJF 2025, he joins Astrid Sulaiman and Soukma in a rare vocal-driven ensemble, where his smooth tone and lyrical sensitivity elevate a performance shaped by vocal interplay and jazz nuance.
With a voice that moves between strength and subtlety, Soukma channels classic jazz with soulful depth and modern edge. As a vocalist, she brings bold presence and elegance to every note. This year at UVJF 2025, Soukma shares the stage with pianist-vocalist Astrid Sulaiman and vocalist Doni Wirandana, forming a vocal-rich trio that promises warmth, style, and vocal jazz harmony at its finest.
I Wayan Balawan, Bali’s renowned guitar virtuoso, leads the Balawan Quartet—a dynamic ensemble blending jazz, rock, blues, and traditional Balinese gamelan. Known for his groundbreaking 8-finger touch-tapping technique on a double-neck guitar, Balawan studied at the Australian Institute of Music. Together with his trio featuring his son, Jiyestha, he creates electrifying jazz fusion performances that merge technical brilliance with deep Indonesian cultural roots.
The Bojan Cvetković Quartet, hailing from Serbia, delivers a vibrant blend of modern jazz infused with Balkan rhythms. Led by pianist Bojan Cvetković, the ensemble features Marc Doffey on tenor saxophone, Niklas Jaunich on drums, and Johannes Otto on bass. Their dynamic performances showcase intricate improvisations and a deep connection to their cultural roots, offering audiences a fresh and engaging jazz experience.
With a voice that grooves across jazz, soul, and Latin rhythms, Dian Pratiwi brings her electrifying stage presence to UVJF 2025, fronting the East West Jazz Orchestra. Born in Jakarta and formerly based in Germany, Dian has graced international stages and taught jazz vocals at Dortmund’s Glen Buschmann Jazz Academy. Now back in Bali, she continues to channel global flair into powerful, vibrant performances that bridge cultures and sound.
Dizzy & Wicked Electro Jazz is a boundary-pushing quartet from Indonesia, blending classic jazz with modern electronic sounds. With Warman Sanjaya (drums), Irsa Destiwi (keys/synths), Indra Gupta (bass), and Evony Arty (vocals), they deliver a vibrant mix of smooth jazz and groove-laden electronica. Their genre-defying style offers an electrifying experience that honours tradition while exploring fresh, contemporary soundscapes.
East West European Jazz Orchestra performs powerful big-band jazz with a unique blend of swing, soul, and Eastern European folk influences. Their repertoire features reimagined standards like “Comes Love,” contemporary funk, and Balkan-tinged arrangements, creating an energetic and multicultural soundscape. Featuring international soloists and young jazz talents, EWEJO bridges cultures through vibrant, high-level performances that celebrate jazz’s global language.
Explosive brass, swinging rhythms, and cross-cultural groove—Galaxy Big Band Jazz Orchestra brings big band energy to UVJF like no other. Founded in Jakarta in 1992 by Japanese jazz enthusiasts, this 15-member powerhouse blends the sophistication of classic swing with the fire of modern jazz. Their high-energy performances, rich in solos and showmanship, light up stages and get audiences grooving from the first note.
Fronted by sultry-voiced Diah Gayatri, this Indonesian jazz quartet (with drums, keys, guitar, and vocals) delivers intimate renditions of jazz standards infused with soulful nuance. Drawing from swing, bossa nova, and cool jazz traditions, they craft polished, expressive sets that highlight Diah’s emotive phrasing and refined stage presence. Their sound bridges vintage elegance with modern flair—perfect for jazz lovers seeking warmth and sophistication.
Quyền Thiện Đắc (saxophone) and Đào Minh Pha (double bass) form Jazz Steps, a spirited duo committed to bringing jazz beyond concert halls into villages, schools, and street corners across Vietnam. With Berklee and Malmö-trained chops, they blend improvisational modern jazz with Vietnamese folk rhythms in free‑spirited, site‑responsive performances. Their mission: share jazz as a living, accessible art form rooted in national culture and heartfelt expression.
Prasetyobogie “Bogie” Prasetyo is a well-known Indonesian jazz drummer and percussionist, and the driving force behind the group Jazz Traveller. With over 30 years on stage, he blends traditional swing, bossa nova, and contemporary jazz grooves. Bogie tours nationally (notably with Djampiro Band Bali and Astungkara), delivering crisp rhythms and dynamic improvisations that resonate across jazz clubs and festival stages.
Mahanada Putra Yapari, known as Mahanada, is an Indonesian jazz vocalist and pianist recognized for his deep musicality and heartfelt improvisation. A fixture at Bali’s coastal jazz events and intimate performance spaces, he breathes new life into classics like “Sabda Alam.” With every note, Mahanada delivers a rich, soulful experience that bridges tradition and personal expression.
Makoto Kuriya is one of Japan’s most influential jazz artists. After a decade in the U.S. performing with legends like Grammy-winner Chuck Mangione, he gained global acclaim across Asia, Europe, and beyond. As a composer/producer, he’s scored the platinum-selling anime Neon Genesis Evangelion and led diplomatic tours. His jazz-fusion album Acoustic Weather Report topped Amazon Japan. A boundary-defying force, Kuriya continues to elevate jazz worldwide. He will be accompanied by Indra Gupta (Double Bass) and Gustu Brahmanta (drums).
The New‑Centropezn Jazz Quartet, formed by top graduates of Rostov-on-Don’s renowned jazz conservatory, is celebrated both in Russia and internationally for its heartfelt, spontaneous ensemble interplay. Their powerful interpretations span soul, New Orleans styles, and contemporary jazz, showcased in acclaimed albums like Jazz Fairyland and Breath‑Taking Breeze. With dynamic grooves and improvisational flair, they captivate jazz audiences across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
ROUGE is a French jazz trio led by pianist Madeleine Cazenave, joined by Sylvain Didou (double bass) and Boris Louvet (drums). Their music blends classical lyricism with modern jazz textures, evoking influences from Satie to Gogo Penguin. With compositions from their acclaimed debut Derrière les paupières, ROUGE invites listeners on an immersive, emotional journey through melodic depths, ethereal stillness, and radiant rhythmic sparks.
SILK is an eight-piece funk, fusion, and soul band from Dortmund, Germany, known for their energetic grooves and distinctive brass section. Blending jazz, pop, and original compositions, they draw inspiration from artists ranging from Al Jarreau to Cory Wong. Now expanding internationally with their debut in Bali at UVJF 2025, SILK continues to connect cultures through a vibrant, cross-border sound journey.
Accidentally formed during the pandemic, the Smokey Chamber Trio (S‑C‑T) began as a living-room project—intimate home sessions never meant for public stages. Their only “venues” were smoky chambers and online videos. Now, for the first time, this unique trio steps into the spotlight. Featuring Yuri Mahatma and Benny Irawan on guitars, and Fendy Rizk on double bass, their music is chamber jazz—both literally and artistically.
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