Krakatau and Karimata to Headline JGTC The City Series 2 at TIM
Reported by Folmer | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
Jazz Goes To Campus (JGTC), titled 'The City Series 2,' is set to return to the Teater Besar Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) in Cikini, Central Jakarta, which falls on July 31, 2026.
JGTC will feature jazz-fusion and jazz-rock
Scheduled to run from 5 PM to 10 PM, the event will be headlined by two legendary jazz groups, Karimata and Krakatau, along with renowned vocalists such as Harvey Malaiholo, Lydia Nursaid, and Ricky Basuki.
JGTC Founder, Candra Darusman explained that 'The City Series 2' is a music and educational showcase that seamlessly blends talk sessions with live performances. The event serves as a lead-up to the dual milestones in 2027: the 50th anniversary of JGTC and the 500th anniversary of Jakarta.
Don’t Miss Ramadan Jazz Festival 2026 at Cut Meutia Mosque"JGTC The City Series is a jazz event designed to celebrate, commemorate, and honor JGTC’s upcoming 50th anniversary, as well as Jakarta’s 500th birthday," he stated, during a press conference in Senayan, Tuesday (7/28).
He revealed that the initial concept for 'The City Series' focuses on the diversity of jazz. While the first installment in May 2026 showcased mainstream big band arrangements by the Bandung Jazz Orchestra (BJO), the second series will take a different turn.
"For The City Series 2, JGTC will feature jazz-fusion and jazz-rock, which were highly popular around 1985. This jazz-rock sound will be uniquely infused with Betawi cultural elements," he explained.
He went on to say that the main JGTC festival will be held this November at the University of Indonesia (UI) campus in Depok, featuring jazz-pop performances to better cater to the tastes of the younger generation.
The Jakarta government expressed its support for the JGTC The City Series 2 scheduled for July 31, according to Fikri Arifin, an official from the Creative Economy Division.
Reflecting on the first edition, Fikri mentioned that the event was well-received and succeeded in boosting both the local economy and the creative sector, particularly the music industry.
"Having legendary jazz groups like Karimata and Krakatau perform at this event helps drive Jakarta’s vision of becoming a premier global city," he closed.
