The Papandayan International Online Jazz Competition (TPJC) 2026 is set to return this December, inviting jazz musicians from across the globe to connect online through its theme “Unity in Harmony”, with registration opening on 20 December 2025 and the competition unfolding digitally until March 2026 via tpjazzfest.com, reinforcing Bandung’s role as a key node in the international jazz conversation even without a physical stage.
The competition was first launched during the pandemic as a way to keep musicians connected when travel and live performance were uncertain, and it has since evolved into a global meeting point for both professional and amateur jazz bands who might never share the same geography yet speak the same musical language, with the organisers maintaining the digital format to keep participation accessible and to encourage cultural exchange beyond borders.
The journey of TPJC 2026 begins with a registration window running from 20 December 2025 to 31 January 2026, followed by performance video submissions between 31 January and 31 March 2026, with all entries processed exclusively through the official website, and this year’s edition will be judged by a panel that includes Venche Manuhutu, Hari Pochang, Dwiki Dharmawan, and Barry Likumahuwa, alongside two international judges to be announced, a line-up that brings together a wide spectrum of jazz perspectives.
Founder of TP Jazz Management, Bobby Renaldi, described the competition as a platform designed to value courage and creativity over geography, saying, “We designed TPJC as an inclusive global stage. In the digital era, we believe talent is no longer defined by location, but by the courage to create and share one’s voice with the world. TPJC is not just about competition, it is a musical journey. Every submission carries a story, character, and the spirit of jazz from its place of origin.”
TPJC 2026 is open to two categories, Youth Jazz for musicians under 23 and Jazz Warrior for those above, with winners set to receive cash prizes totalling hundreds of millions of rupiah, trophies, performance slots at The Papandayan Jazz Fest 2026, and opportunities to collaborate with established jazz figures, positioning the competition not only as a contest but as a gateway into a broader international network.
The competition is part of the wider TP Jazz programme organised by The Papandayan Bandung in collaboration with Media Group, which has been running since 2013 and was once described by former Governor Ridwan Kamil as “The Address of Jazz in Bandung”, with activities ranging from monthly performances and roadshows to masterclasses, jazz markets, children’s programmes, and the annual Papandayan Jazz Fest that marks its tenth edition this year, all contributing to the city’s growing reputation as a destination for jazz culture.
Musicians interested in taking part can find further information on Instagram at @tpjazzcompetition or through the official website.
