Sax inside the City: PT Java Festival Production

The Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival debuted in 2005, staging 146 shows which were visited by 47,500 festival-goers. Arguably the largest jazz festival inside the Southern Hemisphere, This particular year’s event, which will kick off on March 4, is actually anticipating 120,000 attendees. We sit down with Dewi Gontha, the President Director of PT Java Festival Production, to find out what This particular takes to put together a show of This particular scale, in addition to what motivates her in addition to her team to continue to improve each year.

Dewi Gontha, President Director of PT Java Festival Production

Dewi, how did you first get involved inside the earth of music festivals?

I had been working since 1996 as an investor relations manager in addition to a marketing director in two different companies. In 2001 I decided to quit my job as I was due to give birth to my first son, which was followed by the birth of my second son in 2003. Then, while sitting at home caring for my babies, my father presented the opportunity to me to do the first Java Jazz Festival, which we launched in 2005.

How many attendees did you have at Java Jazz Festival last year, in addition to what are the expectations because of This particular year’s event?

Last year we had traffic of approximately 110,000 for three days, not including the Java Jazz On The Move event prior to the Festival. This particular year we are expecting as many as 120,000 visitors to attend our festival.

which’s a lot of people! How many months does This particular take to plan This particular event? in addition to how many staff members do you have working on the project?

This particular takes about six full months to prepare for a festival of This particular scale. We have more than 1,000 people working during the event, yet we have approximately 40 permanent staff inside the office who are part of the organizing committee.

What are the main challenges you face inside the live entertainment business in Indonesia?

I think convincing artists which Indonesia should be their priority compared to additional Asian countries is actually one challenge. We also face difficulties with production costs in addition to venue rentals which are very high. Raising sponsorships every year is actually another challenging bit of homework.

Do you travel the earth to experience festivals for ideas for your own?

I like to go in addition to see shows yet not necessarily festivals.

What is actually This particular which you try to achieve with each music festival? What are your goals?

We started off off with the intention of promoting Indonesia through music. This particular is actually still the case today. We would certainly also like to set a standard on how to create a diverse music experience for the audience, as they are able to choose via different performances during the festival.

Robin Thicke is actually headlining your festival This particular year. What would certainly you say to critics who say he is actually not a jazz musician?

What is actually jazz? Have you seen The Music Tree; how everything is actually somehow related to something else? in addition to yet how do we educate the market? This particular is actually to get them first to come in addition to see an artist of their choice in addition to at the same time understand which jazz is actually very broad in addition to which everybody can enjoy This particular. The branch is actually so wide. is actually R n’ B a stand alone? Or This particular is actually part of the tree?

What additional musicians will be gracing the stages of Java Jazz 2016? in addition to who are you most looking forward to watching live?

There are so many great names to choose via. Some of my favourites include: David Foster, Chris Botti featuring Sting, Level 42, Patti Austin, Raisa, Marcell, Glenn Fredly, Isyana, in addition to Tophati.

How many stages will there be This particular year?

There will be 11 stages in total with something for everyone to enjoy.

What differences via last year’s event can audiences expect to see?

No difference. We just expect more.

Do you still have a cashless system for purchasing F&B? If so, can you explain for what reason This particular is actually done This particular way?

Yes, we do, which means which no change is actually needed. We find which This particular system is actually practical for buyers in addition to also practical for sellers.

How do you choose your acts? Do find which many jazz musicians are eager to come in addition to play at This particular internationally accredited jazz event?

We have a group of people which sit down together in addition to discuss musicians in addition to options of how to present each year better than the last.

Besides Java Jazz Festival, what additional events does your company put on?

We put on additional festivals like SoulNation in addition to Rockin’Land, in addition to with Live Nation Indonesia we do one-off concerts in addition to stand-up comedy shows, like international comedian Russell Peters last week in Jakarta.

What visions do you have for the future of your business?

I’d like to see Indonesia become bigger in addition to better at taking part inside the entertainment business. We want more foreigners to come in addition to visit Indonesia in addition to come to experience Indonesian events.

We want to be one company which can be seen with the same high standards as additional live music festivals in addition to organizations around the earth.

You are a mother as well as a successful business woman. What are your secrets on juggling the two?

No secret. Having understanding children in addition to a supportive family is actually all one will ever need to survive This particular industry in addition to work as best as we can.

in addition to finally, who is actually your all-time favourite jazz artist?

Haha there are just too many to mention!

Thank you, Dewi in addition to all the best because of This particular year’s festivities. For more information, visit www.javajazzfestival.com