Sydney holds a special place in the heart of renowned Indonesian jazz musician, Indra Lesmana.
He was only 12 years old when he got the chance to show off his piano skills in front of educators at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music — now known as the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. This performance lead to a scholarship to study music at 'The Con'.
I was the only jazz student. I was the first Indonesian jazz student there.Indra Lesmana - Indonesian jazz musician
In March 2024, Indra received an Australian Alumni Grant from the Australia Awards to produce a documentary about his life in Sydney over 40 years ago.
It was in this project that the Sydney Reunion album was born, involving Australian musicians who were part of Indra's early musical career while studying in Sydney such as Steve Hunter (bass), Dale Barlow (saxophone), and Andrew Gander (drums).
After launching his 100th album at the Sydney Opera House and performing at the Manly Jazz Festival last September, Indra returned to Sydney in December to perform the album at Sydney's jazz club Foundry616.
Indra Lesmana's performance at Sydney's jazz club Foundry616, December 2024. Credit: Supplied/Hon Lesmana/G Gunawan
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Sydney Reunion: Indra Lesmana returns to Sydney for his 100th album
SBS Indonesian
08/01/202515:50