, Japan, where the group achieved breakthrough success and popularity In 1987, Indonesia 6 gained national recognition by participating in the World Band Explosion, also known as the
Yamaha Light Music Contest, held at
Budokan Hall in
Tokyo. Indonesia 6, a jazz-fusion band formed in 1984, gained international recognition after their performance at the International Light Music Contest 1987 in Tokyo, where they won Best Keyboard Player and Best Bassist awards. The International Light Music Contest 1987 were judged by
Issei Noro of Casiopea (JP),
Nathan East (USA),
Haruomi Hosono of
Yellow Magic Orchestra (JP),
John Robinson (USA),
Hideo Yamaki (JP),
Akira Inoue (JP),
Masaki Ueda (JP), and
Ryo Asuka (JP). Their performance of "
All the Things You Are", rearranged into a samba rhythm with Latin influence, stood out for its complex improvisations and fusion elements reminiscent of bands like
Casiopea,
Spyro Gyra, and
Level 42. The band originally performed under the name Kahitna, with all members being students of Elfa Music Studio in
Bandung. The group later adopted the name Indonesia 6 to align with their participation in the Light Music Contest, referencing the band's six-member lineup. The members included: • Hentriesa Yulmedia (
drums) • Yani Danuwijaya (
keyboards; Best Keyboard Player Award) • Desi Arnaz Lahat (
bass; Best Bassist Award) • Iwan Wiradz (
percussion) • Bubi Iradiadi (keyboards) • Yovie Widianto (keyboards) The band represented Indonesia and Asia alongside participants from 22 groups across 11 countries, including Japan. 6,500 bands from Japan and 5,500 bands from other countries had originally competed for the opportunity to perform in Tokyo. The group's music was primarily influenced by
Latin jazz, but they incorporated
Indonesian ethnic elements for international appeal.
Elfa Secioria, their mentor and musical director, emphasized the band's fusion style that blended traditional Indonesian sounds with Latin percussion and modern jazz. Yani Danuwijaya, the youngest member at 15 years old, had already gained international recognition through the Junior Original Concert (JOC) in Tokyo and
Osaka and had performed for
UNICEF and at the
United Nations Headquarters in
New York. Despite her
classical training, Yani transitioned into jazz with guidance from Tamam Hussein, focusing on developing her jazz improvisation skills. == Discography ==