Jessica Manuputty (Moluccas / Netherlands)

Jessica Manuputty is a Dutch-Moluccan singer whose musical roots trace back to the Moluccan Islands, now part of Indonesia, that her grandparents once called home. Growing up in the Netherlands, she heard her family perform traditional Maluku folk songs, known as Lagu-Lagu, in three-part harmony. After studying at Utrecht Conservatory, she built a reputation in the Dutch soul and pop scenes, collaborating with artists like Jett Rebel, the

Metropole Orchestra and Jacob Collier. Yet despite her success in Europe, her longing for her ancestral home led her to release her debut album Toma! in 2017 and its follow-up Toma Terus in 2023. Accompanied by guitar, ukulele, bass, percussion and tight harmonies, Jessica channels her personal and cultural history into soulful interpretations that tug gently at the heart.

Featured Song:

“Bulan Terang” (Bright Moon) is a tender homage to the island music of Maluku. Featuring lilting harmonies and gently strummed ukulele, the song evokes moonlit nights by the sea. “The bright moonlight on the edge of the beach / Ambon beach, so full of belief / Waves crash against the boat / I remember, oh I truly remember / The clean white sand.”

Artist Website

Featured on:

Click images to learn more