James F. Sundah

December 1, 1955 – May 7, 2026

James F. Sundah (James Freddy Sundah), 70, born on December 1, 1955, in Semarang, Indonesia, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, at home in Briarwood, New York, with his wife by his side.

A revered icon of Indonesian music, songwriter, composer, and producer, James dedicated his life to his music, craft, and artistry. Over the course of his long career, he became known as one of the legendary figures in Indonesian music, writing songs that touched generations of listeners through their sincerity, beauty, timeless melodies, and emotional depth.

James is survived by his loving wife, Priscillia (Lia), and his beloved son, Erick. He is also survived by his sisters and their husbands, Grace & the late Aden, Linda & Timbul, and Febrianne & Basuki, along with a multitude of nieces, nephews, relatives, lifelong friends, fellow musicians, and colleagues in Indonesia, the United States, and around the world.

He was the beloved son of Alfred Sundah and Anneke Meiline Georgien Lantu, both of whom predeceased him.

Music was never simply a profession for James. It was his passion, identity, and lifelong calling. Among his most beloved works was “Lilin-Lilin Kecil” (Little Candles), a timeless song remembered by many Indonesians for its heartfelt message and enduring impact. His final song was “Seribu Tahun Cahaya” (Thousand Light Years), dedicated to his wife, reflecting his enduring love and gratitude for the life they shared together.

James was also known for his strong principles and dedication to protecting the rights of musicians and songwriters in Indonesia. Many credit much of the progress achieved within the Indonesian music industry to his decades of hard work, dedication, and steadfast advocacy for transparency, fairness, and the rights of Indonesian musicians and songwriters.

Beyond his accomplishments in music, James will be remembered most for his wisdom, warmth, humor, generosity, and fierce loyalty to the people he loved. He enjoyed soccer, meaningful conversations, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Among his close circles, he was especially known for his famous black pepper crab and soto ayam (traditional Indonesian chicken soup) from scratch, which he loved preparing for gatherings and special occasions.

Viewing and prayer services will be held on Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at: Schwartz Brothers Memorial Chapel

114-03 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, NY 11375. The service will be livestreamed, please see link below.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at Schwartz Brothers Memorial Chapel, followed by burial at:

St. John Cemetery 80-01 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379

He is deeply missed and forever remembered.