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It's the season of festivals, and not just Dasain, Tihar and Chhat. In the last two months, Kathmandu has played host to two literary festivals, a documentary festival and now we are gearing up for our annual jazz party, Jazzmandu.
Surya Nepal Jazzmandu turns nine this year and, we are happy to report, has stuck to its annual promise. "When we started the festival in 2002, it was difficult to even find a jazz CD in Kathmandu," recalls Navin Chhetri, the drummer and vocalist of Cadenza. "Now the genre is popular, and we no longer have to explain what jazz is."
An impressive, varied ensemble of invitees this year testifies to the growing success of the event. Jazzmandu has put Kathmandu on the international jazz map, getting mentions in Jazz Times and Lonely Planet. Chhetri says that he gets emails from acts from previous years, and from outfits around the world who want to be part of the festival.
The organisers try not to repeat artists so that the audiences have the chance to taste different flavours of jazz every year. Next week, musicians are flying in for the festival, including Neighbourhood (Sweden), Nick Aggs (Austraila), The Window Seat (India) and Bconnected (Switzerland). They will be joined by our resident ensembles Cadenza, The KJC Faculty Combo, Gandharva, and Rabin Lal Shrestha Eastern Classical Trio. Along with regular jam sessions around the Valley, Jazzmandu this year offers a special slot for Afro-Latin and Cuban sounds with the Cuban League.
This year also sees the return of Jazz for the Next Generation Music Competition for local musicians. "We want to encourage new artists so that the jazz music scene stays alive here," explains. "The applicants have been very impressive so far."
So, mark your calendars for next week, it's time for some jazz!
Thursday, 20 October Jazz for the Next Generation
Music Competition
Three young selected finalists will perform for the crowd and a panel of judges, consisting of visiting Jazzmandu artists. One outstanding band will be picked to perform at Jazz Bazaar, plus win a private workshop with Jazzmandu musicians.
Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Jhamsikhel
Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Free entry (limited seating)
Friday, 21 October
Valley Jams
Different venues in Kathmandu will feature performances by various Jazzmandu artists. Take your pick and go where your favorite band will be jammin'.
Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lazimpat: The Cuban League (USA)
Moksh, Jhamsikhel: Bconnected (Switzerland)
House of Music, Thamel: Neighborhood (Sweden)
Time: 7:30 to 9:30pm (Gates open at 7.00pm and close at 8.00pm)
Ticket: Rs 400
Saturday, 22nd October
Jazz Bazaar
A marathon of jazz and traditional Nepalese folk and classical music performed by international and Nepali musicians. Featuring Bconnected (Switzerland), The Cuban League (USA), Cadenza Collective (Nepal) Gandharva (Nepal), Nick Aggs (Australia), Neighbourhood (Sweden), Window Seat (India), Nepali Classical Ensemble (Nepal) and JFNG outstanding band.
Gokarna Forest Resort, Gokarna
Time: 2.30pm to 10.00pm
(Gates open at 1.30pm and
close at 7.00pm)
Ticket: Rs 799
Free shuttle bus service available every hour from 1.00pm – 4.00pm. Pick-up point: outside Hyatt Regency gate, Boudha. Free return shuttle bus available between 10.00pm - 11.00pm, drop at Lazimpat.
Sunday, 23 October
Afro-Latin Jam
A night featuring authentic Afro-Cuban sounds of the Caribbean with the band Cuban League, followed by Jazzmandu artists jamming to the grooves of Afro-Latin Jazz.
Hotel Shangri -La, Lazimpat
Time: 7.00pm to 10.00pm (Gates open at 6.00pm and close at 8.00pm)
Ticket: Rs 799
Monday, 24 October
Jazzmandu Master Class
The Jazzmandu master class is an opportunity for music students and jazz enthusiasts to interact with visiting musicians, share their experience and stories and learn different instrumental tips and techniques.
Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Jhamsikhel
Show Time: 3.00pm to 4.30pm
Free entry (limited seating)
Monday, 24 October
Jazz at Patan
An evening of Nepali classical music fused with Jazz at a historic and magical venue with a rich
and soulful ambience. International musicians bring out their
musical ideas and backgrounds
with Nepal's Cadenza.
Patan Museum Square, Patan
Show Time: 6.00pm to 8.30pm (Gates open at 5.00pm)
Ticket: Rs 1299
Tuesday, 25 October
Jazzmandu Finale
Jazzmandu ends with a finale jam. Musicians from different bands play their sets and later jam together, creating high-energy, improvised music.
Venue: Shambala Garden, Hotel Shangri-La, Lazimpat
Time: 6.00pm to 10.00pm (Gates open at 5.00pm)
Ticket: Rs 899
