Over the past few years, Kathmandu has gained a growing reputation as being a jazz-friendly valley.

Since the first Jazzmandu in March 2002, the festival is now an established stop on the international jazz calendar with music, participation and arrangement that is world class. Event management company Upstairs Ideas first envisioned the festival after the experience of the local ensemble, Cadenza, at the 2000 Palmer Street Jazz Festival in Australia.

Despite the fact that a musical event of this magnitude had never been attempted in Nepal before, through a sheer commitment to the music, the organisers managed to pull off an event that set the festival's reputation of high-caliber jazz, quality sound and an enthusiastic audience.

The appearance of Australia's leading jazz musician Don Borrows, and the ability to attract international jazz superstars has been another plus point. Word spread, and over 2,500 people turned up at the second festival in March 2003 to see acts such as Jesse Van Ruller, Afro Dizzi Act and master percussionist Trilok Gurtu. With a continuing emphasis on quality sounds and experienced musicians, the festival created a buzz in Kathmandu and around the world.

The third annual Kathmandu Jazz Festival, kicking off March 11, 2004, has peace as its main theme. And the lineup includes six international bands and three with a homegrown flavour. The headliner for the event is Louis Banks Brotherhood from Mumbai. The other international bands are Urban Connection from Norway, Simak Dialog from Indonesia, Hannah Vasanth Trio from England, Max Lolo from Benin, Africa, and Soul Mate from Shillong, India. This year's Jazzmandu includes a free show for school students, workshops and a peace parade.