The Kathmandu Jazz Festival, held from 22-27 October at various venues in the city, was a huge success. The festival seems to have touched many souls and turned some into jazz lovers. Suresh Limbu, band supervisor of the Greg Lyons Trio, said: "I didn't dig jazz music before but now I seem to love it. I even got some CDs to listen to." Abhaya Subba of Abhaya and the Steam Injuns said she enjoyed and loved Global Unity? the Mumbai-based band.

The event drew a mix of local and foreign jazz fans who cheered the international acts. Canadian performer Terrence Bowry says he enjoyed Nepal and its people so much that he plans to move here from Germany early next year.

Festival coordinator Chhedup Bomzan says that the festival, which began seven years ago, still has a long way to go, but he remains confident it will continue to get bigger and better each year.

Jazzmandu podcasts are available for download www.motleymix.nepal123.com.

Pravat J Gurung