Nepal's jazz enthusiasts can look forward to enjoying a real class act at JazzMand-Edition Two (28 February to 15 March, 2003) with Dutch guitarist Jesse van Ruller and his Trio. Jesse will play with his current working band, that features two other upcoming stars from the European jazz front: Frans van der Hoeven on double bass and Martijn Vink on drums.

Thirty-year-old Jesse van Ruller has won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Prize for jazz guitar in Washington and played legends like Christian McBride, George Duke, former Miles Davis protege Mike Stern, Philip Catherine, Toots Thielemans, and the Roy Hargrove Quintet. His prolific career includes six CDs released under his own name. Nepal's own Cadenza summed it up after listening to Van Ruller's music: "Jesse is cool. End of discussion."

(for more information - www.kathmandujazzfestival.com)