Festival

Kathmandu Jazz Festival – Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2011

By admin ⋅ October 16, 2011 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

Countdown to J-Day

The 9 th edition of the Surya Nepal Jazzmandu will kick off on 20 th October for another musical feast for peace and compassion in the Kathmandu Valley. The international Kathmandu Jazz Festival, more popularly known as “Jazzmandu”, is bringing world-class musicians and famous national bands for a week of musical treats culminating with the grand finale on 25 th October. Jazzmandu 2011 will also feature a unique music competition to encourage and acknowledge upcoming musicians in Nepal and a special Afro-Latin Jam.

This annual “biggest Jazz party in the Himalayas” is organized by Upstairs Ideas Pvt. Ltd. primarily by Chhedup Bomzan of The Upstairs Jazz Bar, and Navin Chettri, drummer and vocalist for The Cadenza Collective.

Kathmandu, 16 October 2011 – Since its inception back in 2002, the Surya Nepal Jazzmandu festival more popularly known as “Jazzmandu”, has featured a wide range of excellent musicians from many different countries, cultures and musical backgrounds. The “biggest Jazz party in the Himalayas” has become a renowned event over the years. Those unfortunate to have missed it last year should mark their calendar for this year 9 th edition due to start in only a few days.

This International Jazz festival is organized by Upstairs Ideas Pvt. Ltd. primarily by Chhedup Bomzan of The Upstairs Jazz Bar, and Navin Chettri, drummer and vocalist for The Cadenza Collective.

Over the past 9 years Jazzmandu, has featured world-class musicians bringing Jazz to some Himalayan heights and placing this musical happening firmly on the International Jazz happenings map. The festival has attracted an ever growing number of Jazz enthusiasts at home and from abroad as it is now advertised by numerous travel agents.

“ We didn’t do anything about it, didn’t really think about it but some travel agencies around the world are now doing tours where Jazzmandu is the attraction for tourists who want to check out jazz in the Himalayas ” says Navin Chettri. “ That is why they are coming, that is the draw ” he adds. Guest houses are now following this trend with unique and wonderful initiatives such as the Jazz Legends photo exhibition opening on 20 th October at the Tings Lounge Hotel in Lazimpat.

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2011 is offering us a week of musical treats with the ever popular Valley Jams, the impressive musical marathon of the Jazz Bazaar, the precious educational feature of the Jazz Master Class, the magical Jazz at Patan concert, and the energetic vibes of the Finale Big Jam. This year’s edition also features a welcome Jazz for the Next Generation Music Competition for local artists, and the Afro-Latin Jam that promises to delight us with exotic grooves.

For its 9 th edition Jazzmandu brings together the talents and creative energy of 9 bands coming from Australia, the USA, India, Switzerland, Sweden, and of course Nepal for a week of musical feasts. Many have never been to Nepal and all artists are excited about the upcoming festival in Kathmandu. “ I t’s gonna be the first time for us in Nepal. Honestly, we really don’t know what to expect, but we are sure it will be wonderful! ” says Eugene Montenero of Bconnected.

On Thursday 20 th October at the KJC, Jahmasikel, Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2011 starts by giving a unique opportunity for young local musicians to be recognized as future jazz artists of Nepal. The Jazz for the Next Generation Music Competition finalists will have the chance to perform for the crowd and for the judges consisting of Jazzmandu International artists. One outstanding band will perform at the Jazz Bazaar and get an opportunity to engage in a private workshop with Jazzmandu musicians.

The Valley Jams and its fireworks of jazz performances is on Friday 21 st October starting at 7:30pm in three venues to choose from. The southern side of the valley will buzz with the vibrant musical expression of Bconnected from Switzerland at Moksh, Jhamsikel, while the northern side will pulsate to the nordic grooves of Neighbourhood from Sweden at the House of Music in Thamel, and the Afro-Latin jazz of the Cuban League at Jazz Upstairs in Lazimpat.

On the following day, Saturday 22 nd October, the Jazz Bazaar will feature all Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2011 bands and musicians at the lush, serene Gokarna Forest Resort. The not-to be-missed event for all Jazzmandu fans, music enthusiasts and jazz lovers! The annual marathon of jazz and traditional folk and classical Nepalese music will start at 2:30pm and last until 10pm for an almost 8-hour long jazz party.
A shuttle bus service (but with limited seats availability) will be leaving every hour from 1pm-4pm from outside the Hyatt Regency gate, Boudha and returning from Gokarna to Lazimpat between 10pm and 11pm.

The Afro-Latin Jam is on Sunday 23 rd October from 7pm to 10pm at the Hotel Shangri-La in Lazimpat, for an evening of authentic, warm and exotic Afro-Cuban sounds of the Caribbean with the band Cuban League followed by Jazzmandu artists jamming to the grooves of Afro-Latin Jazz.

The following day features two musical events. The Jazzmandu Master Class from 3pm to 4;30pm t the KJC, Jhamsikel, is an opportunity for music students and jazz enthusiasts to interact with Jazzmandu international artists, share their experience and learn instrumental tips and techniques. Entry is free but with limited seating.

Jazz performances then move to Patan for the Jazz at Patan event starting at 6pm until 8:30pm in the historic and magical setting of the Patan Museum Square. International Jazzmandu artists will bring out their musical ideas and backgrounds with Nepal top-notch classical musicians and jazz band Cadenza Collective for an enchanting evening.

On Tuesday 25 th October, the Jazzmandu Finale big jam of the Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2011 festival is once more held in the Shambala Garden at the Shangri-La Hotel in Lazimpat. Musicians from different bands play their set and later jam together for a not-to-be-missed high-energy improvised jazz treat. The festival finale will start at 6pm and lasts until 10pm.

Tickets are available at respective venues on concerts days or can be purchased at Jazz Upstairs in Lazimpat, Moksh in Jhamsikel and at Nepa Music Outlets in Thamel. For advance booking call 9803516450 (10am to 5pm).

With again this year an international palette of world-class jazz artists and famous national bands on the programme for a feast of musical diversity, Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2011 further promotes Jazz in the country and places Nepal and the Himalayas ever more firmly on the international Jazz map.

This year’s program features:

•  Nick Aggs (Australia) – Nick Aggs, has thrilled Jazzmandu audiences in the past (it is his fouth time here) with his crisp saxophone improvisations and deep heavy groove.

•  Cuban League (USA) – A trio with contagious and dynamic rhythms for an innovative musicality that aspires to preserve the legacy of Cuban music.

•  Bconnected (Switzerland) – This six-member band engages with energy and talent in an open and creative musical freedom to give the best to their audience.

•  Window Seat (India) – A quartet with melodies, harmonic statements and improvisations mixing jazz with afro beat and funk idioms for upbeat numbers.

•  Neighbourhood (Sweden) – A six-member band with pulsating grooves and a new generation of horn players for an energetic fusion of jazz, funk and soul.

•  KJC Faculty (members from Nepal, UK, Korea, Australia) – Debut performance for the talented and versatile members of the KJC Faculty.

•  Cadenza Collective (Nepal) – A cclaimed Jazz fusion style with blends of Nepali Classical and Folk, Afrobeat, Funk and experimental music for both the mind and soul.

•  Robin Lal Eastern Classical Trio (Nepal) – For a classical delight of Tabla, Sitar and bamboo flute.

•  Ghandarva (Nepal) – With traditional instruments such as the Sarangi, Madal and Kartal the band plays a significant role in the preservation of Nepali musical culture.