Jazzing up the town for the 20th time
Right after Dasain festivities, the Surya Nepal Jazzmandu is back in town and this time it is celebrating two decades of the jazz festival.
Also known as Kathmandu Jazz Festival, the annual music fest which started in 2002 will run from 24-30 October this year. Over the years, it has established itself as a premier jazz event, pioneering and cultivating the taste of jazz in Nepal.
Much like the previous editions, the organisers aim to bring together jazz musicians of different backgrounds and origins, substantiating a platform for cultural interaction simultaneously.
“Jazzmandu is an act of love for our city, our audiences, and for the music – and we’ve still got lots more love to give,” says Samir Chettri of Kathmandu Jazz Festival.
This year’s five-day musical symposium features a lineup of artists celebrated from across the globe. They specialise not just in jazz but infusing it with different types of music. Eastern Classical featuring Jonisha Paudel, Santosh Bhakta, Roshan Putwar, Nimesh Kapali as well as Gandharva music are something to look forward this edition.
Erik Truffaz (Switzerland)
Jazz trumpeter Erik Truffaz’s music has pushed the boundaries of what trumpet-led jazz can be. In his decade-long career, Truffaz has seamlessly blended hip hop, rock and roll and dance music with jazz. Truffaz entered into the jazz scene in the early nineties but it was the 1998 album ‘The Dawn’ that gave him his breakthrough– establishing him as a pioneering force in contemporary jazz.
From recording in India on the banks of the Ganga, to collaborations with indie rockers, Truffaz has showcased his ability as a peerless all-rounder and ceaseless innovator. He has given scores to symphony orchestras, and has also written and composed music extensively for cinema.Truffaz is in the ranks of European jazz royalty, continuing to inspire a new generation of musicians and music lovers.
Erik Truffaz – Trumpet | Alexis Anérilles – Keyboard |
Marcello Giuliani – Bass | Raphael Chassin – Drums
Sheroes (USA)
This all-female band is an anomaly in the jazz scene where women still remain underrepresented. Sheroes was the brainchild of pianist, composer and arranger Monika Herzig who wanted to bring women jazz musicians together and provide powerful role models on stage and break the lingering gender stereotypes in jazz. The band is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
The Sheroes ensembles over time have brought together an extended network of talented women jazz musicians. Together, the musicians create music as they navigate their individual skill and style while showcasing an undeniable chemistry. Sheroes continues to elevate some of the top composers and players in jazz.
Monica Herzig – Piano | Jamie Baum – Flute |
Reut Regev – Trombone | Gina Schwarz – Bass |
Rosa Avila – Drums
Alma Naidu (Germany)
Described as “one of the most promising singers on the German scene” by Süddeutsche Zeitung, a daily newspaper in Germany, Alma Naidu is a singer, composer and lyricist based in Munich. Naidu boasts an enviable collection of top prizes honouring rising German jazz artists, and has also appeared in various musical theatre and opera productions.
Her debut album, Alma, was released in 2022 and comprised almost entirely of her own compositions and arrangements. Relatively an emerging artist among the Jazzmandu’s lineup, has previously performed across Germany, the Czech Republic and France with her touring quartet, which features her on the keys as well as vocals.
Alma Naidu – Vocals and piano | Andeas Dombert – Guitar
| Ferdinand Schwartz – Bass | Florian Stierstofer – Drums
Antonio Lizana Quintet (Spain)
Antonio Lizana is a jazz saxophonist and flamenco singer and composer who has blended jazz with flamenco and is one of the most celebrated representatives of new flamenco jazz. Lizana’s quintet have performed in more than 30 countries – including at festivals in London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Madrid, Barcelona and beyond – and has worked on Grammy-winning works with artists such as Arturo O’Farrill and Alejandro Sanz.
Lizana’s live shows have been described as a “breathtaking journey from flamenco roots to contemporary jazz”, with his soulful lyrics carrying messages of optimism and sincerity to his audiences access the globe.
Antonio Lizana – Vocals and saxophone | Adriano Lozano – Guitar
and and backing vocals | Ismael Alcina – Bass and backing vocals
| Vincent Thomas – Drums | El Mawi – Flamenco dancing and
backing vocals
Afro Dizzi Act (Australia)
Born as an adventurous jam band in Brisbane in the late 1990s, Afro Dizzi Act is known to be one of the best fusion bands to ever come out of Australia, and is celebrated as one of the country’s premier festival bands. From an early sound that blended in hip-hop as well as drum and bass, the band took on influences from jazz and world music as its growing reputation took the musicians to new places, arriving at World Beat Festival that comprises a dizzying variety of musical traditions and a mind-opening global perspective.
Afro Dizzi Act has headlined top Australian festivals such as the Big Day Out and the Byron Bay Bluesfest, performed in Dubai, toured the Northeast of India, and played at the first edition of Jazzmandu in 2002. This year, to celebrate Jazzmandu’s 20th anniversary, the band will be performing alongside Navin Chettri of the Cadenza Collective to revive early days of the annual jazz festival.
Nick Aggs – Saxophone | Shannon Sol Carroll – Guitar |
Oj Newcomb – Bass | Navin Chettri – Drums |
Matt Ledgar – Percussions
Cadenza Collective (Nepal)
Cadenza Collective, spearheaded by drummer and composer Navin Chettri, has been blending Jazz, Afro-funk, and Nepali folk into an irresistible sound to get your groove on. Formed in 1998, Cadenza was one of the first bands to experiment with jazz in the Kathmandu Valley, at a time when rock and pop music dominated the music scene. Cadenza broke the mould and has evolved into a mature and experienced collective of musicians and music educators.
Their music has pumped vitality into the improvised music scene in Nepal and beyond through regular performances with both classical and western musicians. With 5 albums to date showcasing their original music, their latest, Back to the Roots, won Best Pop/Rock Composition for their song “Namaste”, and Best Pop/Rock Album of the Year at the 2014 Nepal Hits FM Music Awards.
Navin Chettri – Vocals and Drums | Rajat Rai – Guitar |
Samir Chettri – Bass | InapRaj Shrestha – Tenor Sax |
Pravin Chhetri – Alto Sax
Samundra (Nepal)
Samundra is a band of musicians and sarangi players known for their performances of Nepali folk fusion music. Formed in 2004, the band stays true to the age-old traditional folk music of the Gandharba community. They recompose authentic Nepali tunes in new forms, updating the cherished old music for contemporary taste.
They also educate people on traditional music through their YouTube channel, making it accessible for all. Anil Gandharba also teaches how to use sarangi on their channel. This band is passionate about promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Nepal through their music.
Anil Gandharba - Sarangi | Arbajo Buddha Gandharba - Sarangi |
Ramkrishna Gandharba - Flute/Arbajo | Samsher Gandharba -
Madal | Arjun Gandharba - Madal | Raju Gandharba - Percussion
Dhrupad Gurukul (Nepal)
Dhrupad is a form of Hindustani classical music that is distinguished by its emphasis on maintaining the purity of ragas and swaras.
Vishal Bhattarai joined hands with his gurubhai Inoue Sou to establish Dhrupad Gurukul Kathmandu, and the duo has been performing and teaching Dhrupad in Nepal for the last decade. Their performance at Jazzmandu will be joined by the renowned pakhawaj player Mukesh Shakya, and two students currently training under the Gurukul.
SCHEDULE
Jazz for the Next Generation
Thursday, 24 October
11AM- 1:30PM
Closed Invitation
St Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel
Groovin’ at Upstairs
Thursday, 24 October
7PM – 9PM
Rs1,000
Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat
Valley Jams
Friday, 25 October
6:30PM – 9PM
Rs800
Simultaneously at:
Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat
Electric Pagoda, Thamel
Eden, Jhamsikhel
La Terrasse, Chundevi
Hard Rock Cafe, Durbar Marg
Jazz Bazaar
Saturday, 26 October
3PM – 10PM
Rs1,600
Gokarna Forest Resort
Sounds of Flamenco Jazz and Afro-Beat
Monday, 28 October
7PM – 9PM
Rs2,000
Lawn by Nanglo, Jhamsikhel
Jazz at Patan
Tuesday, 29 October
7PM – 9PM
Rs2,000
Dhokaima Cafe, Patan
Jazzmandu Finale
Wednesday, 30 October
5:30PM - 10PM
Rs1,800
The Malla Hotel, Lainchaur