Besides Dasain-Tihar-Chhath Nepal is known for a fourth annual autumn festival: Jazzmandu. The event has grown since its inception in 2002 with new and prolific artists from across the globe flying into Kathmandu to showcase their talent and experience the unique atmosphere of the Valley. The melange of chosen venues reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of Nepal as well as the performers from around the world. Surya Nepal Jazzmandu this year encapsulated and perpetuated the power of music and its ability to bring people together. From the pulsating groove of Plurism’s African rhythm and the mellow emotive voice of Lucile Chriqui to the bright tones of Samundra band’s rendition of Nepali folk music, this year’s jazz reflected the diversity of this music genre. A free concert for the students of St Xavier's School gave students exposure to the unique delights of jazz. There were concerts at Jazz Upstairs and the Dutch group Under The Surface performing at Electric Pagoda with experimental electronic sound. Multinational Forro performed at Jazz Upstairs while Swiss South African group Faku took on an intimate set at EDN in Sanepa.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231111031148_0218034eabe8f4742526ba8f477548fc840c797cc3db8c0f603f1f20f0937a97.jpg" data-media-id="editor_0" data-image-id="20231111031148_0218034eabe8f4742526ba8f477548fc840c797cc3db8c0f603f1f20f0937a97" data-rendition-name="original" width="1500" height="1000" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu"> </figure>  The Jazz Bazaar at Gokarna Forest Resort gave guests a captivating musical showcase with the full Jazzmandu line-up. The historic Baber Mahal heard the rich tradition of Brazilian music. The penultimate evening in Patan was a culmination of the week with both foreign and Nepali artists performing a magical fusion of Nepali classical music and jazz. The festival attracted a diverse audience from Kathmandu residents, tourists and expats. Said deputy EU ambassador Joëlle Hivonnet: “Jazzmandu is getting better every year. Although it does not attract world-renowned artists like Motreux or Marcia, it manages to bring upcoming artists and covers a variety of styles. I particularly enjoy bands that mix Nepali and western Instruments.” The Lucile Chriqui quartet, a formidable new force in French Jazz, ascribed their experience of Jazzmandu and Nepali culture as an experience like no other: “It feels like being on tour in one city.” The band held a charity concert to raise funds for the burn victims at the Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital. “It was amazing to perform for such an important cause. We realised the power of music as a tool for connection,” said Chriqui.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231109101144_9f276596e90a0c96204f75c1b18f2ecb05cf28c531cbdc22c8c0a3a73109deba.jpg" data-media-id="editor_1" data-image-id="20231109101144_9f276596e90a0c96204f75c1b18f2ecb05cf28c531cbdc22c8c0a3a73109deba" data-rendition-name="original" width="2000" height="1334" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu"> <figcaption>Lucile Chriqui</figcaption> </figure>  The band wants to take back to Paris the special energy and friendliness they experienced from the Nepali volunteers which inspired them to try and connect more with tourists visiting their own country, and the unique pace of life in Kathmandu especially compared to Paris where “one hour feels like a minute”. Chriqui also hopes to continue to experiment sonically, inspired by the timbre of Nepali traditional instruments. “Maybe I’ll also take home a singing bowl too,” she quips. Next year Nepal’s pioneering music event will turn 20. Co-founder Navin Chettri says, “Initially, we were met with some reluctance and confusion regarding jazz but now there is no need to explain, Jazzmandu has put both jazz and Kathmandu on the map.” When asked what’s in store for the special 20th anniversary, Chettri replied gleefully: “No spoilers.” &nbsp; <h2>Jazz at the Gate</h2> In contrast to other Jazzmandu evenings, where the setlist was structured to showcase each act separately, ‘Jazz at Patan’ on 7 November celebrated the cultural exchange between jazz and Nepali classical sounds with musicians from around the world.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/20231111031148_b06d5c6058914a65a5f1e1a35b7d37eeebafdf149a026b330adbc2774caf8e93.jpg" data-media-id="editor_2" data-image-id="20231111031148_b06d5c6058914a65a5f1e1a35b7d37eeebafdf149a026b330adbc2774caf8e93" data-rendition-name="original" width="1500" height="1000" loading="lazy" alt="Jazzmandu"> </figure>  The meticulous fusion of repertoires and celebration of cultures abandoned the formulaic composition of ‘mainstream’ music structure, and transgressed genre to create a spiritual and meditative sound described by attendees as “grounding”, “unique” and “irreplicable”. The lantern-lit, well-catered evening at Yala Maya Kendra facilitated an intimate experience for attendees who put stress and hunger aside allowing the technical prowess, professionalism, and self-expression of the bands to remain the focal point of the evening. Artist Sisonke Xonti highlighted the privilege of performing in front of a live crowd again, a crowd that another artist Nick Aggs described as “the best at Jazzmandu”. “In order to celebrate the unique sound of each artist, there needs to be a reciprocated level of intimacy and respect between artist and audience,” added Aggs. Singer Lucile Chriqui was left feeling that the crowd was “truly listening and connected”. She added: “So much energy, so much love represented the very essence of Jazzmandu, which is to connect with people and demonstrate that music is a divine, universal language”. Guests felt transcendental: one concertgoer was in disbelief at the ability of the artists to champion all instruments and voices and extolled the “inexplicable” connection she felt between everyone within the 100-year-old Rana-era courtyard. The evening ended with a standing ovation, and the crowd ambled out of the venue still processing the magic of what they had witnessed. Jazz at Patan had a multicultural audience, and celebrated the oneness of humanity and was an event to be experienced at least once in a lifetime. Uma Dhital

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Jazzing up the ‘Mandu for 20 years

<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111414110/63723c129c7e80680e0c95fajpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683"/>The wait is over: the annual Surya Nepal Kathmandu Jazz Festival is back in town after a two-year Covid hiatus, spreading the message of peace and compassion through music.Begun in 2002 and founded by Chhedup Bomzan of The Jazz Upstairs Bar and Navin Chettri, drummer and vocalist of Cadenza, ‘Jazzmandu’ is in its 18th year and keeps alive its aim to bring quality jazz to Nepal, transcending cultural boundaries with world-famous musicians getting together in Kathmandu for a week of entertainment this festive season.Just as jazz incorporates elements from folk and traditional music, adding unique melodies and modulations, Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2022 showcases the best that the genre has to offer in a vibrant cultural exchange.Line-up includes the Jamie Baum Sextet from the USA, Jin Jim from Germany, Catia Werneck from Brazil and France, and Yumi Ito from Switzerland. Nepal’s very own Jonisha Poudel, Cadenza Collective and Samundra Band will also perform.Read also: <a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/jazzing-up-in-kathmandu,3316">Jazz it up ‘Mandu</a>, Sahina Shrestha<a href="http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=4306#.W9Ktg3szbIV">All that Jazz</a>Over the years, the jazz festival has been putting Nepal on the world music map, bringing the exquisite international sounds of jazz to Nepalis and taking Nepali musicians to the world. Twenty years ago, there were only a handful of jazz musicians in Nepal, but now aspirant instrumentalists queue to learn the style at the Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. Here too, jazz has developed into a dazzling form of art, with its own distinct identity.The festival promises to enrich lives, promote creativity, encourage sharing of international sounds and ideas, pushing the limits and boundaries of musical expectations, nurturing the talents of Nepali musicians.“I hope that over the years, Jazzmandu has had a positive impact on our youth and evolving music culture,” says Nabin Chhetri, artistic director of Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2022 and member of Cadenza. “We have a special free concert just for young students every year and this year we are also bringing back the Jazz for the Next Generation music competition.”There is also a three-day free sound workshop from 10 to 12 October with a sound engineer from Switzerland. The theme this year is ‘Music for unity, peace and compassion’ and the festival runs from 13-19 October across many venues in the Valley.<hr/><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111414110/63723c169c7e80680e0c95fbjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1811">The Jamie Baum Sextet (USA)Widely considered among the top jazz flutists and composers in the world, Jamie brings to Jazzmandu some of the most compelling musicians from the New York jazz scene today.Jamie’s passion for South Asian music was heightened over several tours in the region between 2001 and 2009, including two visits to Jazzmandu. She wrote “Honouring Nepal: The Shiva Suite”, commissioned by the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art, to pay tribute to Nepal after the 2015 earthquake and performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 2016. Now, “The Shiva Suite” is coming to Nepal for the first time.<a href="https://jamiebaum.com/">www.jamiebaum.com</a>Jamie Baum – flute, compositionsKenny Warren – trumpetBrad Shepik – guitarZack Lober – bassJulian Shore – pianoJeff Hirshfield – drumsCatia Werneck (Brazil/France)Born into a family of musicians in Rio de Janeiro, Catia began to sing and play from a young age before touring abroad and moving to Paris to further her career. Starting with an early collaboration in France with the Boto Novos Tempos collective, she has gone on to tour across the world and perform at major international jazz festivals.She continues to perform and record in Brazil, showcasing her mastery and creativity in the styles of bossa nova, samba, jongo (a forerunner to samba), and more.<a href="https://jazzmandu.org/_wp_link_placeholder">www.catiawerneck.com</a>Catia Werneck – vocalsNoé Chantraine – piano/keyboardsBenjamin Asnar – bassNavin Chettri – drums<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111414110/63723c199c7e80680e0c95fcjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1811"><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111414110/63723c1c9c7e80680e0c95fdjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="2000" height="1600">Yumi Ito (Switzerland)The destruction of Earth, the committal of a friend to a psychiatric hospital, the death of her unknown neighbour from heroin use — Yumi weaves into her music stories about society that matter, no matter how large or small, how bright or dark.Her sound — an amalgam of jazz, art-pop, electronica, free improvisation and neo-classical music — might seem tricky but really isn’t: the musician, composer, producer and arranger navigates a clear stylistic path of her own making, always telling a story along the way.<a href="https://www.yumiito.ch/">www.yumiito.ch</a>Yumi Ito – vocals, compositionsKuba Dworak – bassIago Fernandez – drumsJin Jim (Germany)“Vertical lift-off” is how the broadcaster NDR described Jin Jim’s meteoric rise on the German jazz scene. In 2013, the same year Jin Jim was founded, the band was voted by the public into the finals of the JazzTube Festival in Bonn.Jin Jim’s sound is powered by a mix of latin, jazz and rock influences that create a rhythmically complex yet harmonically accessible whole.<a href="https://jinjim.com/">www.jinjim.com</a>Daniel Manrique Smith – C/alto/ bass fluteJohann May – guitarBen Tai Trawinski – double bassNico Stallmann – drums<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111414110/63723c209c7e80680e0c95fejpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683"><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111414110/63723c239c7e80680e0c95ffjpeg.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1707">Cadenza Collective (Nepal)With a signature blend of jazz, afro-funk and Nepali folk music, Cadenza Collective plays music that’s irresistible for your ears and your booty. Led by the drummer and composer Navin Chettri, the group boasts a hard-driving performance style and has amassed six albums of original music.In addition to pumping up the improvised music scene in Nepal, Cadenza has played across the world and collaborated with a stellar list of both Western and traditional Nepali musicians.<a href="http://www.cadenzacollective.com/">www.cadenzacollective.com</a>Navin Chettri – lead vocals/ drums/percussionPravin Chettri – alto saxophone/vocalsRajat Rai – guitar/vocalsSamir Chettri – bass/vocalsSamundra Band (Nepal)Formed in 2004, Samundra celebrates and safeguards the Gandharba community’s long tradition of performing Nepali folk music. Holding firm to typical folk instruments, the ensemble plays age-old Nepali tunes recomposed in new forms, updating cherished old music for contemporary tastes.<a href="http://www.samundraband.blogspot.com/">www.samundraband.blogspot.com</a>Anil Gandharba – sarangiSubash Gandharba – bansuriPujan Gandharba – madalRamkrishnaGandharba – arbajoBuddha Gandharba – kartal<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111414110/63723c269c7e80680e0c9600jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="2022"><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/2022111414110/63723c2a9c7e80680e0c9601jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1811">Jonisha Poudel (Nepal)As a gifted exponent of khayal, the preeminent genre of Hindustani classical music, Jonisha Poudel has already made a deep mark at a young age. Trained under the guidance of Shree K.C., one of Nepal’s most respected khayal and dhrupad vocalists, she has won multiple honours and performed at many prestigious classical music festivals.Her talent ranges beyond classical music as well: she has recorded hit songs for the Nepali film industry and been the lead vocalist for the band Vastu.<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Jonishapoudelofficial/">www.facebook.com/jonishapoudelofficial</a>Jonisha Poudel – vocalsSantosh Bhakta – ishrajShree K.C. – harmoniumNimesh Kapali – tabla<hr/>Jazz for the Next GenerationConcert for Young Students / Music CompetitionDate: Thursday, 13 OctoberTime: 11:00am – 1:30pmVenue: Malpi College, GairidharaEntry by invitation only! Groovin’ at UpstairsDate: Thursday, 13 OctoberTime: 7:00pm – 9:00pmVenue: Jazz Upstairs, LazimpatPrice: Rs700Gates open at 6:30pm.Cadenza Collective gather new and old friends for an explosive jam at Kathmandu's most storied jazz club. Valley JamsDate: Friday, 14 OctoberTime: 7:00pm – 9:00pmPrice: Rs700Gates open at 6:30pm and close at 7:00pm.Venues:Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat – Jamie Baum Sextet (USA)Electric Pagoda, Thamel – Jin Jim (Germany)Evoke, Jhamsikhel – Catia Werneck (Brazil /France)Maitri Marg – Yumi Ito (Switzerland)Visiting Jazzmandu 2022 acts perform intimate sets at venues across the Kathmandu Valley. Jazz BazaarDate: Saturday, 15 OctoberTime: 3:00pm – 10:00pmVenue: Gokarna Forest ResortPrice: Rs1500Gates open at 2:00pm and close at 7:00pm.A day and night of incredible music under an open sky at the lush Gokarna Forest Resort.Sounds of Brazilian Jazz &amp; Nepali Afro-FunkDate: Monday, 17 OctoberTime: 7:00pm – 9:00pmVenue: Aloft, ThamelPrice: Rs1700Gates open at 6:00pm and close at 8:00pm.A classy evening in Thamel with music spanning Brazil, West Africa and Nepal. Jazz at PatanDate: Tuesday, 18 OctoberTime: 7:00pm – 9:00pmVenue: Yalamaya Kendra, Patan DhokaPrice: Rs1700Gates open at 6:30pm and close at 8:00pm.Please be seated by 6:45pm.Nepali classical music fuses with jazz on a magical night in the old city of Patan. Jazzmandu FinaleDate: Wednesday, 19 OctoberTime: 5:30pm – 10:00pmVenue: Hotel Yak &amp; Yeti, Durbar MargPrice: Rs1500Gates open at 4:30pm and close at 8:00pm.The full festival line-up comes together for one last jam to close out Jazzmandu 2022.

And all that Jazzmandu

<figure><img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221108141152/636a5fb79c7e80680e056e43jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="684"/><figcaption>Photos: JAZZMANDU</figcaption></figure>Surya Nepal Jazzmandu will celebrate its 17th anniversary with a week of world-class music from 17 to 23 October. Jazzmandu, or the Kathmandu Jazz Festival, is now an established part of the international jazz scene, and is recognised as among the leading music festivals in South Asia.As always, Jazzmandu’s stages are filled this year with musical talents and traditions from all over the planet. The trio RSxT will keep alive a strong connection between Jazzmandu and the daring music scene in Hamburg. With Paul Tynan and Jake Hanlon, Jazzmandu has Canadian musicians back at the festival for the first time since 2004. The local acts Jooni, The Blue Fret and the Cadenza Collective will represent the great diversity of contemporary Nepali music. Tropic Green is returning to Jazzmandu from Singapore for a second time, having already made a mark here in 2014. From the United States, Jazzmandu 2019 presents Adrian Crookston with the Palouse Forro Experience, playing forro music from the North East of Brazil. And from France, the festival welcomes Faby Medina, an ambassador of the unique musical traditions of her native Guadaloupe.There is also, sadly, an irreplaceable gap in the Jazzmandu line-up this year. The tabla maestro Rabin Lal Shrestha, who played at every single edition of Jazzmandu right from the first one, recently succumbed to illness, in what is a great loss to Nepali music. As Jazzmandu pays tribute to a special musician and friend, Shrestha’s son and students will perform in his honour at the Jazz Bazaar in Gokarna, and the Jazz at the Temple House event will feature a special piece in his memory.Jazzmandu has helped introduce jazz to Nepal, and to seed a vibrant local music scene. The festival makes music education a large part of its mission. Jazzmandu 2019 will begin with a free concert for school children (all schools and individual students interested in attending the event should contact <a href="mailto:info@jazzmandu.org">info@jazzmandu.org</a> as soon as possible), and will also host workshops and masterclasses for upcoming musicians and music enthusiasts. Besides these, the festival will feature a packed week of events, presenting world-class music in some of Kathmandu’s most atmospheric venues for both local and international audiences.<img src="https://superdesk-pro-c.s3.amazonaws.com/sd-nepalitimes/20221108141152/636a5fb99c7e80680e056e44jpeg.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="163">Read Also: <a href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/jazz-returns-to-the-mandu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jazz returns to the ‘Mandu,</a> Sanghamitra Subba<a style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/kathmandu-and-all-that-jazz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kathmandu, and all that jazz …,</a> Sewa Bhattarai<a style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.01em;" href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/Nepali-Times-Buzz/Jazz-comes-home-jazzmandu-festival-kathmandu,3964" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jazz comes home,</a> Shreejana Shrestha

Jazzmandu 2019 kicks off

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Jazzing up the ‘Mandu for 20 years

And all that Jazzmandu

Jazzmandu 2019 kicks off