Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2013 - bringing musicians together

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, formally known as the Surya Nepal International Kathmandu Jazz Festival, will once again bring International and Nepali musicians together in the Nepali capital for its 11th edition of “the biggest jazz party in the Himalayas”.

Jazzmandu 2013

Surya Nepal Jazzmandu, formally known as the Surya Nepal International Kathmandu Jazz Festival, will once again bring International and Nepali musicians together in the Nepali capital for its 11th edition of “the biggest jazz party in the Himalayas”.

Since its inception eleven years ago, the festival has grown to become a respected event among music enthusiasts and musicians alike, and an additional attraction for visitors to Nepal. The festival has been instrumental in placing Nepal on the International jazz map and jazz music has now found a place of its own in the heart of the Himalayas.

Over the years, Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has succeeded in not only introducing jazz to Nepal, but also in generating a growing interest for music education and western music traditions. Local musicians who have been exposed to jazz have expanded their creativity, explored new techniques and the freedom of improvisation in playing familiar instruments. The Jazz for the Next Generation competition is now a well established feature of the festival that provides an opportunity for aspiring local young bands to showcase their skills and talent and interact with renowned foreign artists.

The international language of music dismisses narrow socio-cultural divides and cuts across our differences of culture, color, faith, geography to promote peace and compassion in a world in great need of understanding, empathy and tolerance. Surya Nepal Jazzmandu provides an exciting platform for musicians and people of all walks of life to come together through their love of music.

Over the years, the festival has provided free shows for the general public, jazz performances for school students, master classes and workshops by visiting artists for music enthusiasts and students. Over the past eleven years Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has introduced people in Nepal to many great, world-famous jazz artists such as Trilok Gurtu, Louis Banks, Natalie Williams, Ari Hoenig, Tito Puente Jr, Mark Brown Band, and Catia Werneck Quartet to name but a few.

Visiting artists in turn have had the chance to discover and enjoy the rich culture, beauty and diversity of Nepal, to meet and share musical experiences, and jam together with renowned local musicians and other international artists.

The festival presents a unique blend of cultures, musicians and improvisational music to create a magical and unforgettable musical experience in the heart of the Himalayas. Surya Nepal Jazzmandu has successfully brought many reputed musicians from far and wide to the Nepali capital where an ever-growing audience of jazz enthusiasts and music lovers crave quality music. Jazz has permeated cultures all over the world and Surya Nepal Jazzmandu continues to bring musicians from diverse backgrounds to present their unique and refreshing approach to jazz.

This year, the festival features The Claudia Quintet (USA), Mike del Ferro (The Netherlands), Eliane Amherd (Switzerland), Yaite Ramos Quartet (France), 4th Element (India), and from Nepal: Cademza, Gandharva, Joint Family Internationale, the KJC faculty and the Dhime Girls

For more information about the festival and complete artists profiles log on to www.jazzmandu.org.

- EFNI

Jazzmandu 2011 (Kathmandu Jazz Festival)

The soul of a great trip lies in the culture, cuisine, landscape and people of a country. Add to this a unique experience of a musical amalgamation of international and local musicians, and you end up getting a trip that is bound to leave a permanent and exquisite mark of its own. Come October 2011, and the scenic land of Nepal, tucked away in the Himalayan foothills, is all set to come alive to the soulful sound of jazz and the melodic sound of Nepal’s traditional music.

Celebrating its 9th anniversary, Jazzmandu or the Kathmandu Jazz Festival is an international music event annually held in the fascinating land of Nepal. It kick-started in 2002 and is organized by Upstairs Ideas Pvt. Ltd. The concept was built and developed upon by Chhedup Bomzan of The Jazz Upstairs Bar, and Navin Chettri, drummer and vocalist of “Cadenza” (the local jazz outfit).

Jazzmandu has been a platform for many a virtuoso performer from across the globe, like Trilok Gurtu and headliners like Louis Banks, Natalie Williams, Jesse Van Ruller, The Latin Jazz All Stars, Mark Brown Band, and Catia Werneck Quartet to name a few. Sharing stage along with these names are the traditional musicians of Nepal, and the magical feel that accompanies such a performance is an experience not worth missing. Continuing its heritage, this year too, Jazzmandu has an array of awesome talents from various cultural backgrounds and from various countries giving their refreshing and own unique touch to jazz.

Reflecting today's vibrant and cross cultural musical landscape, Jazzmandu is a unique chance to explore the diversity of Nepal’s social and cultural landscape in all its grandeur, the hospitality and warmth of its people, the breath taking landscape of the mighty Himalayas and to also have a world class musical experience. A cross cultural exchange of musical vibes and knowledge provides a rare chance to explore a whole new side of one’s globetrotting.

Since its inception, Jazzmandu has come a long way in developing its core ideas and has continued to strive towards excellence. This festival contributes to the exposure of Nepal to the rest of the world and to the enrichment of its children’s musical growth by organizing free educational music programs, workshops and clinics for school students around Kathmandu every year. It has also contributed towards bridging all gaps and heralding peace through the medium of music...music, which knows no boundaries. Today Jazzmandu in all its glory is one of the most renowned music festivals and is something that should definitely be included in everyone’s “Nepal experience”.

-by Samriddhi Tanti