Republica caught up with Eliane and Ribor Mb of 4th Element via email for a short chat about the jazz festival.
Eliane Amherd
The Swiss singer-songwriter from New York has toured all over the world performing in various international festivals like the International Jazz Festival in Hong Kong, Shenzhen OCT Loft Festival, etc. Eliane, who counts Prince as her inspiration, hopes a lot of music lovers will join the artists for the Jazzmandu concerts.
What is the kind of music you’re particularly known for?
My music is an eclectic mix of all my influences: jazz, funk, Brazilian, Latin music etc.
In your opinion, what is the soul of jazz music?
I believe the soul in jazz music comes from telling a story by the means of improvization and interpretation. Playing your music like you mean it and feel it is also the soul of jazz.
Are you excited to meet anyone in particular at Jazzmandu?
I’m looking forward to meeting Navin Chhetri from Cadenza Collective. Navin, who’s also the organizer of the festival, will play the drums for our band, too.
Photo Courtesy: Jazzmandu
What do you enjoy the most about music tours?
I’ve been on tour since the end of September. I was in China and Thailand earlier, and I am fortunate to meet great musicians and have so many impressions. Nepal will be the last station before I head back to New York and I’m very much looking forward to meet artists, people and get to know Nepal’s culture and Nepal’s jazz scene.
4th Element
The five-member band of 4th Element merges jazz, funk, RnB and soul music for their own distinctive sound. Based in Shillong of Meghalaya in India, the band has taken their music all over India and even performed in Nepal earlier. Ribor Mb, frontman of 4th Element, speaks for the band when he says they’re all excited, a bit nervous and counting the days till their performance in Jazzmandu.
How is the preparation going for Jazzmandu?
As far as preparations are concerned, we are ready, but playing amongst such great artistes and bands is a little nerve racking. We hope to do the best we can and to connect to the audience through our music.
What do your band mates have to say about the festival?
Everyone is excited, and is looking forward to perform. It has always been a dream for each one of us to play here, and for it to finally take place, is a dream come true! Jazzmandu is not only a platform that will help us connect with a different audience but will also challenge and make us strive towards perfection. And the fact that we’re sharing this experience with the best of the bests is like a dream come true!
Is there anyone in particular from the Jazzmandu line up you’re looking forward to meeting the most?
We’re really, especially, looking forward to hearing and observing the beautiful Eliane Amherd (smiles).
What are the band’s expectations from the festival?
We expect nothing but a sense of pride and relief. We’ve done it! With great joy! Because the only reason we’re doing it, is for the love of music and for people to hear what we want to speak about, through our music. We also expect to come back as often as we can.
Can you tell us a little bit about the jazz music scene in India, particularly in the North East?
In Shillong particularly, we are the only band that plays jazz music. So earlier, people weren’t as appreciative as they are now. Apart from the annual Jazzyatra in Delhi, there are hardly any festivals, concerts or shows dedicated to jazz in India.
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