The finale which took place at the Shambala Gardens of Hotel Shangri-La had an assortment of bands playing their sets and jamming together towards the showdown.[break]
The Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2011 was a six-day fiesta that began with the Jazz for the Next Generation Music Competition on Thursday, October 20. The winning band for the competition was All My Friends, a trio having Abhishek Bhadra, Ian Eustis, and Kiran Shahi.
The competition was followed by the Valley Jam sessions that gripped the whole of Kathmandu. International performances spread across the Valley that day with Bconnected from Switzerland performing at Moksh in Jhamsikel, Neighbourhood from Sweden, known for their pulsating grooves with an energetic fusion of jazz, funk and soul, swaying the audiences at the House of Music in Thamel; and Jazz Upstairs in Lazimpat receiving the Afro-Latin flavors of jazz from The Cuban League.
The next day was the highly anticipated Jazz Bazaar at the serene Gokarna Forest Resort. The eight-hour Jazz Marathon got a melodious start with the local Gandharva and later went on to becoming a electrifying Jazz fusion with international and local bands.
Renowned Australian saxophonist Nick Aggs performed with The Cadenza Collective and wowed the crowd with their fusion of Nepali classical and folk influences, jazz, afrobeat and funk.
Alongside were performances by Window Seat from India and The Cuban League, a trio having the top New York bassist Yunior Terry, adventurous young pianist Alex Tosca Laugart, and vocalist Xiomara Laugart, from Cuba.
Afro Latin Jam was up next. A night featuring authentic Afro Cuban sounds of the Caribbean with the Cuban League, followed by Jazzmandu Artists was the highlight of the evening on the fourth day.
Day 5 was the Jazz at Patan event featuring Cadenza and Friends and the Jazz Masterclass. While the master class was an educational feature of the concert series, the Patan Museum event was a jazz fusion between Nepali and international bands. The exotic performance was worth remembering.
On the final day, the festival then culminated into a thundering finale – The Finale BIG JAM!!
Musicians created such high-energy music and groovy sounds that the audiences danced the night away. Bconnected, Neighbourhood, Window Seat, the Cadenza Collective, and Nick Aggs all played their sets and then came together to perform a delightful fusion of musical energy and improvisations.
All in all, this year’s concert lineup featured an assortment of jazz styles—from authentic Afro Cuban sounds, Afrobeat, Afro Dizzi Acts, and funk melodies. There was something to appeal to all jazz lovers – and inspire new fans.
Now on to Jazzmandu 2012!
Related story
Come
