Formally known as Surya Nepal International Kathmandu Jazz Festival, the weeklong event is taking place from November 1 to 7 this year. The festival was first held in 2002; therefore, making this year’s event the 10th anniversary of Jazzmandu.[break]
Samir Chhetri, media coordinator of the event, says that there has been significant development since the inception of the event. “Earlier, the majority of the audience used to foreigners, but now Nepali crowd is also growing proficiently,” he says.
The performances by renowned international Jazz musicians alongside native bands make Jazzmandu the most awaited event for the music aficionados. Following its legacy, Tito Puente Jr. and Marlow Rosado from the USA will be headlining this year’s jazz festival.
The festival is also an opportunity for aspiring Nepali bands to perform with the famous artists. Selected through a competition titled “Jazz for the Next Generation,” the final band gets to perform in the finale.
“The winning band also gets to interact with other musicians and participate in the private workshop facilitated by the international artists,’ says Chhetri.
Apart from the headliner artists, other bands from Norway, France, Thailand, India and Nepal will be performing at the event. This year, the audience will have a big treat as all the artists will take to the stage together and will perform as “Jazzmandu Big Band.”
The Week brings you the exclusive schedules of Jazzmandu and brief bios of the bands performing in the festival:
BEAT KAESTLI
Beat Kaestli is an internationally acclaimed vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer. In 1993, he moved from Switzerland to New York, leaving behind a promising singing career in his homeland, and was awarded a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music (BM).
While honing his craft alongside such noteworthy Jazz performers as Jane Monheit, Jason Moran and Stefon Harris, he immersed himself in Manhattan’s fiercely competitive music scene, emerging as a seasoned performer.
He now appears in clubs such as The Blue Note, The Birdland, The Bitter End, The Jazz Standard, and The Stone, performing with Jazz greats like Esperanza Spalding, Jon Hendricks, Gregoire Maret, Joel Frahm, Billy Drummond, Magos Herrera, and Hendrik Meurkens. Since the release of his acclaimed CD “Happy, Sad and Satisfied” in 2006, he is touring the world extensively with his own projects, showcasing his music in renowned clubs and at festivals across the US, Europe, Mexico, Central America and Canada.
MARLOW ROSADO
(Headliner)
From salsa to rock, from merengue to hip-hop, from bachata to reggaeton, producer/composer/pianist Marlow Rosado has had his musical hand in all of it. A native of Puerto Rico, he is a salsero at heart but has successfully written, played and produced hits in a variety of musical styles for some of the most renowned artists in Latin music.
From the driving rock tracks he co-wrote on Alejandra Guzman’s “Lipstick,” (nominated for Best Rock Album of the Year by both the American and Latin Grammys), to the emotionally charged Yolandita Monge production, “Sentimiento Borinqueño,” written as a love letter to his homeland.
His favorite self compositions include “Me Dejo En El Aire” and “Un No Se Que,” being recorded by the legendary El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico. Recently, he arranged and directed the horns sessions for Ricky Martin’s new production.
He’s continually sought out by Latin artists for his musical arrangement skills, his aggressive montunos on the piano, as well as his ability to direct orchestras for artists such as the late Salsa legend Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Jr., Tito Nieves, and many others. It isn’t uncommon to see Marlow’s name on CD liner notes, whether it’s as a pianist, producer, songwriter or musical director.
TITO PUENTE JR (Headliner)
Tito Puente Puente, Jr. is determined to nurture the musical legacy left by his father. Son of legendary mambo musician Tito Puente, he carries his father with him, be it his looks, joy or his music.
Tito Puente, Jr. has become a favorite entertainer in casinos, performing arts centers and jazz festivals nationwide. He’s played to sellout audiences at numerous Harrah’s Resort Casinos, including Rincon in San Diego, Ak-Chin in Phoenix, and the Rio in Las Vegas.
While not totally jazzy in his delivery, Tito Jr. has nevertheless wowed jazz festivals. He has also appeared as a guest of the Dallas Symphony Pops, and will join the San the Antonio Symphony for three concerts in their upcoming season.
His latest CD, “In My Father’s Shoes,” featuring classic Puente favorites, was spun off into a television special tribute by BET Jazz.
NO JAZZ
Formed from the meeting of musicians from different backgrounds, No Jazz was born in 2001. With an explosive debut album released in 2002, a handful of remixes and colorful worship concerts around the hexagon and the planet, No Jazz became a phenomenon in a few years whose fame has spread like wildfire in the international music networks.
The group has performed in more than 50 countries and in major festivals. No Jazz has always developed around their multiple accomplices. In 2012, the adventure continued for No Jazz and friends with the release of a live album in 10 years and a sunset tour which proposed to extend the No Jazz guests.
ADIL MANUEL AND VASUNDHARA VIDALUR
Adil Manuel and Vasundhara Vidalur lead a collaborative outfit based out of New Delhi, India. Extensively working with artists based in India and abroad, their focus has been the creation of new sounds and energies through collaboration, exchange and cross-influence.
Their musical spectrum spans Jazz Fusion, Funk, R&B, Blues and Gospel. Both of them have been playing together for over three years now – as a duo early on but mainly as a quartet ever since.
They have worked with musicians from Turkey, France, Spain, Germany, Bulgaria, Italy, Argentina, Brunei, the Reunion Islands, the USA, and counting. With their varied influences and an ever-evolving sound, Adil and Vasundhara continue to experiment and record extensively. Their EP was released in May 2010 and they have also just finished recording their debut album Ampersand at Yashraj Studios in Mumbai.
CADENZA COLLECTIVE
Cadenza’s sound is comprised of elements from a wide array of world musical styles such as Nepali Classical and Folk, with a blend of Afrobeat, Funk and experimental music for both the mind and soul, delighting audiences from all walks of life. The group includes Navin Chhetri on vocals/drums, Rajat Rai on guitars, Samir Chhetri on bass and Pravin Chhetri on sax. Cadenza will be back home in Nepal, bringing musicians living in the US, Germany and Nepal together to create a unique and refreshing brand of high energy music.
RAJAT RAI, GUITARS
Born and brought up in Darjeeling, Rai started playing from a very early age. He was inspired by his father who is also a guitar player and musician. In pursuit of making a career in music, he came to Kathmandu in 2002 where he found the opportunity to perform in several famous places. He then joined the famous jazz band Cadenza, the oldest and most famous Nepali jazz ensemble in town where he performed regular gigs at “The Jazz Upstairs.”
Besides that, he also performs with “April Rush,” an acoustic band where he accompanies them on guitars and also back-up vocals. He’s been regularly participating in the Jazzmandu held every year and has performed with several international artists and groups such as the Norwegian Big Band “Ibsen”(in 2005).
He teaches guitar at the KJC (Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory) and looks after three major combos: Rock Combo (a.k.a Broken Butterfly), Jazz Combos 1 & 2. He also heads the Soul & Jazz-Funk band Street Life Collective and the Jazz band Silver Wind Quartet.
SUZY & 2 and KATHMANDU
Suzy&2 is a jazz/pop trio from Norway that combines original compositional material with African traditional instruments. The group includes Cecilie Giskemo, a vocalist who also plays instruments such as mbira nyunganyunga and kalimba, Asbjørn Lerheim on the guitar and Siri Kvambe, another vocalist who plays the instruments melodica and glockenspiel.
With this as a basic structure, Cecilie Giskemo and Siri Kvambe are notable for creating beautiful music together along with collaborations with musicians from all over the world. This year, the trio has been fortunate enough to collaborate with the fantastic musicians Prabhu Raj Dhakal on the vocals, Rabin Lal Shrestha who plays the tabla and Australian Marcus Dengate on the double bass.
Together, the project Suzy&2 & Kathmandu have created an exceptional concert with fusions of jazz, Norwegian, African and Eastern musical traditions.
ROOTMAN
Rootman is a ten-piece ensemble that plays with high-energy Funk, Groove, Jazz, R&B, Soul. The band was formed in 2008 by Teerapoj Plitakul, Thai keyboardist, and Ernie Udoom, vocalist and saxophonist after Teerapoj met Ernie performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival 2001 with the Funk Groove band from Geneva, PPA+.
Rootman has played at Jazz festivals and jazz parties throughout the country, including the Thailand International Jazz Conference, Bangkok Jazz Festival, Hua-Hin Jazz Festival, Overtone Music Bar (Bangkok), Saxophone Jazz Bar (Bangkok), among others.
Jazz Calendar
JAZZ FOR THE NEXT GENERATION MUSIC COMPETITION
Date : 1st November, Thursday
Show Time : 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Venue : KJC, Jhamsikhel
Free entry (limited seating)
Three selected finalists will perform for the crowd and the panel of judges, consisting of visiting Jazzmandu artists. One outstanding band will be picked to perform at Jazz Bazaar along with top Jazz artists from around the world, plus win an opportunity to interact and engage in a private workshop with Jazzmandu musicians.
VALLEY JAMS
Date : 2nd November, Friday
Show Time : 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
(Gates open at 7.00pm and close at 8.00pm)
Ticket : Rs 400
The valley will resound with the sounds of jazz! Different venues in Kathmandu will feature performances by various Jazzmandu artists. Take your pick and go where your favorite band will be jammin!
JAZZ BAZAAR
Date : 3rd November, Saturday
Show Time : 2:30pm to 10:00pm
Venue : Gokarna Forest Resort
(Gates open at 1:30pm and close at 7:00pm)
Ticket : Rs 899
Getaway from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and be surrounded by the lush, serene Gokarna Forest Resort and great music! A marathon of jazz and traditional Nepalese folk and classical music performed by international and Nepali musicians.
Jazzmandu T-shirts and souvenirs will be on sale. No outside food and beverages or pets allowed. Free shuttle bus service available every hour from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Shuttle bus pick-up point, outside Hyatt Regency gate, Boudha. Free return shuttle bus available between 10:00pm - 11:00pm, drop to Lazimpat. (Please note: the availability of seats in the shuttle bus is not guaranteed)
AFRO-LATIN JAZZ
Date : 4th November, Sunday
Show Time : 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Venue : Hotel Shangri-La (Bagaicha), Lazimpat
(Gates open at 6.30pm and close at 8.00pm)
Ticket : Rs. 899
A night of Salsa, featuring authentic Afro-Cuban sounds of the Caribbean with Tito Puente Jr., son of the amazing Tito Puente, king of Salsa and Marlow Rosado, Grammy award nominee, pianist and producer, accompanied by the Jazzmandu All-Star Big Band. Followed with a jam with Jazzmandu musicians.
JAZZMANDU MASTER CLASS
Date : 6th November, Tuesday
Show Time : 3:00pm to 4:30pm
Venue : KJC (Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory), Jhamsikhel
Free entry (limited seating)
The Jazzmandu master class is an opportunity for music students & jazz enthusiasts to interact with visiting musicians, share their experience and stories and learn different instrumental tips and techniques.
JAZZ AT PATAN
Date : 6th November, Tuesday
Show Time : 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Venue : Patan Museum Square, Patan.
(Gates open at 5:00pm please be seated by 5:45pm)
Ticket : Rs.1299/-
Featuring : Cadenza and Friends
An evening of Nepali classical music fused with Jazz at a historic and magical venue with a rich and soulful ambience. International musicians bring out their musical ideas and backgrounds with Nepal’s top-notch classical musicians and jazz band, Cadenza.
JAZZMANDU FINALE
Date : 7th October, Wednesday
Show Time : 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Venue : TBA
Ticket : Rs. 999
(Gates open at 4:30pm, please be seated by 5:15pm)
The Finale BIG JAM!! Musicians from different bands play their sets and later jam together, creating a high-energy, improvised musical treat.
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