What are your hopes from Jazzmandu?
Julie: I hope to meet the wonderful people of Kathmandu and good musicians in an amazing place.
What is the kind of music your respective bands play?
John: Our music is accessible but something that you have not heard before. It is an organic blend of jazz, funk and new music.
Julie: Yaite Ramos Quartet presents music that is a sort of fusion of Afro, Cuban, Latin and Funk vibe.
The Claudia Quintet. (Photo Courtesy: JAZZMANDU)
What is the soul of Jazz music, in your opinion?
Julie: I’d say it includes improvisation, gospel, passion, blues and love.
John: For me, it is about being open to a new sound; something that you have not heard before and has no name (yet).
Who have been the most inspiring musicians for the band and for you?
Julie: Some of the artists who’ve been inspiring are Orlando Maraca Valle, Carlos Miguel Hernandes, Beyoncé, Bob Marley, Irakere and Erika Badu.
John: John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, G Ligeti, Wayne Shorter, Roy Haynes, Bob Brookmeyer and Meredith Monk have been inspiring.
Music festivals are the most convenient way to meet different artists at once. What are you hoping to learn from the artists you meet here?
Julie: We would like to share our music and also do some jam sessions with the artists. We’re especially looking to meet different people from all over the world, listen to some new sounds, new languages and different music for which jazz festivals are great. Kathmandu is a perfect place for that!
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