In Dimension Music with NoJazz

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Nobody expected that it would be so happening, foot tapping and danceable. But it was, and it turned out to be a party as the fusion of jazz and electronic music invaded the premises of the Nepal Academy on June 28. Many had stepped on to the empty floor in front of the stage transforming it to a dance floor. And the French band NoJazz kept on fuelling in the fun and dance through their new sound of music — new jazz.

Philippe Sellam (Slam) on saxophone, Philippe Balatier (Balatman) on keys and Pascal Reva (Bilbo) on drums with HKB FiNN on vocals had the audience speechless but dancing to their beats that were jazzy as well as electronic.

Sound synthesiser played by Balatman along with keys produced an electronic sound, while it was Slam who stirred the soulful saxophone sound. And Bilbo kept up the rhythm. However, their repertoire included lots of instrumental and less singing that garnered appreciation from the crowd

nevertheless.

“It was awesome. It was really awesome. Their music was into jazz but not into jazz. And now I know why they are called NoJazz,” Sajin Maharjan form Dhobighat exclaimed about the concert. He had come to know about the international band and international music. And he got what he wanted. For him, it was an experience to treasure.

Yes, the concert was lots of music, fun and dance with a little bit of funny acts on stage by the musicians with flashy get-ups in the backdrop of visual effects. They performed their numbers like Emergency, Higher State and One Note among others.

For Maharjan, Balatman won his heart. “He controlled everything from bass to rhythm. On the whole, they presented advanced yet quality sound using technology,” he shared.

With the NoJazz concert, ends the International Music Week organised by the Alliance Française of Katmandu (AFK). The band was opened by classical band Awaaz, the winner of AFK Music Contest, who touched the crowd with their classical feel through numbers like Rato Ra Chandra, Suna Mero Aatma.

During the event, NoJazz also expressed their ecstasy at their visit to Nepal. Bilbo expressed, “We had never thought that we would play here. But it is such a pleasure to be here.”

According to him, Nepal is a dream come true for anyone in the world.