KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 10

After a bright and energetic morning at St. Xavier's, the mood shifted to something quieter and more intimate in the evening. As the sun set over Lazimpat, people began making their way up the familiar staircase to Jazz Upstairs, one of Kathmandu's oldest and most iconic jazz bars. Inside, the lights were dim, the air warm, and the atmosphere easy, the perfect contrast to the high-energy start of Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2025 earlier in the day.

By 7 pm, the small room was comfortably full. People chatted over plates of snacks and glasses of beer, leaning into conversations as soothing bursts of drums and saxophone filled the space. The crowd was mixed, long-time jazz followers, new listeners, foreigners and locals intertwined. Among them was Kate from the UK, who has been attending Surya Nepal Jazzmandu for years. 'I came last year and knew I had to come back. The vibes, the people, the music, I love everything about it.'

The evening's performance, Groovin' at Upstairs, featured Cadenza Collective and friends in a spontaneous jam session. The music felt unhurried and deeply rooted in the camaraderie between musicians who know each other's rhythms well.

Navin Chhetri, the drummer, composer, and founder of Jazzmandu, reflected on the significance of the moment. 'Music brings everybody together,' he said. 'That's why everyone should come, because no matter what you speak or where you're from or what music you listen to, it all blends here, and that's the beauty of Jazzmandu.'

Outside, the streets of Lazimpat were calm, but inside Jazz Upstairs, the evening lingered with the soft hum of conversation and the fading echo of a saxophone line. Tomorrow, October 11, the festival heads outdoors with 'Jazz Bazaar' at Gokarna Forest Resort, an all-day event from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The open-air concert will feature a lineup of Nepali and international artists performing under the trees, alongside food, drinks, and a free shuttle service from Kamal Pokhari and Boudha. It promises a day of music, relaxation, and the easy magic that has come to define Surya Nepal Jazzmandu.