KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 12

The green expanse of Gokarna Forest Resort turned into a stage of sound and sunlight on Saturday as Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2025 continued with its signature open-air event, Jazz Bazaar. It was a day that felt more like a picnic than a concert, families, friends, and festival regulars stretched out on mats, children ran between food stalls, and the mix of locals and foreigners gave the scene an easy, communal rhythm.

The afternoon began with mohs., the Swiss nu-jazz quartet whose textured, atmospheric sound set a mellow tone for the day. Their blend of acoustic instruments and electronic layers floated across the lawns, drawing people closer to the stage. Next came Leona Berlin, who brought warmth and introspection to the crowd with her smooth vocals and soulful lyrics. Before performing Who, she explained that the song was about finding light when you feel lost, a sentiment that seemed to fit the day's relaxed, reflective mood. 'Every crowd is different and unique,' she said later. 'It's hard to compare, but this one was really fun. I even had three more songs planned, but sometimes it's so spontaneous that the time just isn't enough.'

A Nepali classical fusion performance followed, blending traditional melodies with improvisation, before Cadenza Collective took the stage for the evening's final set. Their Afro-funk rhythms brought the audience to its feet, with people dancing, clapping, and moving closer to the front as the sun dipped behind the trees.

In the crowd, Letitia, a French woman who has been working in a french institute in Kathmandu for a year, described why she chose to spend her Saturday at Jazz Bazaar. 'It's my second year,' she said. 'Last time, I went to Jazz Upstairs, which was indoors. This time, I wanted to enjoy the day in a green space with friends, and it's perfect.'

Abhijeet from Bhaktapur, attending for the first time, shared the same sentiment. 'My friend told me about it and got the tickets,' he said. 'My son's having a good time, and I'm enjoying myself too.'

As the last notes faded and the sky turned dark, the festival's outdoor heartbeat felt alive and unhurried: a reminder that Jazzmandu isn't just about listening, but about being together.

Tomorrow, October 14, the festival moves to Yalamaya Kendra in Patan for Jazz at Patan, an evening that will bring Nepali classical music into conversation with jazz, featuring vocalist Jonisha Poudel and Samundra Band.