Kathmandu Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2016 has embarked in its sojourn. It began on a positive note with Concert for School Students held at Alliance Francaise, Tripureshwor, Teku on October 20. Artistes AfuriKo, Janysett McPherson, Rocketmen, Cadenza Collective and Lyrics Born performed for the students for them to experience music from around the world. From Nepali funky jazz music to French jazz to Japanese melody to the taste of Germany, music from different regions reverberated at the venue. And the students of Baba Boarding School, John Dewey School, Premier International School, Kaasthamandap Vidyalaya among others experienced the music on the first day of Kathmandu Jazz Festival, which is to end on October 26. “Students don’t get to see this kind of music at other times. The artistes come once a year from all corners of the world. So, the idea is to listen to music that they have never listened to and open up their minds,” shared Navin Chettri, founder of Jazzmandu that aims to provide music education. He added, “It is important for us  that our children embrace the cultures from the world and to be exposed to the cultures of the world so that they become better human beings.” To give a new taste of music to their students, Kaasthamandap Vidyalaya had brought 40 students to the concert for the first time. “We felt let’s give them a taste of a new type of music that they are not accustomed to,” expressed their teacher Pritee Rai citing, “A few years ago when they had come to our school to perform, the students had enjoyed the music. The students had not seen saxophone and cello before.” Most of the students enjoyed the music that was played. They also danced and interacted with the musicians as well. The musicians, on the other hand, too enjoyed performing for them. Anglo-French pianist and composer Jim Funnell of AfuriKo said after their show, “It was great performing, especially in front of the children because they are so enthusiastic. And they make us feel like rockstars. It was lot of fun.” As per him, “It is important and great to reach all kinds of audience from children to older people. Children are sensitive to music and it is important to perform for them. They give good energy as well.” The other part of AfuriKo, Japanese percussionist Akiko Horii added, “I feel that they understand music and they appreciated it. I thought they gave us great energy.” They played their original composition, Japanese arrangement and French jazz standard.  Their performances included The Other Village and Red Dragonfly. The group is excited about the festival and is sure that they are going to have a nice time. “It is different from other festivals because I feel that it is all about community. It is all about exchanging communities and being a part of it. I feel that the festival is a community and brings people closer together,” shared Horii. The spirit of Jazzmandu is similar to theirs which is why they are here and wanted to be a part of it. Concert for School Students was just the beginning. The Himalayan Times is the exclusive media partner of Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2016.