Jazz today October 23 Sounds of Latin Jazz Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Venue: Hotel Summit, Kupondole Kathmandu On the evening of October 21, the Valley jammed with Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2016. At the Valley Jams, four different corners echoed with music. It was the second day of 14th Kathmandu Jazz Festival which will continue to cater jazz music till October 26. Janysett McPherson Trio mesmerised her audience at Moksh, Jhamsikhel from jazz standard Lush Life to the rendition of Billy Holiday’s God Bless the Child to Turkish Cha Cha to French tunes among others. McPherson’s piano and vocal skills resounded at the event, while drummer and bassist gave groove and foundation to their show. It was the RocketMen from Germany at Manny’s Eatery & Tapas Bar in Jawalakhel who filled the venue with the sounds of piano, saxophone, drums and effects. Enjoying on the stage to the fullest, the quintet gave an ethereal show. And the American rapper Lyrics Born brought the house down at House of Music in Thamel along with his band members — John Monahan on guitar, Max MacVeety on drums, and Uriah Duffy on the bass. Meanwhile at Jazz Upstairs in Lazimpat, original tunes and innovative covers of jazz standards by world jazz African inspired duo AfuriKo energised the crowd, while Australian singer and songwriter Ange Takats set the mood for it with her originals. “This is our first time in Jazzmandu. And it is a beautiful country,” shared McPherson as she made the crowd travel with her “musical influences”. Host Nirakar Yakthumba felt their music was “fantastic. Recently, we have had party type of music for the last four/five years. The band is different.” Moksh has been associated with Jazzmandu and Valley Jams since 2003 to which he added, “It has always been great. Moksh has been a place to promote good music. To have Valley Jams is an honour for us. It is always nice.” He feels that Jazzmandu as a festival is “fantastic which has definitely raised the standard of music in Nepal. It is responsible for opening the eyes of a lot of musicians in Nepal”. Other shows were fantastic too. Samir Chettri, media coordinator of Jazzmandu shared that the show at Jazz Upstairs was “an intimate show with the right amount of audience of about 120 people”. “The show at House of Music was totally packed and some people had to be sent back. Everybody was dancing,” he added on how the Valley jammed and resounded with music. The Himalayan Times is the exclusive media partner of Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2016.