Kathmandu:

“Simple music is the hardest music to play and blues is a simple music.”

— Albert Collins

The programme started an hour late than the scheduled time due to load shedding. Musicians and audience were patiently waiting for the lights to come back.

Candlelight, cool breeze, pouring rain and the excitement among the blues fans present their created a perfect ambience for the evening and no one was complaining.

The annual Blues festival ‘Himalayan Blues Festival 2007’ began at the North Palace, Thamel on September 5. The programme started with Belgium artiste Bart Grivenvynck’s solo performance on piano, which he played to the perfection. However the wonderful music of the opening act was less audible to the audience due to the loud music being played next door. The second performance was by the local blues band Jacose, who played couple of cover songs and one original track. Apart from their peppy music the jiggles and wiggles of the bassist made their performance even more interesting.

As the evening progressed, audience enjoying the music along with drinks and chitchat in between seemed to be totally relishing the festival. Soon the torrential rain stopped and more blues fans started pouring in.

The stage was then taken by a Finnish band, Black River Bluesman and the Croaking Lizard, who enthralled the crowd with their rocking performance.

The crowd kept screaming for more, which resulted to three-encore performance (which was not enough either). Danish performer Dan Klarkov presented the Swing and Groove making the crowd get up and dance.

Soon Dan was joined by Subha B Sunam on Saxophone, Rijju Tuladhar of Looza (bass) and Nikhil (Drums) creating the fusion of both worlds. Sunit Kansakar of Looza and Hari Maharjan of Nepathya played together proving that Nepali Blues scene is hot and happening

as well. The event continued till 1:30 am with JL Stiles and the Pax Armada jamming together with Deep Rana.

The five-day long festival is being organised by Rockmandu.com is association with Blues room (a blues music society in Nepal). The Blues music and its magic can be experienced at Rush Bar, Lazimpat on September 7.