KATHAMNDU: Jazz music has cast its spell over the music aficionados of Nepal for quite sometime now. And to enthral the Jazz fans of the Capital, the US embassy in Kathmandu is celebrating April as the Jazz Appreciation Month and has invited the most sought after jazz artiste all the way from New York.

Jazz vocalist Sachal Vasandani — the man with the “golden voice” will be performing a solo concert at the Shangri-La Hotel Jazz Bar on April 4. He will be performing with local musicians — Jigme Sherpa on jazz guitar, Mariano on saxophone, Vikku Chhettri on guitar, Nirakar Yakthumba on bass, Hemmu Chhettri on drums, and Sanjay Shrestha on percussions.

Born in Chicago, Sachal studied Jazz at the University of Michigan. In 1999 he won the Collegiate Jazz Vocalist of the Year (by Downbeat Magazine) and in 2004 he was the semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute Competition.

According ot Wynton Marsalis, artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sachal Vasandani’s singing reveals emotion and intellect... versed in the blues, standards, and modern jazz... his sound is consistent and unique.

The New York Times has called him “debonair” and Jazz at Lincoln Centre has described him as “Red-hot... the finest young talent on the scene”.

The concert here will start at 6.30 pm.

(Tickets Rs 1,199 includes buffet dinner; available at Shangri-la hotel — 4412999, or East Meets West — 4256411. Limited number of student tickets available at Rs 350 for collection at the American Center Library upon presentation of student ID — 4445577)