Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, March 15:

Hotel Yak & Yeti in association with Upstairs Ideas are organising ‘Sounds of Africa’ on March 17 in Yak and Yeti Hotel, Durbar Marg. To brief about the event, the hotel organised a press conference today.

The event highlights African music, rhythms and dances. Unlimited drinks, snacks and a lavish spread are other attractions. Surendra C Thakuri, co-ordinator of ‘Sounds of Africa’ and liaison officer at Yak & Yeti, shares, “Jazzmandu will be a major source of attracting the high-end market to Kathmandu, it will be a step forward in uplifting Nepali tourism. Whosoever is directly or indirectly concerned with the tourism industry should join hands to make this jazz festival a grand success.” Mahesh Sajnani, administrator of Jazzmandu 2004, adds, “This is the third jazz festival in Nepal. Every year we are trying to do something different.”

Jazz artist Max Lolo from Benin Africa is the highlight of the event. He will be presenting a fusion of African rhythms and jazz and our very own Nepali jazz band Cadenza will be there to add their magic.

Max, who is on his second visit to Nepal, shares, “I am here because I am very interested in meeting musicians from all over the world. It feels great to participate in Jazzmandu and perform in ‘Sounds of Africa’.”Music is Max’s first passion. When he was 19, he started learning bass guitar and by 21, started to learn acoustic guitar. Since 1998 he set out to explore and experience music from other countries. Back home he has a band ‘Traffic’. He sings, plays acoustic and rhythm guitar. In 2002 he released his first CD ‘Realite’.