Jazzmandu finale

Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu:

Jazzmandu 2004 ended with ‘All Star Fever’ at Hotel Summit on March 27. Organised by Upstairs Ideas, the official daily for the event The Himalayan Times brings you the final update.The participating bands who had not left yet jammed together, bringing a range of music to the delight of the audience. Soul Mate from Shillong, Hannah Vasanth Trio from Britain, our very own Cadenza and Louis Banks Brotherhood came together. “It has been an awesome festival and we want to come back again,” said Hannah Vasanth Trio. They jammed for the last time with Cadenza, singing their hit numbers. Cadenza brought back tunes from their old albums and the past Jazzmandu festivals.

“The festival was absolutely great,” said Mahesh Sajnani, administrator of Jazzmandu festival. “We have received a lot of response from the various bands. They even suggest that we organise one three months later because a year is too far away.”As Jazzmandu ends on a classic note of appreciation, let us recount the festival this year. The festival started on March 11 with a free show at Patan. Urban Connection played to the delight of the general public. Many workshops were held in between the shows at The Elite’s co-ed, Budhanilkantha School and Upstairs Bar.

The highlight was definitely the Jazz Bazaar at Gokarna. “Simply amazing!” said Sagar Shrestha, who turned into a jazz aficionado after hearing the jazz jam in the jungle.

The Jazzmandu Peace Parade was one of a kind of an event that took the city by surprise as the Royal Enfielders escorted the jazz musicians and enthusiasts on the streets of Kathmandu. “It was an awful lot of fun,” stated Navin Chhetri, organiser of the festival and drummer of Cadenza.Jazz Uncorked at Pokhara was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances to April 2. The organisers will sit down for a meeting before deciding if it is safe enough for jazz to travel there this year. Until Jazzmandu 2005, keep the jazz spirit alive!