KATHMANDU: Despite being hit by the devastating April earthquake and reeling under the ongoing fuel crisis, music lovers of the Capital took time for great music from around the world at the biggest jazz party in town — Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2015. The music festival kicked off at Moksh, Jhamsikhel on November 4 with Jazz for the Next Generation Music Competition.

Two jazz bands — Latency and Forty Fingers — were in the fray with their classic jazz tunes and music. Mark Donal (Drums), Sanjay Shrestha (Piano and Vocal), Anish Malla (Guitar) and Shawa Pyngrope (Bass) from the Forty Fingers were all smiling and happily performing jazz numbers — Three to Get Ready and Whatever You Want — with the melodious voice catching the audience’s attention.

Latency’s vocalist Akshyata Adhikary astounded the audience with her melodious voice in Jackie Wilson and Steamy Windows. “It was a wonderful experience performing here in the event. Though we didn’t win, we have treasured the memories in our heart,” she smiled.

Along with the bands, solo singers too performed at the event. Bhintuna and Sanjog Sharma along with others were there in the league. Time After Time and All of Me by Sharma soothed the audience. Be it punk jazz or classical, it was the moment to listen to aspiring Nepali musicians making it feel less a contest and more a platform for upcoming musicians. The musicians performed to their fullest on the first day of the jazz festival.

Four judges from Israeli Jazz band Katamon Cherry — Elad Gellert (Saxophone), Adam Wingard (Guitar), David Michaeli (Bass) and Haim Peskoff (Drums) — adjudged the competition.

“All of the competitors were equally talented and performed in diverse categories and it was challenging for us to find the best from them,” shared Peskoff.

Sharma won the Best Vocalist title while the Best Band title was conferred on Forty Fingers. The outstanding band will perform at Jazz Bazzar. Meanwhile, Pragyan Subedi became the winner for Best Accompanist whereas Donal bagged the Outstanding Musician title. After winning the Best Band title, pianist Sanjay shared, “It is a very exciting moment for us to take part and win in the festival. As it was our first performance in the festival we were a little nervous initially but people were friendly.”

Richa Sharma, a 21-year-old resident of Pulchowk, who was at the event with her friends, shared, “It was good to see young Nepali musicians performing at the event. Such kind of events help them in their musical career.”

The Surya Nepal Jazzmandu 2015 is on till November 10. The Himalayan Times is the official media partner.