Kathmandu:

The sunny afternoon during the cold winter days came with a refreshing change. To make the day even more enjoyable music lovers got a chance to listen to some of the best jazz musicians of the Valley playing wonderful compositions live at the Kathmandu Jazz Conservation (KJC), Jhamsikhel on January 26. Listening to jazz music basking in the warm yellow glow was a perfect combination. KJC was created by artistes Nirakar Yakthumba and Mariano F Abello with the sole purpose of conserving the jazz music scene of Nepal and promoting it through various events. To boost this idea of theirs KJC will be organising a monthly Jazz Concert at the KJC premises.

The gathering at the KJC consisted of both local and foreign jazz music lovers including many of media personalities and artistes who enjoyed the first concert of the series. Seated comfortably on the green grass the audience enjoyed each and every piece of music played. Starting with the Student Ensemble, the group warmed up the mood with Bb shuffle (James Aebersold), Little Sunflower (Freddie Hubbard) and Blues by five (Red Garland). The group was not only successful in creating the perfect ambience but also gave a glimpse of the bright future of jazz in Nepal. The performance was followed by SFATiC band, performing jazzy Nepali folk tunes, Brindawan, a Rag fusion and a Latino song by their band member Patrick Scannell. Next band to perform was Trouble Clef which not only had Mariano Abello in it but also had the very talented Arpana Rayamajhi as its vocalist who crooned Night and Day (Cole Porter) and Moanin’ (Bobby Timmons). The band also performed This I dig of you (Hank Mobley), Yardbird suite (Charlie Parker) and a few more numbers. Among all the bands Baja-Gaja had a more rock inclination and the audience happily welcomed the change. The band performed three of their own compositions. Pleasant surprise of the day was the Sufi-jazz fusion band Flamenco-Sufi-Jazz Fusion that played heart-warming musical pieces Vidhea (Mariano Abello), Middle East Peace (Mariano Abello) and Buleria (El Migranitas del Henares, Pax, Mariano) supported with vocals by Bishwo Nepali and El Migranitas del Henares ‘Cantaor’.

The event ended with a performance by the band 1974 AD.