Entertainment
Jazzing up Salsa
Nepal Gypsy Jazz, an organisation working towards promoting the Gypsy Jazz genre in Nepal, is coming up with an event titled Gypsy Jazz vs Salsa, which is slated to provide the audience a blend of dance and music, gypsy jazz and salsa, under one roof.Nepal Gypsy Jazz, an organisation working towards promoting the Gypsy Jazz genre in Nepal, is coming up with an event titled Gypsy Jazz vs Salsa, which is slated to provide the audience a blend of dance and music, gypsy jazz and salsa, under one roof.
The event will see performances by Hari Maharjan, pioneer of gypsy jazz genre in Nepal and the country’s only gypsy jazz instructor, and Binayek Das Shrestha, the pioneer of institutionalising Salsa Dance in Nepal. Joining two masters of their crafts on stage is Daniel Givone, acclaimed musician, teacher and a mentor, whose pursuit to enrich the music culture and promote the undermined artistic values of Nepal is being venerated among Kathmandu’s music circle.
This is the first time the two art forms that follow two different disciplines are being showcased in one stage. Gypsy Jazz, a genre that evolved from the folk music popularised by travelling gypsies and the western jazz, incorporates a distinct beat called La Pompe that produces the percussive beats in all songs. While Salsa grooves in the staple beats of Latin music (1, 2, 3-5, 6, 7-).
“The event will present a challenge for gypsy musicians to blend with the elegance of salsa dance and in turn for the Salsa dancers to groove in the unique beat of la pompe,” said the organisers, issuing a press note on Wednesday.
Along with Maharjan, Givone, and Shreshta, the event will also feature gypsy guitarists Jérémie Pellaz and Irene Ypenberg.
Speaking about the forthcoming event, guitarist Hari Maharjan said, “Gypsy jazz shows have very attentive audience due to its complex and intricate runs of music ideas. In all shows and festival I have attended, it entails deep listening. But when we rehearsed, it added a new visual element. I am very happy to accept this challenge.”
Gypsy Jazz vs Salsa takes place at Club 25 Hours, in Tangal, on March 17, 7pm onwards.