In Europe, you have to build up before you can get the crowd to react, but here the kids reacted immediately to our music,” said Silvan Strauß, the drummer for the German jazz outfit, Toy Story. Along with Toy story, the first day of the annual jazz jamboree, Jazzmandu, saw performances by Teerapoj Pitakul Trio from Thailand, Palouse Jazz Project from USA, Julia Sarr from Senegal, Filtron Nepa Mali, which is the collaboration of International artists, and Cadenza Collective of Nepal. 

The ongoing event is the 15th edition of the Nepal’s only international jazz fest. 

The fest kicked off at the premises of Alliance Française in Jhamsikhel, on Thursday, drawing in the crowd of more than 150 students representing various schools of the Valley. And while the sound of jazz might have been new to the students, the young audience were awed by the novel instruments and the high energy of the performers. 

“It’s always fun to perform in front of kids. They never lie. We immediately know whether they are enjoying or not,” said musician Julia Sarr, who was also performing at the event. 

The festival will continue at various venues across the Valley for a week through October 18. 

The second day of Jazzmandu, dubbed Valley Jams, will see performances by bands Filtron M “NepaMali” and Teerapoj Trio (at Jazz Upstairs); Samuel Wootton “Toy Story” (at House of Music); Julia Sarr (at Moksh); and Palouse Jazz Project (at Manny’s Eatery & Tapas Bar). 

About town

Jazzmandu 2017

Jazz Upstairs

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Filtron M “NepaMali” ( Switzerland/ Mali ) & Teerapoj Trio (Thailand)

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Lazimpat

House of Music

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Samuel Wootton “Toy Story” (Germany)

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Thamel

Moksh

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Julia Sarr

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Jhamsikhel

Manny’s Eatery & Tapas Bar

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Palouse Jazz Project

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Jhamsikhel

Gokarna Forest Resort

Saturday, Oct 14

On mic: All Jazzmandu artists

2:30 pm onwards

Location: Gokarna

Yala Maya Kendra (Dhokaima Cafe)

Sunday, Oct 15

On mic: Julia Saar and Filtron M

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Patan

Kantipur Temple House

Tuesday, Oct 17

On mic: Cadenza Collective

Time: 6:30 pm onwards

Location: Thamel

Hotel Yak & Yeti 

Wednesday, Oct 18

On mic: All jazzmandu artists

Time: 5:30 pm onwards

Location: Durbar Marg

Genesis Cafe

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Sworfly

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Lazimpat

Ai-La Lounge

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Aadarsha

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Kumaripati

Odaan Restaurant & Lounge

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Artha Band

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Bansbari

Laptey Multicuisine Restaurant

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Acoustic Journey

Time: 6:30 pm onwards

Location: Jawalakhel

Wicked Spoon Fork & Rock

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Freak Street

Time: 6:30 pm onwards

Location: Jhamsikhel

Social Cafe

Friday, Oct 13

On mic: Mark Prakash Lepcha, Roshan Lama Pradhan, Pukar Shahi 

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Gairidhara

Ai-La Lounge

Saturday, Oct 14

On mic: Good People

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: Kumaripati

Tewa

Saturday, Oct 14

On mic: Adrian Pradhan & Frendz

Time: 5 pm onwards

Location: Dhapakhel

Moksh

Saturday, Oct 14

On mic: North H

Time: 7:30 pm onwards

Location: Jhamsikhel

Trisara

Saturday, Oct 14

On mic: Nima Rumba & The Legend band

Time: 6 pm onwards

Location: Lazimpat

Karma Bar & Lounge

Saturday, Oct 14

On mic: Himesh Reshammiya

Time: 7 pm onwards

Location: UWTC, Tripureshwor