WAVE Jazz for the Next Generation: You could be next

FROM ISSUE # 129 (September 2006) | IN THIS ISSUE
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The end of the monsoon heralds the beginning of the jazz season here in Kathmandu, and it's now been nearly a year since Karma Avalanche swept away the competition at the WAVE Jazz for the Next Generation event. Taking the stage at the Yala Maya Kendra in Patan, they managed to impress the judges (including Cadenza drummer Nabin Chhetri and Solid, a jazz band from Norway) with their performances of My Piece of Cake and Freedom in F Major, and defeat fellow finalists Jocose and In Between 4 November 2005.

The time since has been a learning curve for the guys, who perform not only collectively as Karma Avalanche but with other bands as well. Their lineup of Bibhusan Basnet on guitar and vocals, Abhisek Bhadra on keyboards, Prasanna Rana on percussions, Allan Shrestha on drums, and Bob Dennis Benjamin on bass got to open the Jazz Bazaar show at Gokarna, setting the stage for international groups like Groove Suppa, Soulmate, Carmen Genest, Cadenza, and Solid.

The band members were all studying in class 11 when they won the competition, and having now graduated from high school with their sights set on going to do their further studies abroad. Though music is still their main passion—"Our subjects would be related to music of course," says Bibushan—the guys have also branched out into documentary making. They made a 17-minute documentary called Ekaadeshma, which is a dramatised account of the April Uprising that they are entering for selection into film festivals.

"Participating in WAVE Jazz for the Next Generation was fun, though we were a little worried in the beginning," says Bibhusan, adding that the band greatly enjoyed their gig at Gokarna. More recently, Abishek and Bibushan performed with Atomic Bush at Mahendra Police Club, while Prasanna and Allan also play for bands like Zany Zealots and Cruentus.

Like Karma Avalanche, this year another young band will have the chance to prove itself with WAVE Jazz for the Next Generation. If you think you've got the jazz groove down, make sure to fill out an application form (facing page), send it in, and start practicing. It's an invaluable chance to get some exposure and experience, perform in front of huge crowds during the Surya Classic Jazzmandu 2006, and learn from the best at a special music workshop. Karma Avalanche's tips for this year's contestants: be possible during the contest, and use the workshop to learn from the international artistes.