Groove to Jazz in Mandu’ | Feature

A year has already passed since Jazzmandu 2008 but it's right back to give us our annual dose of jazz. Organised by Chhedup Bomzan of The Upstairs Jazz Bar and Navin Chettri, the biggest jazz party in the Himalayas runs from 8-13 October and sports the theme 'music for peace and compassion'.

"The crowd can expect the same energy and passion Jazzmandu strives to present every year. For the first time we will be featuring two fantastic female artists, a drummer and a bassist with Sheyla Costa La Brasilera, hopefully their passion for their instruments will inspire our Nepali girls to study instruments like the bass and the drums in the future," said Artistic Director of the jazz festival Navin Chettri, who also is a member of the band Cadenza that will be playing at the festival. Details of the concert venues and timings are available at www.jazzmandu.org.

Vatchapuj, Thailand/France

A musical melting pot, Vatchapuj was initially formed in Thailand by saxophonist Pharadon Phonamnuai and flautist Vincent Martial, with Uriel Barthelemi later joining on drums. The trio strikes a delicate balance between improvisation and written composition. All three members play various instruments, at times using them in new and surprising ways, building their own instruments and music or coaxing sounds from unexpected objects in a way that is sure to blow listeners away. Through their music, they create a language that is both diverse and personal.

Sheyla Costa La Brasilera, Brazil/France

Sheyla Costa La Brasilera consists of Sheyla Costa on vocals and guitar, Rodrigo Viana on guitar, Valérie Benzaquine on piano, Thérèse Henry on bass and Julie Saury on drums. All the band members are equally talented. The female drummer, guitarist and pianist add much spice to the band. The members started playing at a very young age and have reached where they are today through sheer effort and inspiration. Watch out for the crowds!

Simon Fisk, Canada

A jazz bassist who has recorded and performed extensively since the early 1990s, Simon Fisk has worked primarily in the piano trio format with pianist Chris Gestri, Aaron Young on guitar and most recently with Jerry Granelli on drums. His most consistent output over the years has taken place in that format, due in no small part to the rapport between the three musicians, and the constant creative inspiration he receives from Gestrin and Granelli. Simon has attracted a sizeable following over the years, one that has grown to expect an emotional, intense performance from him and his bandmates.

Yuri Honing Trio, Amsterdam/Holland

Creating a unique style based on jazz, pop and non-western musical traditions while touring the world, the Yuri Honing Trio are three musicians from one of the most successful Dutch jazz groups today. The trio is centered on the brilliant saxophone player and composer Yuri Honing, one of the leading lights of the Dutch jazz scene since the 1990s. The equally remarkable bassist-composer Tony Overwater and drummer Joost Libaart make up the trio. They made their international breakthrough in 1996 with the release of Star Tracks, an album based on pop songs, followed by Sequel in 1998. Both albums achieved extraordinary sales and gave the trio a place in every jazz encyclopedia published since.

Trio Urbano, New York, USA

Trio Urbano, hailing from New York, are Jamie Baum on flute, Dario Eskenazi on piano and Susan Pereira on vocals and percussion. A NYC jazz flautist/composer, Jamie has toured the US, and over 20 countries in Europe, Japan, South America and South Asia, working with several renowned musicians. Dario, a resident of NYC since 1990, has been a pianist arranger and composer very much in demand in the jazz, Brazilian and Latin circles around the city. He has recorded half a dozen albums and toured for over 10 years with Paquito D'Rivera, with whom he won three Grammy Awards. Susan is a vocalist, pianist, percussionist, composer and arranger. While deeply rooted in traditional Brazilian styles, her broad background in jazz and world music has enabled her to develop a distinct musical personality.

Soulmate, Shillong, India

Inspired by the roots and groove sounds of blues, blues-rock, soul, rock 'n roll, funk and R&B, Soulmate came together in Shillong in 2003 playing their first concert at the 'Roots Festival'. They also performed at the International Jazzmandu Festival in Kathmandu for two consecutive years, in 2004 and 2005. Anyone with an interest in the western music scene in India will recognize singer/songwriter Rudy Wallang, who leads this tight-knit musical unit. The beautiful and talented vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Soulmate, Tipriti 'Tips' Kharbangar, too, has earned a name as one of the finest female singers to have emerged out of Shillong. Backing these two talents are Shaun Nonghulo, Ferdy Dkhar and Leon Wallang.

Trebeka, Paris, France

Trebeka is an international recording artist and a businesswoman. Born and raised in France in a multi-ethnic family rooted in Africa, Asia and Europe, Trebeka grew up as a citizen of the world, the mix strongly influencing her life, spirituality and music. Trebeka first came to prominence in Paris at the tender age of eighteen and just two years earlier she had begun singing for local audiences in her hometown of Orléans. But it wasn't long before growing demand for her exceptional sound and charismatic performance style prompted a move to the French capital. On tour all over the world with no less than 300 gigs per year in the best venues, Trebeka has also played with Kenny Garrett (Miles Davis).