Jazzmandu | The Buzz | Music

Ari Hoenig (pic, right) first started playing drums at the age of 12, "probably as an act of adolescent rebellion," he says, because this was the only instrument that his violinist mother and pianist father could not play. Though his parents had taught him violin and piano since he was six, once he picked up his drum sticks he stuck at it, using his classical training to shape his musical concepts as he developed.

Now aged 37, he plays in New York with his group Ari Hoenig and Punk Bop, after having built an impressive resume with the legendary organist Shirley Scott, as well as other jazz heavyweights like Gerry Mulligan, Wayne Kratz and Mike Stern.

It is he, dear friends, who will be headlining at Jazzmandu later this month, an event that though in its eighth year, continues to generate all the excitement it did in its first. In keeping with previous years, the line-up this year is diverse: from the samba-infused Brazilian jazz of Capim Seco to the subliminal sounds of Thai band Saksri Pang Vongdharadon.

Dubbed as "the biggest jazz party in the Himalayas", it will be an amalgam of artists, sounds and ideas. In addition to the jamming session among the artists – which are always the most popular sessions – there will be chances for jazz enthusiasts to sit and chat with the musicians, and for musicians young and old to attend a master class.

This might turn out to be a useful thing for Nepali jazz musicians, as what stands out during the festival is the dearth of new Nepali bands. Nabin Chhetri – who started this jazz party – and his band Cadenza will be representing Nepal, so to speak, while folksy bands Kutumba and Gandarva will be jamming along with the rest. These three bands have pretty much been the regulars over the last seven years, and latter two aren't even remotely inspired by the tradition of jazz. That said, when the party comes to town, all we care about is the tapping of our feet and the swaying of our hips.

Schedule

Valley Jam - Friday, 29 October
Simak Dialog/Alukomarai - Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lazimpat
Adrian D'Souza Quartet - Moksh, Jawalakhel
Saksri Pang Vongdharadon - House Of Music, Thamel

Gokarna Jazz Bazaar - Saturday, 30th October
A blend of folk, classical and jazz music performed by international and Nepali musicians

Jazz for the Next Generation - Sunday, 31 October
An educational experience for the young generation of musicians and jazz lovers at KJC

Jazzmandu Master Class - Monday, 1 November
Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory

Jazz At Patan - Tuesday, 2 November
An evening of Nepali classical music fused with jazz in a soulful atmosphere at Patan Museum Square

All Star Fever - Wednesday, 3 November,
For the high-energy festival finale, a mix of musicians play their sets before jamming together into the night at Shambala Garden, Hotel Shangri-La