Kathmandu, May 2 – The KatJazz International Music Festival is a tribute to melodies, ethos, and narratives, deeply embedded in Nepal yet echoing across distant lands.
Every year, the festival gathers artists, students, and audiences to delve into the intersections of jazz, modern music, and the musical traditions that influence us.
This year, the festival highlighted women in music not just as a theme but as an undeniable reality that has been delayed for too long. Spanning from April 18 through April 30 with breaks between events, the festival featured five out of ten total concerts headlined by female artists. Musicians from Nepal and across the globe took part in this event, which showcased various forms of artistic expression, cultural richness, and mutual learning both during performances and behind the scenes.
Taking place each year close to International Jazz Day on April 30, the festival was initially created with an educational focus. Since being launched in 2017, the event has provided funding for two annual scholarships at the conservatory through its earnings.
KatJazz similarly highlights performers keen on sharing their expertise and working alongside conservatory students and up-and-coming local talent. The festival includes workshops as a key component, further enriched by residencies involving both traditional folk and classical musicians locally. Fundamentally, KatJazz seeks to link artists within Nepal’s burgeoning jazz community with international audiences.
Abhisek Bhadra, who serves as co-artistic director of the KatJazz Festival, remarks, “‘Initially, it was just a modest aspiration to establish a platform for jazz and musical instruction in Nepal. Now, what began so humbly has evolved into an international event with roots firmly planted here yet extending much further.'”
The festival kicked off on Friday, April 18, at Bhumi Restaurant located in Lazimpat. Yaju & Samita merged elements of folk and classical music, while Kunzanee delved into traditions with a modern twist. Likewise, Nami delivered an energetic performance featuring tunes inspired by jazz, pop, and various other genres.
‘Duo & Friends,’ an instrumental ensemble from Chile, made their return to the stage following numerous years of musical exchanges and collaborations in Nepal. On April 19th, they performed at The Kyampa in Sanepa. This group seeks to leverage a broad spectrum of wind instruments—such as silver flutes, Quena flutes, Bulgarian Kavals, Indian Bansuris, Turkish Ney pipes, Ocarinas, along with more—to craft open and inclusive compositions. Additionally, they explore innovative techniques for integrating various playing methods into their acoustic guitars, blending elements from both Western classical traditions and South American sounds enhanced through the use of effects pedals.
On April 20, Canadian musician Paul Tynan played at Jazz Upstairs in Lazimpat. With extensive experience in jazz performances as both a trumpeter and composer, Tynan is recognized for his melodic style and intricate compositions. At the KatJazz Festival 2025, he collaborated with a mix of Nepali and international artists for an engaging night filled with improvisations and cultural exchanges.
Likewise, a performance focusing on contemporary Nepali music that blends folklore and traditions took place on April 22 at Electric Pagoda in Thamel. This event showcased acts by Rajat Rai’s ensemble and Sonagi Blues. Rajat Rai’s group merged elements of Nepalese folk, jazz, and West African beats. Meanwhile, Sonagi Blues fused conventional instruments and rhythmic patterns with the vigor of rock and Indian classical compositions.
On April 23 at La Terrasse, Chundevi, ‘Ya Si Ver & Co’ from Spain explored what tradition can mean today through improvisation and original arrangements.
On April 24, ‘Once We Knew,’ a vocal ensemble hailing from Basel with members from Switzerland, Portugal, France, and Nepal, took the stage at Moksh in Jhamsikhel. Their performance delved into the intricacies of harmony, texture, and the versatile potential of the human voice.
Carole Alston ft Martin Zenker, with decades of experience in gospel, jazz, blues, and musical theatre, brought a soulful and seasoned voice to the festival on April 25 at Dhokaima Cafe, Patan Dhoka.
On April 26 at The Yellow House, Sanepa, the festival featured Ya Si Ver & Co, Once We Knew, Carole Alston, and the Brazilian-rooted Fixel Trio ft Jatziri Gallegos. It was a full-day celebration of women’s voices and a meeting point of stories, styles, and sounds.
On April 29, at Jazz Upstairs in Lazimpat, Thai saxophonist Pathorn Srikaranonda took part in a collaborative concert alongside festival performers. This event was brimming with cultural interchange and the essence of jazz.
To conclude the festival on April 30th, ‘The Gyan Residency’ gathered renowned Nepalese artists and folk musicians at the EDEN Amphitheatre in Sanepa. Collaborating, they produced original compositions blending elements from Hindustani classical music, traditional Nepali folklore, and modern tunes, performing them live as part of the celebration for International Jazz Day.
Bhadra states that the true achievement of the festival lies in fostering a sense of community. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a novice student taking the stage for the first time or an experienced performer recounting their experiences; each contribution enriches the collective narrative we’re crafting as one.