KatJazz International Music Festival is a celebration of sound, spirit, and stories, rooted in Nepal and resonating far beyond.

Each year, the festival brings together artists, students, and listeners to explore the meeting points of jazz, contemporary music, and the musical roots that shape us.

This year, the festival turned its spotlight on women in music. Not as a theme. As a truth long overdue. Organised from April 18 to April 30 with intervals, the festival had five concerts among the ten that women led. Artists from Nepal and around the world participated in the festival with a series of concerts that celebrated expression, diversity, and exchange, both on and off stage.

Held yearly around International Jazz Day on April 30, the festival’s original mission is educational, and since its establishment in 2017, the proceeds have financed two scholarships annually at the conservatory.

KatJazz also emphasises artists who want to share their knowledge and collaborate with conservatory students and emerging local musicians. Workshops are an integral part of the festival, complemented by a residency featuring local folk and classical musicians. In essence, KatJazz aims to connect artists from the emerging Nepali jazz scene with a global audience.

Abhisek Bhadra, co-artistic director, KatJazz Festival, says, “It started as a small dream to create space for jazz and music education in Nepal. Today, it’s grown into a global gathering—rooted in this place, but reaching far beyond.”

The festival commenced on Friday, April 18, at Bhumi Restaurant in Lazimpat. Yaju & Samita blended folk and classical influences, whereas Kunzanee explored tradition through a contemporary lens. Similarly, Nami presented a vibrant set of songs drawing from jazz, pop, and more.

‘Ser o Duo & friends’, Instrumental music from Chile, after many years of musical exchange and collaboration in Nepal, returned to the stage again. They took the stage on April 19 at The Kyampa, Sanepa. The duo aims to utilise the possibilities offered by a wide range of flutes (silver flute, quenas, Bulgarian kaval, Indian bansuri, Turkish ney, ocarinas, among others), as well as a hybrid approach to the acoustic guitar (combining Western classical and South American styles with effects), to create music that is openly and inclusively.

On April 20, Paul Tynan from Canada performed at Jazz Upstairs, Lazimpat. Tynan is a trumpeter and composer with a long history in jazz performance. He is known for his lyrical playing and detailed compositions. For KatJazz Festival 2025, he joined a group of Nepali and international musicians for an evening of improvisation and exchange.

Similarly, a concert dedicated to new Nepali sounds emerging from folk and tradition was held on April 22 at Electric Pagoda, Thamel. The concert featured two performers Rajat Rai and ‘Sonagi Blues’. Team of Rai brought together Nepali folk, jazz, and West African rhythms. ‘Sonagi Blues’ blended traditional instruments and percussion with the energy of rock and Indian classical.

On April 23 at La Terrasse, Chundevi, ‘Ya Si Ver & Co’ from Spain explored what tradition can mean today through improvisation and original arrangements.

‘Once We Knew’, a vocal band formed in Basel with singers from Switzerland, Portugal, France, and Nepal, performed on April 24 at Moksh, Jhamsikhel. They explored harmony, texture, and the possibilities of the human voice through their music.

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, Lazimpat, Thai saxophonist Pathorn Srikaranonda performed with festival artists in a collaborative concert rich in cross-cultural exchange and jazz spirit.

For the grand finale of the festival on 30 April, ‘The Gyan Residency’ brought together Nepali maestros and folk musicians at EDEN Amphitheatre, Sanepa. Together, they co-created new music inspired by Hindustani traditions, Nepali folk, and contemporary sounds and performed it live, celebrating International Jazz Day.

“The real success of the festival is the sense of community it nurtures. Whether it’s a young student performing for the first time or a seasoned artist sharing their journey, every moment adds to a story we’re writing together,” Bhadra says.