The line-up

Chakrabir Lama

Chakra Lama is a Boudha, Kathmandu-based guitarist and music instructor, widely recognized for his expressive command of Gypsy Jazz and Blues. He began his musical journey at the age of seven, and quickly developed into a prodigious talent. In 2010, he won Guitar Maestro, one of Nepal's top guitar competitions.

Despite his early success, Chakra remained self-taught until 2015, when he moved to the United States to study music formally. This experience expanded his technical foundation and introduced him to new musical worlds. While his roots lie in the blues, Chakra eventually found his true voice in the fast-paced, soulful rhythms of Gypsy Jazz.

He now performs regularly and teaches aspiring musicians. His current band, Hot Club of Patan, is known for blending classic Nepali songs with the dynamic swing of Gypsy Jazz — creating a sound that is both nostalgic and boldly original.

Riken Maharjan

One of the founding members of the band, Riken Maharjan is a self-taught guitarist with a deep passion for gypsy jazz and the rich history behind its evolution. His fascination reaches past the music itself to the journey of gypsy music from South Asia to Europe, and to the influences that eventually found their way back to the region. Through close observation, research, and direct interaction, he has spent years learning about Roma music and culture, and about the traditions that shaped this distinctive style.

Riken's approach to music is driven by curiosity, exploration, and a desire to understand the stories behind the sound. Inspired by traditional Roma music, by the pioneers of gypsy jazz, and by the many traditions that fed the genre, he continues to develop his own voice as a guitarist. For him, gypsy jazz is not simply a style of music but a living cultural journey — one that connects history, migration, identity, and improvisation.

Kunzanee Maharjan

Kunzanee is a singer-songwriter and composer known for blending pop, rock, jazz, classical, and indie influences. Her music bridges tradition and modernity, creating deeply resonant melodies. Of her two singles, Artha explores longing and separation through Nepal Bhasa lyrics, while Kalpana Ko Sahar Ma is a dreamscape — a city of her own imagining, untouched by negativity, where there is peace and where she builds a home with the people she loves.

Currently, she is working with Hot Club of Patan as a main vocalist who reimagines Nepali classics in a gypsy jazz style. For Kunzanee, music is a language of emotions — every note tells a story of love, longing, and artistic freedom, inspiring listeners to feel, remember, and dream.

Sovan Rasaili

Sovan Rasaili began playing the guitar at the age of nine, developing a deep passion for music from an early age. In 2020 he started studying under the guitarist Chakrabir Lama, whose mentorship introduced him to gypsy jazz and to the Hot Club of Patan.

Drawing on the expressive storytelling of gypsy jazz and the energy of blues and rock, Sovan treats music as a language — one spoken through the guitar, through improvisation, and through genuine musical conversation. His playing is shaped by a wide range of influences: Django Reinhardt, Stochelo Rosenberg, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, and Andy Timmons. Their artistry keeps driving his pursuit of technical excellence, creativity, and emotional expression.

As a guitarist, Sovan is dedicated to refining his craft while developing a voice of his own. By blending the traditions of gypsy jazz with the spirit of blues and rock, he aims for performances that are both technically engaging and emotionally resonant.