Jesse James

ジェシー・ジェイムス立川店

Tachikawa Regent Biru B1, 2-11-7 Akebono-cho, Tachikawa-shi. (042)525-7188.

〒190-0012東京都立川市曙町2-11-7立川リージェントビルB1F

Charge is from 1,000 to 3,000 yen. Two sets from 19:30 on weekdays, 19:00 on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Solo live is 3 sets from 19:30.

http://jessejames-tachikawa.music.coocan.jp/

Tachikawa Station (Chuo Line). From the north exit of Tachikawa station, walk north, with Isetan on the left and Bic Camera on the right (always comforting to be surrounded by big stores, yeah?). At the first big street, turn right and you'll see the funky Americana sign.

Jesse James specializes in bourbon, steak and jazz, the holy triumvirate of bodily pleasure. Steaks are fresh, the bourbon, unblended and special reserve and the music strong and red-blooded. You are not likely to hear any arty, airy jazz here, though the groups tend to be duos and trios. The club is filled with wooden mementos, steer horns, black walls, cowboy hats, thick wood tables and the mouth-watering smell of frying steak and sourmash bourbon. It's easy to willingly enter into that movie-like suspension your disbelief once inside.

The band picks up on the slightly theme park-ish feel of an American frontier saloon, and plays to the surroundings. The performers here are mostly up-and-comers, but many established players enjoy having the freedom to work through a trio set. All of the bands here are good, every night of the week, and weekends especially showcase solid performers.

Jesse James is a fair-sized place, befitting its location in the constantly renewing Tachikawa and its motifs taken from the American prairie. The acoustics are good, with decent amps and good mixing. You can hear and see well from anywhere in the place. The giant wood seats and thick, solid tables are a relaxing retreat from the cramped, elbow-bumping spots inside Tokyo. Somehow, the openness makes it a different listening experience.