The opening act of Hayashi and Fujimoto was an impeccable, lush duo of acoustic music. Their set was interrupted by a huge earthquake that stopped them in the middle of a song, with everyone stood up deciding whether to evacuate or not.
Read MoreAt the height of intense improvising during Dojo’s recent live gig, one of the strings on the koto broke, adding an unpredictable tone and a surprising moment. Frankly, though, it was a surprise only one string broke during the evening.
Read MoreMark Tourian’s sextet is a straight-ahead group that plays what can only be called perfect jazz. That might sound off-putting, since the rough and dirty edges of jazz are often its appeal.
Read MoreCalling out tunes from her 100-plus playbook, Barbara Hadenfeldt took the stage and took control over the audience’s heart. Her singing is old school, and beautifully so.
Read MoreModern jazz that is sophisticated and intense but not overdone or overwhelming, is a rare experience. But Hristo Vitchev’s Quartet is just that.
Read MoreFor this evening, Ichihara drew on some standards, but also played original work from the Gatsby CD. The standard “Old Folks” got them, and the audience, warmed up in the first set
Read MoreMambo Inn is a tight, swinging group that plays an eclectic mix of songs with Brazilian and Latin rhythms and a fantastic sense of fun. The word “fun” may not get attached to jazz often, or not often enough, but with Mambo Inn, part of the delight is hearing great jazz standards with unique rhythms and unexpected arrangements.
Read MoreThe Tokyo jazz scene never felt like such a crossroads as in early November when the Mika Brasil Jazz Big Band took the stage at B Flat. Digging right into their unique Brazilian special rhythm called frevo, and then layering on top big band jazz charts, the well-tuned dancers got up and started to move from the second song.
Read MoreMake no mistake, you have no chance. If you are paying attention to what they are doing, they will catch you. They will make you amazed, excited, happy, and at certain times make you laugh, that kind of laugh used for “how is that possible?”
Read MoreThe Yokohama Jazz Promenade just keeps getting better and better. The organizers know just what they are doing and the program has expanded each year without feeling any bigger. There was no feeling of being in a huge stadium or having to look for the screen to see what is going on. Each performance was intimate
Read MoreThe Kiki Band is a powerhouse of a band that has perhaps toured outside Japan more than any other jazz group, though “jazz” may not be quite the right genre to slip them into. They are a band of equals where everyone can be themselves and bring into the music their own special interests, melding it all into a unique sound
Read MoreAs if calling in the gods of the wind, Kaze’s show started with Natsuki Tamura and Christian Pruvost blowing, tapping and inhaling air through their trumpets. There would have been no better way to start the show, since “kaze” means “wind” in Japanese. From the first musical breath, Tamura and Pruvost
Read MorePere-Furu is as packed with pleasing tensions as any genre-bending, improvisation-loving band could be. Yet, to describe them that way misses out on how earthy, intense, joyous and wide-ranging the band is. They get on stage and play music stripped of limits: playing in and around and with genres, rhythms, expectations
Read MoreThis intense trio plays straight on for a half hour at one go without the least slack. The intensity is striking, first of all, and then it dawns on you, she’s playing one of the most traditional Japanese instruments of all!
Read MoreSun Alley is one of the best blues bands in Japan. They kicked off their early April set knowing the crowd needed some relief from the worries of the earthquake and they delivered by showing just how restorative the blues can be.
Read MoreIsao Suzuki’s Oma Sound is one of the longer-running groups in Tokyo’s jazz scene. That is, it’s been running with Suzuki at the helm and a cast of hot, young players revolving in and out of the line-up for years. This most recent incarnation is one of the best—high-energy, chop-heavy, and cooler than ever.
Read MoreThis lovely quartet layered the evening with great solos, lush tones and a terrific vibe. Nakajima’s sax swept everyone in the crowded house into her mesmerizing sax styling. Kicking the first set into high gear with “Caravan,” Nakajima played with Art Pepper-like attention to tone.
Read MoreB Flat has gone out of its way, and into its pockets, to offer no-charge nights for years. Now in its current location for 10 years, they wanted to celebrate. No better way to do that than open up the club and let people walk in free for four great sets of sizzling jazz.
Read MoreFumio Karashima plays jazz that lets you know you are in the hands of a master. From the opening notes, the tight swing his quartet lays down flows out from the heart of jazz and never lets up.
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