Jazz Art Sengawa 2024

The 16th Jazz Art Sengawa will be held on January 11-14, 2024 at Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo. It is an artist-driven music festival and its producers are Makigami Koichi, Sakamoto Hiromichi, and Fujiwara Kiyoto.

The schedule:

January 11 thursday
14:00-14:54 screening the film "Zorn" (2016)
15:20-16:19 screening the film "Zorn II" (2018)
19:30-21:00 John Zorn's Cobra Sengawa Operation Anniversary Unit
Yamamoto Tatsuhisa (drums), Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone sax), Sakaguchi Mitsuo (keyboard), Matsumura Takumi (flute), Yoshida Nonoko (sax), Goto Atsushi (trombone), Itani Takashi (drums), Takaoka Daisuke (tuba), Yoshino (biwa), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello), Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass), Makigami Koichi (promptor)

January 12 friday
13:00-14:18 screening the film "Zorn III" (2022)
14:40-15:34 screening the film "Zorn" (2016)
17:00-18:10 "Crossroad of Sound, Part 1"
Hatano Atsuko (voila+electronics), Takeshita Yuma (Mechanized instruments), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, etc)
19:30-20:40 "Tracing a path to Kavakov's Dream continued"
Hikashu with Koketsu Masayo (sax)

January 13 saturday
13:30-14:40 "Crossroad of Sound, Part 2"
Ueno Yoko (voice, electronics, etc), Kikuchi Masaaki (bass, electronics), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, etc)
16:00-17:10 "Space and Eyes of Echoes"
Ito Chieko (dance), Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass)
18:30-19:40 "Strings vibrating furiously"
Gordon Grdina (guitar, oud) with Dojo [Yagi Michiyo - electric kotos, electronics + Honda Tamaya on drums], Makigami Koichi (voice)
20:00-20:59 screening the film "Zorn II" (2018)

January 14 sunday
11:00-12:18 screening the film "Zorn III" (2022)
13:30-14:40 "Unexpected electric from the North"
Cubic Zero [Yoshida Nonoko sax, Motoyama Tomoaki keyboard, Sasaki Nobuhiko guitar, Okubo Taro bass, Shibuya Toru drums]
15:30-16:40 "Crossroad of Sound, Part 3"
Hondo Misaki (baritone sax, etc), Suzueri (handmade instruments), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, etc)
18:00-19:10 "Tresures of Sengawa"
Jazz Art Trio [Makigami Koichi voice etc, Sakamoto Hiromichi cello etc, Fujiwara Kiyoto bass]

Admission:
2,000 yen for each film screening
3,500 yen for performances (for each stage) except
5,500 yen for John Zorn's Cobra
8,500 yen for 3 stages ticket (John Zorn's Cobra counted 2 stages - films are not included.)
8,500 yen for 1day ticket
22,000 yen for all days ticket
Tickets are available through PassMarket

X (Twitter) @jazzartsengawa
Facebook @newjazzartsengawa
instagram @jazzartsengawa
youtube @Jazz Art Sengawa Official

Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo

JAZZ ART せんがわ、チケット発売中！
John Zorn特集企画ほか、バラエティに富んだプログラムをご用意しています！
→https://t.co/jtF53MXMDM pic.twitter.com/Y4dRB2cRZA

— JAZZ ART 実行委員会 (@jazzartsengawa) December 24, 2023

New year's message from Hikashu

Hikashu just posted a new year's message on YouTube as follows:

Makigami:
"Happy New Year. This is Makigami Koichi. This 45th anniversary year we have a new album called "Kumo wo Ayatsuru", the 2nd collection of lyrics, and the events commemorating the year. We would like to continue that this year and plan to release a 45rpm vinyl. It's interesting, isn't it? For the first time in some years, I had an opportunity to visit New York City late last year. It was very good and fortunate. And there is also a plan touring Europe in May so please look forward to it. Also, soon we have the 16th Jazz Art Sengawa (January 2024) and hope see you there. Thank you."

Mita:
"Happy New Year. There are lots of events coming this year, Paris Olympics for example. I have a lot of things which could be turned into songs. So what will we gonna do? From now on we'll decide that. Right now nothing has been decided, but anyway happy new year. Stay tuned. Thanks for watching (and walked out) "

Sakaide:
"Happy New Year. Last year many troubles were out there unfortunately. Personally I had some little good things here and there, and I feel it should be embraced. In 2024, I would like to make some diligent efforts. First ... (comtemplating) ... making compositions. This year I would like to compose many songs. Making a little happiness, one by one. Thank you."

Shimizu:
"Last year we went to various places for tour and it was fulfilling. But many difficult things are happening right now, and for me it's not easy to make a positive message, I'm afraid. I just want to stop things destructing. This year I hope such things never happen any more. E veryone feels the same way, I think. Thank you."

Sato:
"Happy new year. This year it's the 45th anniversary for Hikashu making the first release so we will do something special. And for me there is a new release, my 60th birthday concert DVD. It had a lot of guests, like Carmen Maki, Umezu Kazutoki, and of course Hikashu. Too many to mention here, but Makigami's singing is just incredible. This year, Hikashu and myself will make various activities so stay tuned. Happy new year and thank you."

Currently we have no information about the European tour mentioned above but we will let you know about it here later asap so do not miss it.

Jazz Art Sengawa December 1-4 2022

This year's Jazz Art Sengawa has been slated to December due to the renovation of the venue, Sengawa Theater of Chofu, Tokyo.

Hikashu's appearance is scheduled to the afternoon of December 3rd. This is a special program - a continuation of the project "Kabakov's Dream" which have performed in Niigata this summer (see here for details). The project is a work in progress, and the audience is going to see it in a working stage.

The entire schedule is as follows:

December 1, 2022
"A Wind from Berlin"
Takase Aki (p), Daniel Eltman (sax), Uchihashi Kazuhisa (g), Nakaya Akiko (alive painting)
19:00-
guest: Ino Nobuyoshi (b)

December 2, 2022
"Running in the Sky"
Samm Bennett (per), Fujiwara Kiyoto (b), Akaihirume (vo), Nagamine Maki (scenography)
19:00-20:30

December 3, 2022
"Kabakov's Dream Continued"
Hikashu
Makigami Koichi (vo, cor, thermin), Mita Freeman (g), Sakaide Masami (b), Shimizu Kazuto (p), Sato Masaharu (ds)
guest: Koketsu Masayo (sax)
14:30-16:00

"What a Wonderful World"
Arthur Binard (poetry), Nanao Tavito (vo, g), Kumasaka Rutsuko (accordion), Sakamoto Hiromichi (vc, etc)
19:00-20:30

December 4, 2022
"Wonderful World of Idiosyncratic Playing"
Tokushu Soho Yon [Tachibana Hideki (alto sax), Kita Yoichiro (tp), Takahashi Yasuyuki (tb), Honto Misaki (baritone sax)], Yamaga Gaku (g), Sakamoto Hiromichi (vc, etc)
11:00-

"Trio looking for a bone of jellyfish"
Makigami Koichi (vo), Sato Yoshiaki (accordion), Kanda Yoshiko (percussion)
15:00-

Each set - 3,500 yen

Sengawa Theater, Chofu, Tokyo

Jazz Art Sengawa 2016 digest video

Last week a digest video of Jazz Art Sengawa 2016 uploaded on YouTube. Hikashu's appearance starts at 4:44, performing together with Food, Thomas Strønen on drums, Iain Ballamy on tenor saxophone.

JAZZ ART せんがわ(SENGAWA) 2016 ダイジェスト(Digest)

Jazz Art Sengawa this year will be held on September 14-17 at Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo. Hikashu is the last act of the last day, and it has a guest, a young saxophonist from NYC, Chris Pitsiokos.

Jazz Art Sengawa 2017 September 14-17

For other video related to the festival, see the following playlist:

Jazz Art Sengawa on YouTube

Jazz Art Sengawa 2017: September 13-17

This year's Jazz Art Sengawa will be held on September 13-17 at Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo.

Jazz Art Sengawa is an festival for jazz, avant-pop, and improvised music as a showcase for acts from Japan and abroad. From its inception, it has been led by three artists, Makigami Koichi, Fujiwara Kiyoto, and Sakamoto Hiromichi. The main venue for the event is Sengawa Theatre, which is located in Chofu, a west surburb of Tokyo.

And this year's event there are two things outstanding change. One is duration - now it's vastly expanded as 5 days event, as it had been set for 3 days long in the past. And the other is a return of John Zorn's Cobra. While it's been absent from the festival for a few years, the ever-popular game piece was a big attraction, and now it's back.

Of course Hikashu is on the roster as well - and this time they are with Chris Pitsiokos, a prominent NYC saxophonist who participated in the band's recording session last May. And this is the first time they play together in public.

Metropolis, a Tokyo-based English magazine, has this to say:

Addressing Japan’s staid jazz festival scene is Jazz Art Sengawa, at a sleek Tadao Ando development in suburban Sengawa. This year’s event takes in performances by Makigami himself alongside co-director/ cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto, with the theme, “feral ·intimate·alive.” Makigami will direct a staging of John Zorn’s notorious game-theory music piece “Cobra” to conclude the event, and also perform with his influential art-punk group Hikashu. Sakamoto will attack his cello as per usual with power tools, an experience that seldom fails to startle. Also on the bill are one-time Sonic Youth member and noted noise music artist Jim O’Rourke, along with Rob Turner, the percussionist behind GoGo Penguin, a British trio acclaimed for its innovative mashups of elements of electronica, trip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical music.

The schedule is as follows:


September 13 Wednesday

19:30-
Fujii Satoko Orchestra Tokyo featuring Alister Spence


September 14 Thursday

19:30-
Tokumarushugo + Kafka Ibiki
Kafka Ibiki - Jim O'Rourke, Ishibashi Eiko, Yamamoto Tatsuhisa

Jazz Art Trio
Makigami Koichi, Fujiwara Kiyoto, Sakamoto Hiromichi


September 15 Friday

19:30-
John Zorn's Cobra


September 16 Saturday

13:30-15:00 directed by Makigami Koichi
VocColours with Kita Yoichiro
Komori Keiko + Morgan Fisher + Makigami Koichi

16:30-18:00 directed by Sakamoto Hiromichi
"An Encounter with silent film"
Minakata Michiko
Nanao Tabito + Sakamoto Hiromichi with silent film screening

19:30-21:00 directed by Fujiwara Kiyoto
Itabashi Fumio + Fujiwara Kiyoto
Daifukusei (Saito Kazushi, Fukuda Ayumi)


September 17 Sunday

13:30-15:00 directed by Sakamoto Hiromichi
Nakamura Tasuya + PIKA + Sakamoto Hiromichi with Nagamekurashitsu (Neguro Yosuke, Hasegawa Itsumi, Yasuoka Ako, and others)

16:30-18:00 directed by Fujiwara Kiyoto
Sakata Akira + Peter Madsen + Fujirawa Kiyoto
Matsumoto Osamu Musica Immaginaria
(Sone Mao, Nakayama Takumi, Hirayama Junko, Matsumoto Osamu, Yamada Azusa, Katano Goro, Nozaki Kurara, Yamada Rei)

19:30-21:00 directed by Makigami Koichi
Hikashu with Chris Pitsiokos
(Makigami Koichi, Mita Freeman, Sakaide Masami, Shimizu Kazuto, Sato Masaharu)


Ticket is currently available. Go get them while it's out.

Jazz Art Sengawa facebook

Jazz Art Sengawa 2017 - Sengawa Theatre website

Hikashu at Jazz Art Sengawa Metropolis

September 13-17, 2017
Jazz Art Sengawa
@ Sengawa Theatre
Chofu, Tokyo
6,800 yen for 1 day ticket
12,500 yen for 2 days ticket
18,000 yen for 5 days pass

Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo

Food (Iain Ballamy, Thomas Strønen) with Makigami Koichi Japan tour 2016 September 18-21

Food, improvised music unit consisted with Iain Ballamy on saxophone and Thomas Strønen on drums, tours Japan this month. The dates are as follows:

September 18 - Jazz Art Sengawa, Tokyo
September 19 - Odawara Castle, Odawara, Kanagawa
September 20 - Super Deluxe, Roppongi, Tokyo
September 21 - Dolphy, Yokohama

Food plays as duo as well as with invited guests. This tour is no exception - all the dates are with Makigami and other interesting artists.

Food official site







September 18, 2016
@ Jazz Art Sengawa
Chofu, Tokyo
guest: Hikashu
See here for details.


September 19, 2016
"Kanagawa Re-Koten Project"
@ Odawara Castle Park
Odawara, Kanagawa
guest: Arzhan Suu (Makigami Koichi and Sato Masaharu)
open 18:00 - start 18:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
re-coten2016.com

Odawara Joushi Koen, Odawara, Kanagawa



September 20, 2016
@ Super Deluxe
Roppongi, Tokyo
guest: Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin), Jim O'Rourke (guitar), Ishibashi Eiko (keyboard)
open 19:30 - start 20:00
adv 3,500 yen - at door 4,000 yen
https://www.super-deluxe.com

Super Deluxe, Roppongi, Tokyo



September 21, 2016
@ Dolphy
Yokohama
guest: Makigami Koichi
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 3,500 yen - at door 3,800 yen
www.dolphy-jazzspot.com

Dolphy, Yokohama

This year's Jazz Art Sengawa is held on September 16-18

【開催決定！】
今回で9回目を迎える即興音楽イベント、今年も開催します！
「JAZZ ART せんがわ2016」9/16（金）～18（日）
※詳細は決まり次第アップします。乞うご期待！https://t.co/uHFTH4Mc3t pic.twitter.com/TcrAW9mGtN

— せんがわ劇場 (@SengawaG) 2016年4月20日

It's just announced that the date of this year's Jazz Art Sengawa has been set on september 16-18.

Produced by three outstanding musicians, Makigami Koichi, Sakamoto Hiromichi and Fujiwara Kiyoto, the annual festival for advanced pop, avant jazz and improvised music is artist-led and supported by the city of Chofu, the west suburb of Tokyo.

It started in 2008 so this year's is the 9th. It's a sort of miracle that such a bold and ambitious attempt has been continued this long.

Right now there is no information about the line-up but we'll let you know when it's available. All we can tell you is that this event is one of the best in this country and if you are interested in unusual but utterly interesting expression of music you must see this thing. It's convenient (15 minutes from central Tokyo by train), economic (quite affordable 3-day ticket available), and interesting (many bright acts including Hikashu). They're always up to our expectations and we're sure this time's no exception so make a mark on your calender not to miss it.

Thomas Strønen's Time is a Blind Guide Japan Tour 2015

 This month Thomas Strønen's new group called Time is a Blind Guide will tour Japan for the first time. The tour is organized by Makigami Koichi.


The personnel is:

Haakon Åse - violin
Lucy Railton - cello
Kit Downes - piano
Conor Chaplin - bass
Thomas Strønen - drums, compositions

The group performs Strønen's compositions and has already recorded the first album, which will be available soon from ECM records of Germany.

The dates are:

September 20 Jazz Art Sengawa, Chofu, Tokyo
September 21 Kiunkaku, Atami, Shizuoka
September 22 Jazz Spot Analog, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
September 23 Sakuraza, Kofu, Yamanashi
September 24 Cafe Cube, Kyoto
September 25 KD japon, Nagoya
September 27 Music la Festa, Numazu, Shizuoka
September 28 Pit-Inn, Shinjuku, Tokyo


For some of the dates, Makigami will join as an opening act with his company, Sato Masaharu on percussion and Janmah Shimamura on electric guitar.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Time-is-A-blind-Guide-Japan-Tour-2015







September 20, 2015
@ Jazz Art Sengawa
Chofu, Tokyo
start 19:30
at door 3,000 yen - 1,500 yen for student

Sengawa Theatre, Chofu, Tokyo



September 21, 2015
@ Kiunkaku
Atami, Shizuoka
oepn 14:00 - start 14:30
adv 3,500 yen - at door 3,800 yen

Kiunkaku, Atami, Shizuoka



September 22, 2015
@ Jazz Spot Analog
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
open 19:00 - start 20:00
4,500 yen

Jazz Spot Analog, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka



September 23, 2015
@ Sakuraza
Kofu, Yamanashi
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 4,500 yen - at door 5,000 yen
www.sakuraza.jp

Sakuraza, Kofu, Yamanashi



September 24, 2015
@ Cafe Cube
Kyoto
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 5,000 yen - at door 5,500 yen

Cafe Cube, Kyoto



September 25, 2015
@ KD japon
Nagoya
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 4,500 yen - at door 5,000 yen (3,000 yen for student)

KD japon, Nagoya



September 27, 2015
@ Music la Festa
Numazu, Shizuoka
4,500 yen - 2,500 yen for under 15
music-la-festa.net

Music la Festa, Numazu, Shizuoka



September 28, 2015
@ Pit-Inn
Shinjuku, Tokyo
open 19:30 - start 20:00
adv 5,000 yen - at door 5,500 yen
www.pit-inn.com

Pit-Inn, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Jazz Art Sengawa 2014

Jazz Art Sengawa, one of the most celebrated events for jazz and improvisation in Japan, is held on September 5-7 this year. The venue is Sengawa Theatre at Chofu, Tokyo. Its producers are Makigami Koichi, Sakamoto Hiromichi, and Fujiwara Kiyoto.



September 5, Friday


Art Parade

Opening Ceremony

An Evening of Improvised Music



September 6, Saturday


13:00-15:00
"eyes"

Ito Kimu (voice, dance)
Honaga Yoko (dance)
Sugadairo (piano)
Yamamoto Tatsuhisa (drums, electronics)
Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, musicalsaw, electronics)

directed by Sakamoto Hiromichi


16:30-18:00
"ears"

Senwara with Uchihashi Kazuhisa
Senwara - Rully Shabara (vocals), Wukir Suryadi (bambuwukir, bamboo flute)
Uchihashi Kazuhisa (guitar, daxophone)

Hikashu with Oki Itaru
Hikashu - Makigami Koichi (vocal, cornet, theremin), Mita Freeman (guitar), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano, synthesizer, bass clarinet), Sato Masaharu (drums)
Oki Itaru (trumpet)

directed by Makigami Koichi


19:30-21:00
"nose"

Sakata Akira (saxophone)
Andrea Centazzo (drums, percussion)
Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass)

directed by Fujiwara Kiyoto



September 7, Sunday


13:30-15:00
"hands"

Hirata Yasuko (vocal)
Takenaka Shunji (guitar)
Ishii Akira (piano)
Yamasaki Hiroshi (drums)
Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass)
Soon kim (saxophone)
Kodo Kenkyukai (taiko drums)
Ino Nobuyoshi (bass)
Endo Sada (bass)
Kato Hisashi (bass)

directed by Fujiwara Kiyoto


16:30-18:00
"mouth"

Yanagiya Koharu (vocal, shamisen)
Pearl Alexander (bass)
Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin)

R.U.B. - Ned Rothenberg (saxophone, shakuhachi), Samm Bennett (drums, percussion), Uchihashi Kazuhisa (guitar, daxophone)

directed by Makigami Koichi


19:30-21:00
"legs"

Tomokawa Kazuki (vocal, guitar)
Yamamoto Seiichi (electric guitar)
Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, musicalsaw, electronics)

Pet Bottle Ningen - Dave Scanlon (guitar), Yoshida Nonoko (saxophone), Dave Miller (drums)

directed by Sakamoto Hiromichi


Jazz Art Sengawa on YouTube







September 6-7, 2014
Jazz Art Sengawa
@ Sengawa Gekijo
Chofu, Tokyo

Sengawa Gekijo (Theatre), Chofu, Tokyo

Jazz Art Sengawa 2012

Jazz Art Sengawa is the best music event for jazz, avant-pop, and improvisation in Japan. This year's festival will be held on July 20-22.

The line-up is utterly impressive as always, and of course it includes Hikashu.

What makes this event so special is that it is curated and organized by musicians themselves. And it is for music cognoscenti. Just take a look at the line-up and you could see that clearly.

Also, geographically, it is very convenient if you are in Tokyo area. Sengawa is a town located in Chofu, westside of Tokyo. It could be accessed by Keio line, took 20 minutes from Shinjuku. There is an entry on Wikipedia about Sengawa Station, here

There are three venues used for this year's festival - Sengawa Theater, Kick Back Cafe, and Jenny's Kitchen. The line-up and ticket information are as follows.


July 9 update: Regarding the Sengawa Theater shows, 3 day Ticket and 1 day Ticket for July 21 are both sold out. For the other days, the supply is limited as well so better obtain them in hurry.


July 20, Friday

@ Sengawa Theater

18:30-
Chikotsu

19:00-19:30
Ito Hiromi (poetry reading), Sawai Kazue (koto)

20:00-21:00
Cicara-Mvta
Okuma Wataru (clarinet), Ohta Keisuke (violin), Sakurai Yoshiki (guitar), Kawaguchi Yoshiyuki (alto saxophone), Kita Yoichiro (trumpet), Sekijima Takero (tuba), Yoshida Tatsuya (drums), Kogure Miwazo (chin-dong)

@ Kick Back Cafe

19:00-
Oorutaichi (voice, electronics), Tonchi (guitar, voice)


July 21, Saturday

@ Sengawa Theater

11:00-11:40
"Voice Play for Children"
Ootaka Shizuru (vocal), Carl Stone (computer, electronics), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello)

12:30-14:00
"Open Session for Improvisation" [admission free]

15:30-16:10
Kurachi Fumio (vocal, guitar), Kikuchi Naruyoshi (tenor saxophone, keyboard), Sotoyama Akira (drums)

17:00-17:40
Pet Bottle Ningen
Dave Scanlon (guitar), Yoshida Nonoko (saxophone), Dave Miller (drums)

18:30-19:10
Fujiwara Kiyoto Trio plus Makigami Koichi
Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass), Davide Santorsola (piano), Fuke Shunsuke (drums), Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin)

20:00-20:40
Sakata Akira (alto saxophone, clarinet, vocal), Jim O'Rourke (guitar), Takaoka Daisuke (tuba), Yamamoto Tatsuhisa (drums)

@ Kick Back Cafe

19:30-
Charan-Po-Rantan

@ Jenny's Kitchen

14:40-15:20
Usuraginu
Saga Yuki (vocal), Mizutani Hiroaki (bass)

16:20-17:00
Fuwa Daisuke (bass), Izumi Kunihiro (alto saxophone, vocal)

17:50-18:30
Higashino Shoko (dance), Ichiraku Toshiyuki (drums), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello)

19:20-20:00
Tokyo Slim
Katayama Hiroaki (tenor saxophone), Tatsumi Mitsuhide (trumpet), Takahashi Yasuyuki (trombone), Ino Nobuyoshi (bass), Yamaguchi Koichi (keyboards), Fujikake Masataka (drums)


July 22, Sunday

@ Sengawa Theater

11:00-11:45
"Sunday Matinee Concert" [admission free]
Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass)

12:30-13:10
mito from clammbon (guitar), Katsui Yuji (violin), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello)

14:00-14:40
Hikashu
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet, shakuhachi), Mita Freeman (guitar), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano, bass-clarinet), Sato Masaharu (drums)

15:30-16:10
Oki Itaru (trumpet), Tchangodei (piano), Kikuchi Mari (hapner)

17:00-17:40
Umezu Kazutoki (alto saxophone), Kumagai Kazunori (tap), Shimizu Kazuto (piano), Winchester Nii Tete (percussions)

19:30-21:00
John Zorn's Cobra Sengawa Operation Sakamoto Hiromichi Unit
Tanaka Yoshikazu (alto saxophone), Pika (drums, voice), Goto Mariko (guitar, vocal), Nakajima Sachiko (piano), Takehisa Ken (drums), Fujikake Masataka (drums), Yoshino Hiroshi (bass), Yamakawa Fuyuki (voice) and others

@ Jenny's Kitchen

13:20-14:00
Yanagiya Koharu (vocal, shamisen), Ikezawa Ryusaku (drums)

14:50-15:30
Samm Bennett (vocal, guitar), Makigami Koichi (voice)

16:40-17:20
Higuchi Keiko (vocal), Kanda Shinichiro (piano)

18:10-18:50
Kato Takayuki (guitar) solo


The Producers of the festival are Makigami Koichi, Fujiwara Kiyoto, and Sakamoto Hiromichi.

Note: the time table for Jenny's Kitchen is to be announced. Some personnels are yet fixed as well. All subject to be updated.

June 11 update: The time table for Jenny's Kitchen added. Some personnels are updated.

Ticket information

Sengawa Theater:
All the tickets are available at Sengawa Theater box office.

3 day ticket - 12,000 yen

1 day ticket:
3,000 yen for July 20
5,000 yen each for July 21 and 22
The 1-day ticket applies for all program (except "Voice Play for Children" on July 21, which required 500 yen for advance or 1,000 yen at door separately - Free admission for children under 5 years old. Session for Improvisation, and Sunday Matinee Concert are admission free).
The prices here are for advance - plus 500 yen each at door.

1 stage ticket - 2,500 yen for each act, sold only on the day of the performance. Start selling at Sengawa Theater box office at 10:00 AM.

Please note: you can't see the shows if you have just the 1-day ticket or 3-day ticket only! For entrance, you need a pass, which issued for each day.

To obtain the pass, exchange your 1-day or 3-day ticket with it at the Sengawa Theater office. Need not to hurry - You should get the pass if you have the day's ticket.


Kick Back Cafe:
adv 3,500 yen - at door 4,000 yen for each day
(one drink or food order minimum)
tickets available at the venue. For reservation, call the cafe at 03-5384-1577 or mail to info@kickbackcafe.jp (Japanese)


Jenny's Kitchen:
1 day ticket
adv 3,500 yen - at door 4,000 yen
1 stage ticket
adv 1,500 yen - at door 2,000 yen for each act
ticket available at the Sengawa Theater box office


Remember - all the tickets are available limited quantities only, so better be in hurry.


Jazz Art Sengawa official site (Japanese)

Jazz Art Sengawa 2012 Facebook


For your reference:

Jazz Art Sengawa - Cellist Hiromichi Sakamoto and Japan's avant-garde build a home of their own Metropolis, August 25, 2011

Live Reports - Jazz Art Sengawa 2010 Metropolis, July 12, 2010

Jazz Art Sengawa on YouTube


Sengawa Theater

View Larger Map


Kick Back Cafe, Sengawa

View Larger Map

Jenny's Kitchen, Sengawa

View Larger Map


Jazz Art Sengawa 2011 digest

Related Entries:
Jazz Byobu After Dark
Jazz Art Sengawa 2010
Jazz Art Sengawa

Currents: March 2012

Uragoe - the first impression

We finally took a listen to the new album. After the gig with Kuro Yagi Shiro Yagi last week, Makigami played the yet-unreleased album entirely through the PA system of Bar Isshee in Shibuya, Tokyo.

We don't want to spoil your listening pleasure so keep it short - It's great of course, and there's one thing we'd like to tell you - it's not like any of their previous efforts. It's hard and pretty rocking. The rhythm section is tight as ever. It's hot as well, and we respectfully suggest you rush out and grab a copy.

HMV Japan now takes a worldwide pre-order. The link is here.


Orguss 02 OST reissue

Yes, it is. Orguss 02 OST, one of the most sought after Hikashu releases, will get reissued at last. The album has already been remastered and now plans to be out in late May. Originally released in 1992 as an original soundtrack of the video animation series, it is also the only so-called "media tie-in" title the band ever committed.

After the original release, it has never been rereleased before and now became a collector's item, unfortunately.

The remastered edition has a bonus track as well - the edited version of "Fushigi o Mitsumete," which is the one used on the actual video release.


Jazz Art Sengawa 2012 update

It's official. This year's Jazz Art Sengawa, the annual festival of jazz, improvisation and avant-pop, will be held on July 20-22.

Appearing will be Fujiwara Kiyoto, Sakamoto Hiromichi, Makigami Koichi, Oki Itaru, Cicara-mvta, Pet-Bottle Ningen, Kurachi Kumio, Kikuchi Naruyoshi, Sotoyama Akira, Ohtaka Shizuru, Kuramubon Mito, Davide Santorsola, Hikashu and more!

Club Jazz Byobu - Nomination and Exhibit

It's announced that Club Jazz Byobu is selected as a finalist for the prestigious Ito Kisaku Award of set design.

Organized by Japan Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians (JATDT), the award is given annually for the best set design works of the previous year and named after Ito Kisaku, the famed set designer known for theatre and film. The entry for Ito on IMDb is here.

Club Jazz Byobu, proudly billed as "the world's smallest jazz venue," is a movable stage set for performance and operated in conjuction with Jazz Art Sengawa.

Nagamine Maki, the designer, expressed her delight for the nomination via twitter and thanked to all involved for their support.

Also, there will be an exhibition of the nominees for the award at Kinokuniya Gallery of Shinjuku this month. Of course, Club Jazz Byobu will be displayed with related documents, along with other finalists.

JATDT website (Japanese)



Club Jazz Byobu 2010


Nagamine Maki performed at Prague Quadrennial Japan Booth on June 18, 2011.


March 22-27, 2012
"Finalists for the 39th Ito Kisaku Award"
@ Kinokuniya Gallery
Kinokuniya Bookstore Building, 4th floor
Shinjuku, Tokyo
10:00-18:30 (closed 18:00 on March 27)

Kinokuniya Bookstore, Shinjuku, Tokyo

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Currents: February 2012

Soba de Yokereba, a rare picture disc from Hikashu, released in 1985

Uragoe Tour

Hikashu plans to do a tour of west Japan in early May for the support of their newest album, Uragoe. Right now it includes Kobe on May 6, Kyoto on May 7, and Nagoya on May 8. Please note that the schedule is still under coordination and subject to change. More on this later.


Jazz Art Sengawa 2012

Jazz Art Sengawa 2012 is under preparation, and plans to be held on 20-22 of July. Being reached the 5th year, the 3-day annual festival still continues to be small but intimate, truly eclectic and simply one of the best music event in Japan. Of course the main curator is Makigami Koichi so Hikashu is likely to appear as they have before in the past.


Dance Music Series

Regarding reissue project of the past Hikashu recordings, Makigami Koichi and Inoue Makoto has been working on the archival tapes from mid 1980s. At that time, the band made some music for contemporary dance and ballet troupe. Some of them were released as "Soba de Yokereba" and "Nanimo Kamo Odore" in 1985 and 1987 respectively. And those are the albums which they'd like to resurface.

Being tentatively called "Dance Music Series," those recordings have never been re-released but now finally be reissued after all those years. Although the details still not revealed, the albums are expected to include new mix and bonus tracks, as the two have done on the superb "Watashi No Tanoshimi" (which is also a part of the series) reissue in 2010. Can't wait.

Jazz Byobu After Dark

Club Jazz Byobu, "the smallest jazz venue in the world" operated only at Jazz Art Sengawa, are mainly placed outside during daytime. After the dusk comes, the byobu would be moved inside the Sengawa Theatre and opened for musicians.

The video quoted here is recorded on July 11, 2010 - the last day of the year's festival. The musicians, including Mita Freeman and Shimizu Kazuto from Hikashu, were jamming and amused themselves.

Club Jazz Byobu continues this year. Experience the intimacy with musicians, and nice acoustics of the space.


Related Entry:
Jazz Art Sengawa 2011

Shiraishi Kazuko - the Great Dame of Japanese Literature

It has been known that Jazz Art Sengawa features literary figures in its program. The tradition continues this year: Jazz Art Sengawa 2011 has a reading of Shiraishi Kazuko.

Simply put, she is one of leading poet in Japan. Her work is renowned outside the country and many of her pieces are translated in English and other languages.

She is also known to be deeply connected in jazz. She wrote about the music many times and performed with jazz musicians in public.

Recently turned 80, she is alive and kicking. Her voice is strong, her presence is so huge, and her reading is eloquent and imaginative.

For those who are interested, there are biographies of her in English available online:

Kazuko Shiraishi - Poetry International Web

Kazuko Shiraishi — internationales literaturfestival berlin


There is an interesting article about herself and her connection with jazz in Japan Times:

POETRY'S LONE STAR Kazuko Shiraishi does it her way (Japan Times)




Don't miss the opportunity. Just come to Jazz Art Sengawa this friday and listen to Shiraishi Kazuko, the Great Dame of Japanese Literature.

Related Entry:
Jazz Art Sengawa 2011

Jazz Art Sengawa 2010 video digest

The video clip of Jazz Art Sengawa 2010 is just surfaced.

The following is the listing of the people in the clip, in order of appearance:


Art Parade

Tanikawa Shuntaro (poetry) at Jazz Byobu

Tanikawa Shuntaro (poetry), Tanikawa Shunsaku (piano) plus Sasaki Mikio Voice Space

Haco (vocal, electronics), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello), Arai Ryoji (live painting)

Nanao Tavito (vocal, guitar), Makigami Koichi (voice)

Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass), Komatsu Reiko (percussion)

Umezu Kazutoki (alto saxophone), Tanaka Min (butoh), Yamashita Yosuke (piano)


Right now there is only the video of day one uploaded. We'll post here if the clips of other days are available online.

Jazz Art Sengawa 2011 is coming this weekend. See here for information.

Jazz Art Sengawa 2011

The 4th Jazz Art Sengawa, simply the best Jazz and Improvising Music event for the advanced minded in Japan, will be held on September 9-11 in Chofu, Tokyo. The producers are Makigami Koichi, Fujiwara Kiyoto and Sakamoto Hiromichi.

The festival will take place at the three venues in Sengawa: Sengawa Theatre, Kick Back Cafe and Jenny's Kitchen.

The ticket plan is much simpler this year. You buy tickets for each day and it's valid for all the venue, all the program (there are some exceptions - see notes below)

The line-up, which shown below, is a killer.

September 9, Friday

@ Sengawa Theatre

17:20-
Art Parade

18:00-18:30
Opening Ceremony

19:00-19:40
Shiraishi Kazuko (poetry reading), Ino Nobuyoshi (bass), Makigami Koichi (theremin)

20:30-21:20
Hosoe Hidenori (photo screening), Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass), Umezu Kazutoki (reeds), Yoshida Ryuichi (baritone saxophone), Ono Yoshito (butoh)

@ Kick Back Cafe

19:30-21:30
Sato Masaharu and his friends - Jazz Art Special
Sato Masaharu (drums, voice, guitar), Ota Keisuke (violin, voice), Kido Natsuki (guitar), Kira Tomohiko (guitar), Sakaide Masami (bass), Yanagiya Koharu (shamisen, vocal), Izumi Kunihiro (alto saxophone)


September 10, Saturday

@ Sengawa Theatre

11:00-11:40
Voice Play for Children
Hachiya Maki (voice), Rocket Matsu (keyboard), Ishikawa Koji (percussion)

12:30-13:10
Hihokan
Saito Ryo (drums), Kouketsu Masayo (alto saxophone), Suga Dairo (piano), Sato Erika (bass), Atami Houko (secrecy)

14:00-14:40
Kaze
Christian Pruvost (trumpet), Tamura Natsuki (trumpet), Fujii Satoko (piano), Peter Orins (drums)

15:30-17:00
Free Improvising Open Session moderated by the producers #1

17:40-18:20
Fujiwara Kiyoto Jump Monk Bass Band Special (Jump Monk BBS)
Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass), Kuriyama Yuuki (trumpet), Miyaki Kensuke (baritone saxophone), Hirose Mariko (guitar), Ito Kazuki (guitar), Matuyama Osamu (drums), Endo Osamu (bass), Kakimoto Ronri (bass), Suzuki Hajime (bass), Kato Hisashi (bass)

19:10-19:50
Sakai Shun (vocal), Ishibashi Eiko (vocal, piano), Yamamoto Tatsuhisa (drums), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello)

20:30-21:10
Hikashu with Fujiwara Daisuke
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet), Mita Freeman (guitar, vocal), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano, bass clarinet), Sato Masaharu (drums), Fujiwara Daisuke (tenor saxophone)

@ Kick Back Cafe

14:00-15:30　
Arai Ryoji (guitar, vocal), Moon Mama aka Pika (guitar, vocal, drums), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello)

19:30-21:30
NON BAND - Hirosaki Unit
NON (bass, vocal), Ishida Hajime (guitar), Tsushima Shouta (percussion) with the guests: Tamagishi Rinnnosuke, Tamagaki Mitsuru, Sasaki Emi

@ Jenny's Kitchen

13:10-13:50　
Oncenth Trio
Kurita Taeko (piano), Iwami Keigo (bass), Ikezawa Ryusaku (drums)

14:50-15:30
Hachiya Maki (voice), Rocket Matsu (keyboard), Ishikawa Koji (percussion)

16:10-17:10
Soejima Teruto Jazz Art Talk Session "Japanese Free Jazz and the World"

18:20-19:00
Giovanni Di Domenico (piano), Takaoka Daisuke (tuba) duo


September 11, Sunday

@ Sengawa Theatre

11:00-11:45
Sunday Matinée Concert:
Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello)

12:30-14:00
Free Improvising Open Session moderated by the producers #2

15:00-15:40
Yagi Michiyo Double Trio
Yagi Michiyo (koto), Tanaka Noritaka (drums), Sugawa Takashi (bass, cello), Honda Tamaya (drums), Todd Nicholson (bass)

16:30-17:10
Sakata Akira (reeds, vocal), Jim O'Rourke (guitar), Pika (drums, voice), Takaoka Daisuke (tuba)

18:00-18:40
Sato Masahiko (piano), Ota Keisuke (violin, voice), Imabori Tsuneo (guitar), Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin)

20:00-21:30
John Zorn's Cobra "Sengawa Operation" Kanda Yoshiko Unit
Arima Sumihisa (computer), Ohishi Masanori (saxophone), Kanda Yoshiko (percussion), Kinowaki Dougen (flute), Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello), Sato Masahiko (piano), Shiba Tesu (pianica), Tanaka Yumiko (gidayu, shamisen), Nakamura Hitomi (hichiriki), Hashimoto Shinya (tuba), Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass), Matudaira Takashi (baritone saxophone), Honda Tamaya (drums), Makigami Koichi (prompter)

@ Jenny's Kitchen

14:10-14:50
Izumi Kunihiro (alto saxophone) solo

15:40-16:20　
Katayama Hiroaki (tenor saxophone), Fujikake Masataka (drums), Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin)

17:10-17:50
Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello), Kita Naoki (violin), Pearl Alexander (bass)

18:50-19:30
Sakata Akira (alto saxophone) solo


1 day Ticket:
4,000 yen for September 9
5,000 yen each for September 10 and 11
The 1-day ticket applies for all program (except "Voice Play for Children" on September 11, which required 500 yen separately - Free admission for children under 5 years old. Free Improvising Open Session and Sunday Matinee Concert are admission free.). The prices here are for advance - plus 500 yen each at door.

Sep 7 update: 1 day ticket for September 11 (Sunday) is now sold out. You can still buy the ticket for each program of the day. Its price is 2,500 yen and available at the Sengawa Theatre office (open at 10:00 AM). The quantities are strictly limited (and each person can buy up to 2 tickets only), so come early.

Please note: you can't see the shows if you have just the 1-day ticket only! You need both a pass (issued for each day) and a numbered ticket (issued for each program).

To see the shows, follow the step:

1. Exchange your 1-day ticket with the day's pass at the Sengawa Theatre office. Don't hurry - You should get the pass if you have the day's ticket.

2. Get a numbered ticket for the program you'd like to see, at the venue of the program. If you want a good seat, be in a hurry - it's "first come, first served" basis.

3. Wait in a line at the venue. When your turn comes, show your pass and numbered ticket at the entrance.

The 1-day tickets are now available at Sengawa Theatre office. For details, call the office at 03-3300-0611 (Japanese Only)


Here's the manifest for this year's festival;

Get back the life!
That's the theme for the festival this year.
It's a core of improvisational performance;
Disappear when it's born,
and bore when it disappears;
It's a sense of magic.
Pump up the shrinked world.
Fill up the earth with the vitality.
The music is not to heal.
The music is not to help.
The music is not to deceive.
The music is not to be over.
The music is not to de defeated.
The music is to stir up the soul.
The soul of jazz refuses to be an economic slave.
The future is here.
Or try to pretend a prophet who says;
There comes a time generating electricity with music.

Makigami Koichi

Jazz Art Sengawa official site (in Japanese)





Sengawa Theatre

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Kick Back Cafe, Sengawa

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Jenny's Kitchen, Sengawa

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Related Entries:
Jazz Byobu After Dark
Jazz Art Sengawa 2010
Jazz Art Sengawa

Makigami Koichi live with Sengawa-related musicians

In late July, Makigami Koichi will perform with the musicians who appeared at Jazz Art Sengawa this year. For both the groups, this is to be the first performance.




July 25, 2010 (Sunday)
Makigami Koichi (voice, cornet), Kaneko Yasuko (trombone), Tonchi (steel pan)
Jazz Bar Lady Jane
Setagaya, Tokyo
start 19:30
music charge - 2,700 yen
Jady Jane Live Schedule (Japanese)

At Jazz Art Sengawa 2010, Kaneko performed as a member of a brass duo called Yamaneko San. Tonchi is a steel pan player who has studied the instrument in its birthplace, Trinidad. She has a MySpace account (here) where you could listen to some of her recordings. There is something with her non-verbal singing.





Jady Jane is a jazz bar with long history. It established in 1975 and started to offer live music in 1979. They have three policies for booking music: something new, experimental, and unfinished. It reflects well in their live schedule. Also the pub is famous for the actor, the late Matsuda Yusaku (wikipedia) being a frequent customer.

Jazz Bar Lady Jane

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July 27, 2010 (Tuesday)
Makigami Koichi (voice, cornet), Tamura Natsuki (trumpet), Fujii Satoko (piano)
Jazz Spot Dolphy
Sakuragicho, Yokohama
start 19:30
advance 2,700 yen, at door 3,000 yen
Jazz Spot Dolphy site (Japanese)

At Jazz Art Sengawa 2010, Fujii performed with her own orchestra which has Tamura as its member. Fujii has been active in Japanese jazz scene as a pianist and band leader for years. Also she used to study in New England Conservatory under the pianist Paul Bley. Tamura is a trumpeter who has also a prolific career in jazz. The website of Tamura and Fujii has fully English contents so just take a look at here.



Dolphy is established in 1990 and offers mainstream jazz. Occasionally the club ventures adventurous booking. For example, Makigamisantachi once performed at this place in 2005.

Jazz Spot Dolphy

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Jazz Art Sengawa 2010: Day Three and Afterthought

On the last day, the weather turned sour. Sometimes it rained heavily. The byobu had to retreat inside the theatre but there were still bright moments on it.




Yamaneko San

The brass duo of two female musicians took an unique approach for the set. Priorly they prepared the notes which have short motif of music. In performance, they would take a note and read it. Then they are to play the motif as a starting point and based on it they develop an improvisation.

All the pieces are in mid tempo, swingy and even sounded like pastorale. Affected with their personalities, there was an atmosphere of tenderness and intimacy. Overall, everything was well suited and appropriate to the festival.


Ito Atsuhiro

The subject of Jazz Art Sengawa was not limited to musician. As being evident in this year's program, it includes poets, dancers and performing artists like Ito Atsuhiro (profile). He uses fluorescent light and makes a series of interesting sounds. As he started to perform, the light flashed profusely and the sounds like thunder vibrated the air. It was quite an experience and wanted to be there longer if possible. But unfortunately I had to bail out in the midst of the performance due to the scheduling. Maybe next time.


Ito Atsuhiro with Shin Yoichiro on drums, Sony Walkman advertisement


Hikashu

The rhythm section of the group was on bandstand and had already started improvising when the gate was opened. As the audience got seated, Mita and Makigami appeared and the band went into a brand new song called "Ashita Ni Kaketa" ("Take a Chance on Tomorrow"). The uplifting number was premiered live in last May, at Star Pine's Café, and since then featured as a concert opener.

This time they were allowed only 40 minutes so everything had to be quick. It seemed that the set list was preconcerted and actually there was no lengthy improvisation between compositions. But that was not problem at all. They performed a series of the uptempo numbers mainly and there was no feeling to be something shortened or hastened.

They also did not forget to communicate with the audience. Makigami, the producer of the event, asked support for the festival. The audience responded them with warm applause.

The highlight of the set was Digital Frankenstein. In general, songs grow and evolve themselves upon repetive performance, and the number is a fine example. Usually the interplay of the rhythm section on this doom-ish song was full of dynamics but the day it was truly on astonishing level.

Overall it was a short but satisfying performance. They are always above my expectations.


John Zorn's Cobra, Otomo Yoshihide Unit

Finally came the grand finale. Cobra (wikipedia) is a game piece invented by the composer John Zorn and it regularly featured as the last repertoire of Jazz Art Sengawa.

It was Otomo who cast the musicians and the personnel was pretty interesting indeed. Besides the musicians from jazz and improvisation genre, There were people like Suneohair (vocal and guitar) and Yakushimaru Etsuko (voice) from pop field, Aya (electric bass guitar) and OLAibi (drums) from a band called OOIOO. Ishikawa Ko (profile) is a renowned player of sho (wikipedia), an 8th century wind instrument of traditional Japanese music.

As a prompter, Otomo conducted a piece at each set, but basically he concentrated on overseeing the ensemble while playing a percussion and occasionally guitar. Most of the time Makigami played the prompter. As always, he did it splendidly. It is no suprises because he knew a lot of the piece. Moreover, he has been one of the most ardent supporter of it for years and is the one who kept the torch alive in Japan, as an organizer and a prompter, at the expense of great effort. In fact, he is the only authorized prompter of Cobra, approved by John Zorn himself.

For the performer's side, Suneohair and Yakushimaru occasionally threw humorous remarks (which Makigami quickly reacted and developed) and got applauded. Also the notables are Aya and OLAibi who have been to the point thoughout the sets. Cellist (and one of the producers of the festival) Sakamoto Hiromichi took extraordinary actions, which are his trademark, and contributed to create a festive atmosphere in the room. All in all, the performance was success and so appropriate for closure.


Atferthought

This year I came to realize that Jazz Art Sengawa works well as a grand showcase of artists. One can argue that the same thing was applied for any music event in general, but in the case of Jazz Art Sengawa, the crowd are different and exceptional. To a degree, they are eclectic; a kind of people having a vast interest in various genres - not only mainstream jazz but rock, avant-pop, traditional music and free improvisation. Even it doesn't limit to music; it incorporates other field like modern poetry or contemporary dance. As far as I know, in the country, there is no other festival like Sengawa. And that also means that by appearing in Jazz Art Sengawa, performer would get an exposure to such people. From the standpoint of artist, it is of great merit.

Anyway, from the look of things, it seems that the festival of this year has already stirred strong interest among concert-goers in general. That means it is no longer for a few connoisseurs and the competition for the tickets is going to be more fierce in future. All the more reason it is advisable to get in quick next time.

In sum, it was quite a wonderful event and I really enjoyed myself being there. All kudos to Jazz Art Sengawa.



Things were getting weirder and weirder in the evening of the last day... Musicians, including the members of Fujii Satoko Orchestra Tokyo, were improvising inside and around the byobu. Shimizu Kazuto and Mita Freeman from Hikashu were also present. Shimizu was on bass clarinet and Mita "played" Mawari Shogi, a traditional board game of Japan (a brief description is here). For over 30 years, Mita has been pursuing the game and eventually have developed some philosophies of it.

Metropolis, an English free magazine based in Tokyo, has an article about the festival (here). It will be gone after a while so save it if needed.

Related Entries:
Jazz Art Sengawa 2010: Jazz Byobu Renovated and Art Parade
Jazz Art Sengawa 2010
Jazz Art Sengawa

Jazz Art Sengawa 2010: Day Two

It was a typical day in summer. The weather was sunny and it was great for Club Jazz Byobu. During the daytime, a lot of children hang around the byobu and all enjoyed themselves with it.




Free Session for Improvisation, moderated by Makigami Koichi

At first, I was surprised the venue was pretty crowded. Compared to the past two years, the number of the musicians and the size of the audience were exponentially grew. It was a good sign. Apparently the event became more popular than ever.

At the same time, it also means that the moderator has to have some burdens. Indeed, there were some moments of difficulties but Makigami handled the situations properly. Each performance was for about five minutes and between them, Makigami added comment. He also frequently talked to the audience and tried to keep the atmosphere favorable. It was appropriate and very encouraging indeed.

And I hasten to add there were brightful moments, of course. Besides amateur improvisers, there are some professional musicians participated and it gave some positive effect to the scene.


Samm Bennett

He did a short but nice set with handmade instruments. Having witnessed his solo performance in the past, I was looking forward to the set very much (First I recognized him as a proficient percussionist, so I was somewhat surprised to know his singing so good). And he responded to my expectations by singing magnificiently a number of the Americana songs he penned. He had a style and his singing is pleasant to listen to. Go see him if there's a chance.


Sakata Akira

Besides playing his instruments profusely, the veteran saxophonist rang bells, made hollers and rocked the house pretty hard.

Yagi Michiyo (12 and 16 strings koto) and Jim O'Rourke (guitar) were mostly to reserve themselves in supportive role but Pika (drums) was not. She even occasionally came to the front and sang proficiently. With two extended pieces of ferocious improvisation, they hit the audience to the core and at the end of the performance there was a huge applause.


Kokopelli

Unfortunately, as I rushed to the venue, the set was about to end. The voice-piano-drums trio was basically doing improvisation but the last number was a composition. It was a ballad, and the vocalist Saga Yuki sang about the stars and the skies. Solemn, impressive, and a nice treat to close a long day of the music instinct with life.


Related Entries:
Jazz Art Sengawa 2010: Jazz Byobu Renovated and Art Parade
Jazz Art Sengawa 2010
Jazz Art Sengawa