Since the era of trumpeter Fumio Nanni (1910–1975), who was one of the first Japanese jazz performers to gain international popularity, Japan has been gaining unsurpassable momentum in the jazz music scene.Now in its 13th year, the Tokyo International Jazz Festival is once again boasting a vivacious parade of cream‐of‐the‐crop musicians from all corners of the globe. Starting on September 5, the World Jazz Voyage night brings you the Klezmofobia SWISS ELECTRO JAZZ NIGHT—GRAND PIANORAMAX at the Plaza, simultaneously with Molly Johnson’s Oscar Peterson Tribute at Cotton Club Tokyo. The next day, September 6, the main Kokusai Forum Hall will surely blast with the throbbing “Jazz Power” of Michel Camilo and Hiromi, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, and Makoto Ozone, back-to-back with Japanese jazz stars Masayoshi Takanaka with Nobu Saito, Masahiro Miyazaki, and more. None other than the diva queen Chaka Khan ignites the premiere night at the Tokyo International Forum Hall.
Herbie Hancock (Photo: © Douglas Kirkland)
Incredible performers continue to titillate the jazz crowd on September 6 and 7: Herbie Hancock and his band, Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Ahmad Jamal, Hiromi’s Trio Project the Dutch and French Jazz Garden guests, such as Baptiste Trotignon and others. At the Plaza, a diverse potpourri of talents will be holding it down: Simon Phillips, Robi Botos, Wouter Hamel, Kyle Shepherd, Fabrizio Bosso and more complete the World Jazz Voyage theme. Fabrizio Bosso, Italy’s highly acclaimed trumpet player and an almost yearly regular favorite in Japan, performs at the Tokyo Jazzfest for the first time with his new quartet, Julian Oliver Mazzariello, Luca Alemanno, and Nicola Angelucci.
Don’t miss this unforgettable and exciting entourage of the world’s best jazz sounds and rhythms!
When: September 6–8
Where: Tokyo International Forum Hall and Cotton Club Tokyo (see map)
How much: The Hall: ¥3,800‐¥9,800 (one‐day pass ¥18,600); The Club: ¥3,600; The Plaza: free
Main image: ©Laura Bianca
