I'm immersed in jazz tonight
File.3 Jazz de Bon Odori
(Mayuko Niimura/Jazz Cafe Chigusa)
In addition to the label business introduced in the previous column, Chigusa also produces and directs events related to jazz.
The event that takes the most time to prepare is the Jazz de Bon Odori , which will be held in Chigusa 's hometown of Noge. First held in 2014. The degree of chaos increases each time the event is held, and it has become a scale that cannot be expressed in one-time expressions such as "bustling" and "great success."
This year, the fourth time, was held on September 22nd and 23rd. The content is packed with prominent performers, a merry-go-round, attractive stalls in Noge, and more. A program for children was also set up, welcoming visitors to the town with content that men and women of all ages could enjoy.
As you can guess from the name of the event, the concept is "Let's dance Bon Odori with Jazz!". Arranged familiar jazz masterpieces in the style of Bon dance and choreographed in the style of Bon dance. Everyone dances in a big circle to the powerful live music performed by the musicians. If there were someone looking down on Noge from outer space during these two days, I can't help but think that some kind of communication was going on... maybe.
It is Chigusa who is doing this trick to get the area wrapped in enthusiasm.
If you've ever visited a Chigusa store, you'll know that there's no casual atmosphere in the store that says, ``Let's dance to jazz music,'' but an implicit atmosphere that says, ``Shut up and listen to the good sounds of the records!'' There are rules. Jazz has a history of being elevated to the level of art through the refinement of many outstanding musicians. I hear people say that it takes courage to open the door to Chigusa , perhaps because they believe that Chigusa is a place to listen deeply to jazz as an art form. This is the essence of a jazz cafe, and we would like to continue to maintain that style. All of us, the staff, cherish this atmosphere of the store and intend to pass it on.
So why was such a serious (?) Chigusa involved in this crazy event?
The closer we get to the essence of jazz, the more we realize that it is music for everyday life, popular music for men and women to dance to. If you go back to the origin, it is also jazz to surrender yourself to the sound and rhythm of your heart and enjoy it without reasoning. There is something in common with Japanese Bon Odori. Chigusa , who carries the billboard of Japan's oldest existing jazz café, can't just focus on academics.
When it first opened 85 years ago, Chigusa should have been a place to convey the joy of swinging jazz, music unknown to many Japanese people. Therefore, I think it is Chigusa 's duty to provide a place to enjoy jazz in various ways.
If you want to enjoy various kinds of jazz to your heart's content, you have no choice but to come to Noge Jazz de Bon Odori . Dance and drink, sing and eat, listen and get drunk. We want you to enjoy jazz with all five or six senses.
Next year, it will be held again by Chigusa Produce, so please come and visit us!
