Immerse yourself in jazz again tonight
File.9 Big Band Encyclopedia (by Koichi Shibata)
Mayuko Niimura (Jazz Cafe Chigusa)
The Yokohama Jazz Promenade, held in October, is Yokohama's leading jazz event. Every year, a distinguished line-up of musicians from Japan and abroad gathers, filling the center of Yokohama with the sound of jazz.
Koichi Shibata, who has been the general director of this event for many years, is a true Hamakko, born in 1946 in an ironworks in Nishi-ku, Yokohama. The definition of a "Hamakko" is straightforward, positive, loyal, and caring. Shibata fits all of these criteria.
For example, I think that proactively putting young people on the big stage is a sign of the "Hamako temperament." Although they want to support young musicians, they are by no means lenient with them. Even if there are "discerning" audience members who look on skeptically at first, they are soon drawn in by their performance.
Shibata was born in 1946, a tumultuous time immediately after the war. In the center of Yokohama, there were housing units for American occupying troops, and many entertainment facilities for them. Entertainment facilities were clubs, and the club music of the time was jazz. In the chaotic atmosphere typical of a port town, big band music could be heard from all over the place, and the whole town would have been swinging.
Growing up in such an environment, the young Shibata became fascinated with catchy swing jazz and powerful big bands.
This summer, Shibata published the Big Band Encyclopedia, a massive 400-page work that introduces 600 bands and 1,300 jazz musicians.
The publication celebration party, held at a hotel in Naka-ku, Yokohama, was a huge success, with many jazz musicians, from big names to young talent, attending to celebrate.
The venue was filled with laughter from start to finish, reflecting Shibata's personality. It was also customary for the attendees to mingle and start a jam with a glass in hand. I was able to join them at the end of the party, and I had a wonderful time thinking from the bottom of my heart, "Music is great, jazz is great."
I tried to say "Congratulations, I hope it sells" with respect, but he replied with his usual tone, "You idiot! Shut up!" But right after that, he said, "Thank you." He said it with a shy smile.
This year's Yokohama Jazz Promenade will be held over two days, October 12th and 13th. In keeping with the theme of Shibata's book, many big bands will be performing.
Shibata will be casting jazz in the port city of Yokohama. Come and enjoy the music to your heart's content.
