The Nippon Club’s annual autumn music event was held at the Nippon Club on Monday, November 4. This year’s event was titled “Women in Jazz – A Spectacular Night of Jazz” and featured jazz performances by Japanese female pianists based in New York. The first half of the event consisted of a buffet dinner while members enjoyed socializing with each other, and the second half consisted of a live jazz performance by female musicians, hosted by Ms. Saori Goda and Mr. Maeda, VP & Assistant Secretary of the Nippon Club.

The first part of the performance was from a concert series, “From Tokyo to Times Square,” highlighting Japanese female jazz pianists, which was held at the Klavierhaus piano showroom in Midtown starting on November 5. The Yayoi Igawa Duo and Martha Kato Trio each performed in honor of a jazz musician, Ms. Toshiko Akiyoshi who has made great achievements as a jazz pianist.

Ms. Toshiko Akiyoshi is a Japanese jazz pianist living in New York. She has been nominated for a total of 14 Grammy Awards, was the first Japanese inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame in 1999, and was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1997. He is truly a world-class jazz artist of which Japan is proud. Mr. Charles Carlini from Decibel, organizer of “From Tokyo to Times Square,” read Toshiko Akiyoshi’s message to young Japanese female jazz pianists on her behalf.

<A Message from Ms. Toshiko Akiyoshi >

Happy that so many young Japanese women pianists are making their mark on the New York jazz scene. My journey started in Kyushu as a teenager, during the difficult days of the occupation. I had to play in dance halls, just to be able to continue playing the piano, which was important to my life. After being introduced to Teddy Wilsons recording of Sweet Lorraine, by a record collector, the beauty of which inspired me to dedicate myself to pursue and absorb jazz music. Not easy, since recordings

were not available and only in the hands of a few serious collectors. Moving to Tokyo was the beginning of my actual journey, listening to recordings in jazz coffee shops and playing with various groups, eventually forming my own. The rest is history. Now opportunities to develop are less difficult, with less resistance. The world is much smaller and I am sure these wonderful Japanese women will take their music to a new high level and hopefully add their unique perspective and heritage, enriching the jazz language. Congratulations all, for being a part of the special, Tokyo- New York connection.

Ms. Yayoi Ikawa, Piano, and Mr. Lonnie Plaxico, Base

Ms. Martha Kato, Piano, Mr. Moto Fukushima, Base, and Mr. Keita Ogawa, Drum/Percussion

The second part was a performance by the MSM Jazz Band of the Manhattan School of Music.

Ms. June Cavlan: Vocal, Mr. Eric Stern, Piano, Mr. Conrad (Cookie) Stephenson, Bass, and Mr. Adam Wacks, Drums 

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all of our member companies who sponsored this event. We would also like to thank everyone who attended the event. We hope to see you again at another Nippon Club event.