In spite of playing the saxophone while growing up, I never really got into listening to music.  That is until I joined the jazz band in high school.  I know, I know.  I was a band nerd.  But I swear the ones who did jazz band were cool!  Nonetheless, thanks to that fateful event I still continue to listen and love jazz.

However, despite Tokyo having a good reputation for jazz, I was weary to see what it could bring to the table.  I suppose I have been spoiled with my past experiences and connections within the jazz world and besides, comparing New York City jazz to Tokyo jazz is like comparing apples and oranges.  So in any case, I was excited to see what Tokyo had to offer.

Although, mainly due to the price (ticket, food/drink, and train), I haven’t been able to make it to too many gigs.  Therefore, this blog isn’t going to be about the quality of jazz in Tokyo but rather about the treasures of the Japanese jazz scene, the jazz cafes.

Thanks to the Tokyo Jazz Society, I am just beginning to break into the world of the jazz kissaten.  Although many of these gems have closed down in recent years, many are still kickin’.  Jazz cafes are usually more akin to a small bar-type atmosphere.  They are different from jazz bars and jazz clubs in that they usually don’t have live musicians.  Instead, they continuously play all genres of jazz while customers drink coffee/beer/wine, read jazz books/magazines and chat with other jazz lovers.  Often times a group similar to ours will be holding a meeting or a get together that is in some way, shape or form related to jazz.  I love being in jazz cafes.  It gives me that sense of community that seems to be disappearing.

Do you have your own community?  Where can you find it?