The Blue Note Jazz Club has been well-known worldwide. In the late ’80s a few American business ‘pioneers’ decided to travel to Japan in order to bring the spirit of the Blue Note’s jazz to Eastern Asia. Two Blue Note Jazz Clubs were born: one in the metropolitan city and economical heart of the country, Tokyo, and the second in Nagoya, the third largest Japanese city and full of cultural traditions. For over two decades international jazz men and women have performed there, making both venues the meeting points for jazz musicians and fans from all over Asia and beyond.
Funded in ’88 by two wealthy New York sisters, the Blue Note Tokyo is considered the best venue for live jazz in the whole Tokyo region. Located in the Aoyama area – only a few hundred meters from the Aoyama Gakuin University – the club seats about 300 people. Over the years it has hosted performances by international jazz musicians such as Sarah Vaughn, Chick Corea, the Jim Hall Quartet, the Kyle Eastwood band and many others. Japanese-American pianist and NEA Jazz Master in 2007, Toshiko Akiyoshi has released several albums of live recordings including Last Live in Blue Note Tokyo and Toshiko Akiyoshi Trio Live at the Blue Note Tokyo ’97. Booker T. & the M.G.’s bassist and Stax Records session man Donald “Duck” Dunn died in his sleep at the Blue Note hotel after a musical marathon of 5 double shows.
The second of the Blue Notes, Blue Note Nagoya, located in the historical Chubu region, has been carrying the torch of jazz into the hearts of Japanese people since its opening. Following the philosophy of NYC’s Blue Note, it has promoted, showcased and spread jazz music all over the country. A high-end jazz venue, similar in stature to the Tokyo club, it has hosted concerts by several critically acclaimed jazz stars. A house of jazz in central Japan, classy drinks and high quality menus, the Blue Note in Nagoya has become one of Asia’s most popular and most visited live music venues.
Alongside the Blue Note in Milano in Italy, the Blue Note Tokyo and Nagoya have taken the original NYC clubs passion, commitment to jazz and have hosted numerous sell out performances that have been very positively reviewed, by local and international press. Nagoya or Tokyo, Tokyo or Nagoya? Each club has it peculiarities, but both achieve their main goal in a marvelous way: to bring great live jazz music to fans. Easy to say, not so easy to do in practice.
The Blue Note has become the name, the brand, of what is considered one of the world’s top jazz venues. USA, Europe and Asia: there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Blue Note spirit in three different continents!
[Picture credits: Blue Note Tokyo]
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[…] will be lost in translation. An renown music venue, Blue Note Clubs can also be found in New York, Tokyo, and Milano. For a fuller review of the Blue Note chain of clubs in Japan, please visit our review […]
esteemed canadian artist looking to perform
hello
i work for a top canadian blue grass country artist named Petunia. Attached is a performance request letter. We are looking forward to book a performance with you to occur in 6 months as part of a Japan tour. I look forward to your response as soon as possible
kind regards
duncan ewing
Hi there. I am a Jazz Vocalist from Melbourne Australia. We have a newly released album called “Dream Serenades” Would you like a copy to showcase on your Jazz Radio Station.
The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet.
Website: http://www.rubypage.com
The Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet
Ruby Page, Joe Ruberto & Bob Venier sing super tight, three part harmony with influences from legendary vocal groups such as The Four Freshmen, The Singers Unlimited and The Hi Lo’s.
Their repertoire centers on traditional and modern jazz standards, with a strong foundation of straight-ahead jazz accompaniment. A truly captivating musical experience!
Here are two videos of two of the songs:
This time the dreams on me – Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNLAyVSuDGQ
It don’t mean a thing – Ruby Page & Joe Ruberto Jazztet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgnH83TbOdo
Love to play our music for you!!
Love & Light…Ruby
I was very disappointed with the staff at the Blue Note, Japan. When I heard that Ron Carter would be playing, I called the club and asked for an interview with Mr. Carter. A day later they called back and said it wouldn’t be possible. Since Mr. Carter is 83 and one of the few left from the Miles Davis/Thelonious Monk group I really wanted an interview with him. So I purchased the $100 ticket, took my recording gear and camera and headed for the Blue Note. The place is very impressive and professional, but their policies are outdated. No photos and no recording, not just during the performance, but nowhere in the building is recording allowed. I had the accompanying musicians from Philly, New Orleans, and Florida in agreement for an interview after the set and if I could have gotten to Mr. Carter I felt sure he would have given me a few minutes as well, but the Blue Note staff would not allow it. No recording inside the building they insisted. What a stupid policy for a jazz venue. How else do we preserve the heritage of these dying luminaries? But, in all fairness to the staff; the bartender was superb. the waitresses were outstanding and even the remaining staff were polite and courteous, it’s just that I had travelled around the world and there in my face stood a jazz legend whose days are numbered and I couldn’t help preserve and promote his legacy in the Mississippi Delta. What a disappointment.