Note: A week after the publication of this article, Tokyo Jazz Festival organizers announced Ornette Coleman will not come to Japan due to poor health.
Jazz fans in Tokyo are already a lucky bunch, but when the Tokyo Jazz Festival (TJF) announced Ornette Coleman as this year's headliner it became clear — we're downright spoiled.
"We've been trying to get him to come play the festival for years," says Atsuko Yashima, TJF's executive producer. "At his age (82), coming all the way to Tokyo for a gig is not easy. We're thrilled we could feature him."