It used to be that the jazz life followed a relatively set pattern. Young players joined the bands of older pros, learned what they could, went on to become a leader themselves and, maybe, if they were lucky, got a recording contract. Nowadays, however, jazz players are as likely to get their education at a jazz college as on the bandstand. They are also more likely to catch the ear of an A&R rep and get signed even before their sound has fully matured.

But there are some musicians, like trumpeter Tomonao Hara, who develop in a different way. Hara played in the brass band at his Chiba high school and got into jazz in college, where he studied to be a teacher. He starting playing professionally full-time at the age of 23 and released his first CD in 1996 at the age of 30. Every year since, he's released a solid album (backed by superb rhythm sections from both the United States and Japan), earning him respect as perhaps the most important trumpeter out of Japan since Terumasa Hino.

For Hara, it seems, playing good jazz is less about environment or lucky breaks than about hard work and challenge. And though he didn't follow the pattern, he really is living the "jazz life." Whereas many players may have down one aspect of jazz, or do their one trick perfectly, Hara has rounded out his playing fully. He is a savvy improviser and composer, has a polished technique and, importantly, is motivated by a restless desire for innovation.