Yokohama is Japan's hometown of jazz, and though Kobe and Tokyo can claim bragging rights, those cities never put on as impressive a festival as the annual Yokohama Jazz Promenade, which takes place Oct. 9 and 10 this year.
Every year, Yokohama offers a unique chance to hear extremely talented musicians from around the globe. Rather than hauling in well-known international stars from big labels, though, Yokohama re-creates an overseas jazz scene here. This year's special guests are from Holland. Seven Dutch groups will be here presenting a wide array of different styles of jazz. As for Japanese musicians, it's easier to say who's not going to play.
The musical choices for the two days are staggering: 10 venues with five one-hour sets from noon to 8 p.m., and 24 jazz clubs hosting 90-minute sets, 3-9 p.m. You do the math. Don't miss the amateur bands and university jazz circles jamming on the streets, either. The city gives them all the juice they can use.
It's easy to graze here. Since most sets last a comfortable hour, it's easy to wander in and out without feeling you have to stay if you don't dig what you hear. That kind of easygoing, ongoing vibe is what jazz meccas like postwar 52nd street in New York used to be all about. If only every city still thought like this! (Michael Pronko)