Is 'Jazz = Adult Music' Real? What is its appeal when asked by young people dedicated in Kobe?
Kobe is said to be the birthplace of jazz in Japan.
It is said to originate from the fact that in 1923, the first Japanese professional jazz band performed jazz at the former Kobe Oriental Hotel.
In this column, I have published several articles related to jazz so far.
The more I have covered jazz in my articles, the more I feel now, but now the simple question of "What kind of music is jazz in the first place?" has arisen in my mind.
I understand that it's different from classical music. But it's hard to put into words....... While researching, I met young people in Kobe who devoted themselves to jazz.
What kind of music is 'jazz'?
If you search for "What is jazz" on the internet, you'll find answers like this.
Hmm, ....... Maybe that's the definition, but it doesn't quite quite click. I want a more satisfying answer!
So, we asked Mr. Takanashi of the 'Kobe Jazz City' Promotion Council, which promotes jazz in 'All Kobe,' where both the public and private sectors unite.
— Takanashi-san, what kind of music do you think jazz is?
TakanashiEven without special knowledge, I believe it's music that naturally makes you feel your body sway when you hear the performance.
Last year, at a jazz event held at Higashi Yuenchi, a small child was wagging their butt in time with the music. Seeing that, I felt like I was slapping my knees and thinking, "This is exactly jazz!"
Moreover, jazz is characterized by its freedom and live performance, where music is shaped spontaneously by the atmosphere and communication among performers, even though it shares a common foundation through sheet music.
—Indeed, I often hear that improvisation is a hallmark.
TakanashiEven when talking with people in the jazz industry, they always say, 'You should enjoy it more freely.' I feel it's music that doesn't have to be formal, or rather, it's music you can enjoy without feeling pressured.
Is jazz for mature adults?
—So you also have a side where you can enjoy it without feeling pressured. Jazz is mostly played by middle-aged people or older, and I kind of thought it was music that only mature adults could understand.
TakanashiI understand. Until I was in charge at work, that image was very strong. But actually, there are many young people who are passionate about jazz.
Every August, Kobe Cultural Hall hosts the Japan Student Jazz Festival, a jazz contest for junior and senior high school students, and in 2025, it will celebrate its 40th edition. It's basically the 'Koshien of Jazz.'
Currently, jazz trumpet player Mirai Hirose and jazz saxophonist Tomocho Takahashi also met when they attended this jazz festival in high school.
The excitement from that time is shared on Kobe Bunka Hall's 50th anniversary program "Tomoshibi Radio."
—When Takahashi-san, who came out of Hiroshima, saw Hirose from Kobe, he said, "It's Hirose! (It's Hirose-kun!" )" The excitement of calling out to him was exactly like the youth of a high school student, and just listening to it was exciting.
TakanashiIsn't that right? Actually, the 'Kobe Jazz City' Promotion Council has formed the 'Kobe Youth Jazz Orchestra' to support young people dedicating themselves to jazz.
Just as the next concert is approaching, junior and senior high school students are practicing at the Chuo Ward Cultural Center, so be sure to check it out.
What is the Kobe Youth Jazz Orchestra?
So, I came to the practice venue of the Kobe Youth Jazz Orchestra, which Mr. Takanashi had taught me about.
The Kobe Youth Jazz Orchestra is a band for 5th graders to 3rd graders living in the Kobe area. They receive guidance from professionals like Hirose and Takahashi, and actively participate in jazz events in Kobe and its surrounding areas.
Currently, there are 21 members, but more than 10 instructors take turns working, and on this day, six instructors were teaching each instrument separately.
With a monthly lesson fee of 5,000 yen, this comprehensive system is available! I was impressed by the "All Kobe" attitude of wanting to energize jazz.
We asked two third-year junior high school members of the Youth Jazz Club about what inspired them to start jazz and what it appeals to.
■ How I Started Jazz
Mr. MoriWhen I was in elementary school, I lived in Kyoto and was a 'fangirl' in the fire band band. From that time, I admired the saxophone, and someone recommended it to me, so I started playing it.
When I was in sixth grade, my mother told me about the Kobe Youth Jazz recruitment and I joined. At first, I thought, "What is jazz?" but once I tried it, it was really fun.
Mr. HokamaWhen I was in elementary school, I started playing percussion after the game 'Taiko no Tatsujin.' During the COVID-19 pandemic, I didn't have the chance to play instruments with others, so I saw a recruitment for youth jazz and wanted to join. I started jazz after joining.
■ The Appeal and Fun of Jazz
Mr. MoriI like how every performance doesn't follow the sheet music but instead adds improvisation midway, which is improvisational.
Mr. HokamaAll the members work together to create a song.
■ Favorite jazz number
Mr. Mori After You’ve Gone
Mr. Hokama Swingin’ At The Haven
The two of them started playing jazz after joining the band, and now they thoroughly enjoy both listening to and performing jazz. They want to continue playing jazz even after entering high school!
*The Kobe Youth Jazz OrchestraRecruiting membersThat's it!
Spring towns with lively music
Jazz is music that not only mature and cool adults but also young people can freely enjoy! Now that you know that, here are some events where you can easily experience jazz.
On the afternoon of Sunday, April 5th, KOBE JAZZ DAY 2026 will be held in front of the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Kobe Sales Office in the former foreign settlement!
Starting with the Kobe Youth Jazz Orchestra introduced above, four bands play jazz from 13:00 to 17:00.
You don't have to go out of your way to go to concerts or live houses; you can easily enjoy jazz while shopping or passing by.
How about listening to jazz during the day and then heading out to the bar in the evening? When that happens,KOBE BAR MAPand previous articles in this column as well.
I remember what Mr. Takanashi from the 'Kobe, the Jazz City' Promotion Council said:
"To pass on not only jazz but culture to the next generation, I feel it's important to support not only the players but also the performance venue and the presence of the listeners in a comprehensive way."
I see, I feel like we've realized that enjoying jazz to the fullest as 'recipients of culture' is the greatest support we can get. On April 5th, why not take a stroll through the former settlement, invited by the spring breeze?
INFORMATIONInformation
| "Kobe, the City of Jazz" Promotion Council | |
|---|---|
| KOBE JAZZ DAY 2026 | https://event.city.kobe.lg.jp/event/9n5yS0GjlQYsOcqcxgc5 April 5 (Sun) 13:00~17:00 @三井住友銀行神戸営業部前 |
[Writer Profile]
Hitomi Goraku
A writer from and living in Kobe. Active in economic media such as NewsPicks.
Until March 2025, he served as a writer for Kobe City's official note.
I'm not a big drinker but enjoy the atmosphere of bars, and I've been hooked on bar hopping for years.
My dream is to live in a house with a veranda and a view of the sea.