Shibuya culture PROJECT

Tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, representing the jazz world of the young. He is led by "Eric Alexander QUINTET" was performed live on April 21, in the jazz club "JZ Brat" in the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel. Of the performance I was staring into the viewfinder over is, Shinichi Takahashi. As a photographer to shoot the artist at the center of the Shibuya and Aoyama live house, jazz active Takahashi to be as a music writer who, including, impressions and live, we have talked about the trajectory of the music and your own.
"JZ Brat" is here

- How was "Eric Alexander QUINTET" playing?

It was there is a momentum in the still powerful Eric of the tenor sax. At one time, jazz has become more difficult, but people I had the time went away from jazz, Eric's playing is very easy to understand, pleasing the people who listen. I think that it inherits the good era jazz. Terashima Yasukuni's jazz critic even then you have to evaluate him, to say that young, I guess it can be said that the saxophone player with enough experience and ability. Piano Harold Mabern also was great to come out is a veteran of the taste. Exchanges between the generation of the young Eric, I think you feel that you are appearing to play in a good shape.

Another one of the saxophonist, also Gran Stuart I'm a tenor sax, but in popular style in jazz fan from the 50's, because this "double tenor", is becoming the spotlight again today. Eric, type, such as the Mike Tyson of one shot KO aim in terms of the boxer. One of the Gran is completely different from that, is a technician type. Chochohasshi of exchange of the two people, it was good thrilling. Members and each of the personality, freshness and tradition, I think it was a performance that put a good taste in just the right Sajikagen.

- But I think you know a lot of the jazz club, in its "JZ Brat" is What impression?

Now, there are more than 100 jazz clubs in Tokyo, I feel that align the "JZ Brat" is a high-level artists. Make me listen to jazz in a full-fledged program, I think that it is one of the typical store. I think that there is not much out. It food is also delicious, fee would also be within reach. Since the good atmosphere, for example, in the late 40s men, is just to say to come invited the young woman!? (Laughs)

- Photographer, and it is Takahashi of your success as a writer, and when shooting the artist during a performance, or in the time to listen to the play in order to write an article, is there any difference?

In fact, in the time to write and when to take, it's different at all sensation. When after listening do not have to write an article, I'm listening to the comparatively rational. But, when you shoot the artist during a performance is, at the moment I started off the shutter, a sound I can not hear at all. Completely silent state. And yet, but it is strange. Whether or not a good musician, I would know to take in hand through the camera. When you have met the figure of excellent artists in the camera, something that, I remember the feeling, such as "I have witnessed the holy moment". I'm feel that "Do not interfere with this person." That moment is what impressed. And after all, it's also good photo of the finished.

- Such as Herbie Hancock jazz pianist, in came worked on shooting of a number of big artists, Who are the people who are left in the strong impression?

It was a powerful Terumasa Hino is. Even been blowing the trumpet only that, I say "I'm still do not have enough to blow the trumpet." And cornered their own, seeking the music. I will sincerely respect.

And, it is common to first-class musician, I'm such that "can not be taken integrity of talk" (laughs). Not hang in to a variety of pressure, really it because it is people who have been thorough investigation of their own music, will do a lot of passion come Afurede as words. Everyone who of first-class, the other with the overwhelmingly different personalities, I feel that it is a person with a "human power". Even now the children of Japan, through the culture, such as music, I think and I think we need an environment to grow up is such a personality.

- Takahashi-san, please tell us about the encounter with the music.

In fact, the origin of my music, I know Hiromi Go. When I went to kindergarten, it was a love song called "Sanctuary". When I think now, it goes is convinced I have been attracted to the Latin music from the adult. It became apparent in the "GOLDFINGER'99" It'll Latin absolutely I Township's. After that, there was also time was addicted to the underground world. Since it was not possible to play by yourself, it is why music and movies, performance, etc., has been enjoyed by listening or watching. By the time high school students, by, for example, in the sentence live impressions on my own, it was or sent to the publisher. But not even asked bother the teaching and "because do not have to write", I was not well go to listen to the live (laughs).

Encounter with jazz, it is a high school student. In the Yosuke Yamashita's essay, because was written that the tenor sax Takeda Kazuinochi (Kazunori) 's, I tried to buy the album. I learned later, but in the world that do not know and not a jazz through me Takeda Kazuinochi's, could not understand for me at that time. But, when I have again heard from the adult, I think I can see is very good. After all, jazz has realized that it is adult music.

- How did you met with Cuban music?

After graduating from high school, Standing think to become a photographer, I was there it is entered was time to practice in the studio. Day and no night, hard every day long thinking circuit stops is followed by about three years, did not have time to go to listen to live. Because there is no time to play, I though I had accumulated in the minute money. In, when you quit, I think, "I'll go to listen to the music!", Chose Cuba. It's likely there is New York, because Cuba had heard that there is good security at that time.

Cuba of the people's lives, it's music has entered as commonplace. The first few months almost every day, was immersed in music while drinking Ramukoku in the club called "Havana Club". And researcher of folk music of the Japanese I met by chance in such, it was supposed to launch the Cuban music label "Kamita label". At first I was doing To little things do not know anything, in 2002, in the introduction of Mitsumori editor-in-chief of the swing Journal, now that you are able to label contract to poly-Star record with a large force in the jazz world It was.

- Album Takahashi has produced is, it seems to have been nominated in the "Kubadisuko 2006", which is said to Cuban music of Grammy Award.

That's right. Album of "Kamita label" has been produced in the session band a collection of musicians to represent Cuba "HABANA JAM SESSION" has been nominated for the jazz department and recording department of "Kubadisuko 2006". Japanese so it is the first time the album to be produced was chosen, is that really grateful.

I, of Cuban music charm, I think that there is the beauty of the melody. Easy to remember, that would involuntarily singing a humming, fun melody. The charm of such Cuban music, I would like to convey to you through this label. This is I guess my life's work. And someday .... But this is a pretty high goal, but someday, I want to achieve the Japan tour of the musicians who participated in the "HABANA JAM SESSION".

■ profile
Shinichi Takahashi (Takahashi, Shinichi) Mr.
Tokyokogeidaigakutankidaigakubu photographic applications the Department graduated. Independence as a free-lance photographer than 98 years. Currently, active in, such as magazines and books · CD jacket. In addition, I am writing an article at the beginning music-related jazz centered on "Swing Journal" "Monthly Latina" as a writer. In addition, energetically writing overseas travelogue, the document articles in magazines and books.

Shooting cooperation:Conceal Cafe

To List