The Yokohama Jazz Promenade is the best weekend of the year for jazz lovers, and shows you just what a city arts foundation can do if they put their music-loving minds to it. On Oct. 8 and 9, nearly a hundred groups will perform at 10 halls and 20-some jazz clubs sprinkled around the city -- and that's not counting the station platforms, street corners and open squares where you can hear amateur and student groups jamming away.
After the City of Yokohama's Arts Foundation expanded the festival this year, a little more walking may be required. The number of venues have increased such that among the well-known and not-so-well-known jazz groups in the area, it would be easier to say who's not performing -- the weekend draws nearly every musician who can call their music jazz, and then some.
This year features several groups from Holland and Cuba, among others, but most are Japanese musicians who make their living playing in Tokyo and Yokohama's numerous nightclubs. Most of the sets run just an hour at the large venues and 90 minutes at the clubs. These slightly-shorter-than-usual sets let you sample an amazing variety of music. While hearing Latin, bop, free, big-band and vocal jazz in succession might be a bit much, the easygoing festival vibe makes it all come together.
While the crowd can pile up for better-known groups, there are always seats. But if you choose to wander around, plenty of unofficial jam sessions and all-night jazz parties pop up, so be sure to keep your eyes open for the flyers being handed out.
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