Supported by some of the biggest corporate names, the Ginza International Jazz Festival 2006 takes place on Nov. 3 (a national holiday) and Nov. 4. Last year's inaugural festival attracted 10,000 fans. This year's event, sponsored by Burberry and Mitsukoshi department store among others, once again brings musicians from across the jazz spectrum from Japan, Europe and the United States performing on 27 stages at seven Ginza locations. While the festival is no longer accepting reservations for the "Hall Live" shows, jazz fans can still attend the "Shop Live" concerts, where seating is unreserved and allocated on a first-come basis. All performances are free.
Among the artists performing at the "Shop Live" concerts are the French Gypsy-swing jazz band Les Pommes de ma Douche (Matsuzakaya Ginza rooftop, Nov. 3, 4 p.m., Nov. 4, 4:30 p.m.); alto-sax player Kaori Kobayashi (Mitsukoshi Ginza rooftop, Nov. 4, 1 p.m.), whose most recent album, "Kaori's Collection," included interpretations of songs by Marvin Gaye and Boz Scaggs; and Blue Aeronauts Orchestra (Mitsukoshi Ginza rooftop, Nov. 3, 1:30 p.m., Matsuzakaya Ginza rooftop, Nov. 4, 1:30 p.m). The all-female, 16-piece group are signed to the Avex Trax record label and possess a similar amount of glitz to some of their better-known J-pop labelmates.
Concerts are also taking place on the first floor of the Yamaha Ginza shop, where American jazz vocalist Lady Kim and Japanese acoustic bossa nova duo Sapatos, among others, will perform.
Inquiries can be directed in person during the festival at the Nissan Gallery (situated at the Ginza 4-chome intersection) between noon-8 p.m. Alternatively, visit www.ginza.jp/ginzajazz2006/
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.