There is nothing like live jazz on a sunny summer’s day to get you in the holiday mood. This past weekend acclaimed jazz musicians from across Japan converged on Niseko for an unforgettable music festival, marking the birth of a new era for the resort. Held within the beautiful al fresco courtyard of award-winning hotel Setsu Niseko, the festival drew close to 1,000 attendees. Guests were enthralled by an impressive lineup of eight renowned jazz groups who showcased the genre’s full spectrum, from classic to contemporary. With Mount Yotei’s stunning panorama and the sun casting a warm glow, the festival kicked off the Obon holiday season in style.
The event was jointly organised by Shigeru Shiraki, who served as Executive Chairman of the festival, along with other key figures in the community. Musical icons Keiko Lee, Satoru Shionoya, and Junko Yagami headlined the event, joined by over 30 talented musicians including the Miki Hirose Quintet, Yoshihito Eto Group, Junichiro Ohkuchi Trio, and the Takezo Yamada Group. An extraordinary assembly of musicians curated by Shiraki, who also helped kick off day two of the festival with his quartet delivering a smooth and polished set of jazz classics. The inclusion of young musicians from the Mount Yotei Junior Jazz School added a fresh and inspiring element to the festival, giving the young performers a chance to rub shoulders with veteran performers.
Hokkaido’s rich jazz heritage was evident in the lineup, with 3 professional musicians returning to their home ground for the festival. On the first day, the Takezo Yamada Group scored big with the audience. Originally helmed from Sapporo, Takezo began his musical journey with the Sapporo Junior Jazz Orchestra. His prowess as a composer, arranger and performer, has led him to perform across the globe with acclaimed performances at the Toronto Jazz Festival and Fuji Rock Festival.
After a passionate performance by the Miki Hirose Quintet, day one came to a close with a rare collaboration between renowned pianist Satoru Shionoya and Junko Yagami. The iconic pioneer of city pop wowed the crowd with a mix of her popular hits like “Purple Town” alongside jazz classics “Summertime” and “Mas Que Nada” delivered with her imitable style and panache. Their six-minute rendition of “New York State of Mind” mesmerized the crowd with a triumphant applause reverberating throughout the courtyard. Day two continued the musical magic with two distinctive performances by veteran pianist Junichiro Ohkuchi and master of the drums Yoshihito Eto. The festival concluded with a breathtaking performance by Keiko Lee, whose powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence left a lasting impression. Keiko’s enveloping husky voice knocked out her own unique rendition of “Imagine” and “We Will Rock You” alongside jazz standards like “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby”.
Whilst this year’s event was primarily catering for hotel guests, the festival was also open to the local community, who registered online for free tickets. Plans for next year’s event are already underway, commenting on the event Simon Cheong, Chairman of SC Global Developments, the developer behind Setsu Niseko and sponsor of this year’s festival shared his vision “Next year, we want to make this an even bigger event, turning the jazz festival into a major summer attraction for Niseko.”
Whether you are a seasoned jazz aficionado or a casual listener, the Niseko Jazz Festival offered something for everyone. This inaugural event has set a high bar for future festivals and with the continued support of local businesses and the local community promises to become a cherished summer tradition in Niseko. Be sure to keep an eye out for the line-up for next year’s festival. See you next year!
