Japanese jazz club that Art Blakey loved, young Terumasa Hino played at, toasts milestone
Body & Soul, in Japan’s capital Tokyo, is celebrating 50 years of hosting jazz greats including Art Blakey, Terumasa Hino and Makoto Ozone
A trailblazer of the modern jazz club scene in Japan marked its 50th anniversary in August, celebrating a rich history of big-name artists – such as jazz phenomenon Art Blakey – performing there.
Located in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward, one of the country’s busiest commercial districts and a centre of youth culture, the club, Body & Soul, got a much-needed boost from the support of its nationwide fan base after falling on hard times during the pandemic.
“Live performance is at the forefront of jazz. B&S will continue to be a place that offers this charm,” owner Kyoko Seki, 83, said in commemoration of the club’s 1974 opening.
Seki took an interest in jazz soon after World War II. Her father – a sound engineer – became involved in radio programme production after returning from the war. He took his daughter to a studio one day where she listened to live jazz music for the first time.
I want to continue to uphold the culture of jazz through live performances.
“I knew nothing about jazz, but I got hooked on it because of the enthusiasm of the music,” Seki said.