“I Want to Create Jazz with True Grit”

—In the first part, you mentioned wanting to consider arrangements and how to present the music. Does that naturally lead to many "featuring" artists?

Karen AokiYes, it does. Fortunately, I've had the chance to collaborate with truly first-class musicians.

Ryota Nozaki from Jazztronik is a long-time friend, the duo Shima & Shikou are my dearest friends, and Tatsuo Sunaga has taught me so much since before my debut. I've known JABBERLOOP since they used to play in front of Shinjuku Station.
They're like teachers, friends, or juniors... there might be fewer women in the mix (laughs).

I recently saw Meshell Ndegeocello perform. It was incredible. The first time, I sat right in front of the stage, and the second time, I was in the fourth-tier seats looking down. Both experiences were wonderful. From the first row, you can hear the raw sound up close, and from the fourth tier, the sound from the speakers comes through more directly.

“Creating Music is Becoming More and More Enjoyable”

—The lineup for Billboard is also impressive.

Yes, it's a club jazz ensemble, billed as "Karen Aoki and All Stars."
On drums is Nobuaki Fujii from Sleepwalker, on saxophone is DAISUKE from JABBERLOOP, bandmaster and trumpet is Yusuke Shima from Shima & Shikou DUO, piano is Hiroshi Ito from Shima & Shikou DUO, and on bass is Toru Nishijima from Sunaga t experience.
It's truly a lineup full of grit.

—It's nice to have horns in the mix.

—What are your plans after Billboard?

I'm currently accumulating original compositions. I'm also planning an overseas recording session, so I'm hoping to release something by the end of the year or early next year.

—Original songs after quite some time?

I've been arranging famous jazz standards into club jazz, sharing "how wonderful these classic songs are" and "how I'll interpret them." Lately, the lyrics and melodies flowing within me have reached a saturation point, and I want to share that.
It looks like the album will feature a mix of covers I want to release now and original songs.
Creating music is becoming more and more enjoyable.

—So, for the fans coming to Billboard...

My best album, "THE CLUB JAZZ DIVA," released in the spring, is a culmination of my work since my debut in 2006.
It brings together recordings crafted through direct collaboration with Japan's leading musicians.
Expressing that through live performance will introduce yet another filter.
In the sense that "live" means "alive," I hope to share the jazz that I feel is alive right now. Please enjoy it together, including the atmosphere.

—Thank you very much.