A New Chapter in Dutch-Japanese Relations

In January of this year, Saga Prefecture was registered as a host town to welcome the Netherlands as part of the "Host Town" initiative, which promotes exchange between international athletes participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics and local residents. This special live performance is being held as part of that exchange.

The jazz live performances will feature the jazz quartet BRUUT! on Friday, May 20th, at Romanza, and jazz singer Wouter Hamel on Saturday, May 21st, at the Saga Castle History Museum.

Romanza is a cafe created within the former Koga Bank building in the Saga City Museum of History and Folklore, aiming to be a place akin to "Zimmermann's Coffee House," where the renowned composer Johann Sebastian Bach is said to have gathered young musicians for performances. Built in 1906, it was used for different purposes during the Showa era, but in 1994, renovations removed later additions, restoring its grand Taisho-era atmosphere.

The jazz quartet BRUUT!, performing here, is a four-piece band consisting of saxophone, Hammond organ, double bass, and drums. They gained recognition at Japan's largest jazz festival, "Tokyo Jazz Festival," in 2012 and play groovy jazz influenced by rock.

Meanwhile, the Saga Castle History Museum, the venue for the May 21st performance, is one of Japan's largest reconstructed wooden buildings and was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles in 2006. Wouter Hamel, performing in this location with its history dating back to the Sengoku period, began his career in 2005. His exceptional vocal ability, described as "silken," combined with his songwriting and composing, has led to comparisons with Frank Sinatra, one of the 20th century's most celebrated singers, earning him the title "the new generation Frank Sinatra."

Experience Dutch jazz in buildings that preserve Japan's history, in a country with deep ties to Japanese history.

This promises to be a unique live event, available only in Saga.

BRUUT! - Friday, May 20th, Romanza
Date: Friday, May 20, 2016
Time: Doors open 18:30, Performance starts 19:00
Venue: Romanza

2-9 Yanagimachi, Saga City, Saga Prefecture (Inside the former Koga Bank, Saga City Museum of History and Folklore)
Capacity: 150 unreserved seats
Price: Ticket A: General/University Students ¥2,000 (incl. tax) Ticket B: High School Students and Younger ¥1,000 (incl. tax) *Preschoolers free of charge

Wouter Hamel - Saturday, May 21st, Saga Castle History Museum
Date: Saturday, May 21, 2016
Time: Doors open 18:30, Performance starts 19:00
Venue: Saga Castle History Museum

2-18-1 Jonai, Saga City, Saga Prefecture

Capacity: 150 unreserved seats
Price: Ticket C: General/University Students ¥2,000 (incl. tax) *High School Students and Younger free of charge

How to Purchase Tickets
Application Method
Via email, FAX, or postal mail
Email Address
jazz@po.don3.com

FAX Number
0952-28-3889

Mailing Address
3-2-23 Tenjin, Saga City, Saga Prefecture, 840-0015
Saga Advertising Center, "Dutch Jazz Application" Desk


Information to Include in Application
Please clearly state your postal code, address, name, phone number, ticket category (A, B, or C), number of tickets, and number of attendees (including those attending for free). Send this information via one of the methods above with the subject line "Dutch Jazz Application."

*All applications are on a first-come, first-served basis and will close once capacity is reached.
*A maximum of 4 tickets per person per performance (including free attendees).