Series | Tatsuo Sunaga's Record Selection Style Vol. 4 | Selecting Jazz's True Stars for the Fourth Installment

Series | Tatsuo Sunaga's Record Selection Style Vol. 4

Selecting Jazz's True Stars for the Fourth Installment

For this fourth installment of the series, we report on the Japanese edition of one of the world's three major jazz festivals, "Montreux Jazz Festival Japan 2016," held over three days in early October at Ebisu The Garden Hall, which Mr. Sunaga himself participated in as a DJ. We asked him to report on the profound emotions that only those who have reached the pinnacle can understand.

Text by SUNAGA Tatsuo

Tears on a Stage Befitting the End of Summer

I had the pleasure of attending "Montreux Jazz Festival Japan 2016" held at Ebisu The Garden Hall from October 7th to 9th. I was unable to attend the first day due to prior commitments, and thus missed the opening by Japan's supergroup "META FIVE," as well as Henrik Schwarz feat. Fumio Itabashi & Kuniyuki.

META FIVE

META FIVE

Regaining my composure, I participated as a DJ on the second day. The headliner was SONZEIRA (Sonzeira), a Brazilian all-star group led by Gilles Peterson. The appearance of Marcos Valle left me dizzy with excitement. The rhythmic sense of Brazilian music, heard up close, is truly exceptional. I was also captivated by the well-crafted performance and staging of last year's best newcomer, Pete Josef. Melanie de Biasio's ethereal world was just like "India" from Coltrane's 1961 album "IMPRESSIONS." It even reminded me of The Byrds' "Eight Miles High."

And on the third day, the 2016 headliner, Caetano Veloso, took the stage. I had been waiting for this. I'll list the setlist as I recall it.

Caetano Veloso

Um Indio
Luz Do Sol
Mei bem, meu mal
Minha vos, minha vida
Reconvene
Bahia, minha preta
Abracaco
A luz de tleta
Miragem de carnaval
Desde que o samba e samba

Partway through, I was overcome with emotion, and my notes became sporadic. I also didn't know some of the songs, so the list is quite incomplete. At times, accompanied by his beloved disciple Teresa Cristina, and at others, supporting her from behind, he delivered a magnificent performance. I was delighted to hear all my personal favorites, but as I watched his moving vocal performance, I had the strange experience of feeling like it was late summer, even though we were indoors. Aki Yatsushiro's approachable stage presence was also wonderful. Makoto Kuriya's strength in masterfully handling his unique jazz arrangements was also evident.

Teresa Cristina & Caetano Veloso

Aki Yatsushiro

I offer my deepest gratitude and respect once again to the organizers for brilliantly capturing the essence of contemporary jazz through such a diverse lineup. With this, my long summer of 2016 has come to an end. It began with the Miyakojima Music Festival in May, followed by the World wide Festival in the South of France, the exhilarating FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL, the Uchu no Mori Festival in Taiki-cho, Hokkaido, the Itoh Seikou Constructive 30th Anniversary Festival, and finally, this Montreux festival. It has truly been a year blessed with wonderful festivals.

John Coltrane "IMPRESSIONS" (Impulse)
This marks a pinnacle in Coltrane's work. The aforementioned "India" features a dual-combo with Eric Dolphy on bass clarinet. It was recorded live at the Village Vanguard, a prestigious jazz club in New York. It's also fascinating that this recording dates from the period when Coltrane's permanent quartet—McCoy Tyner (piano), Elvin Jones (drums), and Jimmy Garrison (bass)—was beginning to form. I highly recommend experiencing this profound world, which burns like a cool blue flame.