The Niseko Jazz Festival Hit All The Right Notes

Providing guests a fantastic start to the Obon Holidays

Setsu Niseko was delighted to be the official host venue for the inaugural Niseko Jazz Festival over the weekend. Setsu’s al fresco courtyard provided a slick and stylish backdrop for this musical extravaganza, attracting close to 1,000 visitors over the weekend.

After an impromptu jamming session, the night before at the ‘Artists Welcome Party’ held at Park 90, the artists were warmed up and ready to go for a weekend of jazz. One of the festival highlights of the festival was the stellar lineup of musicians. Throughout the weekend, musical icons Keiko Lee, Satoru Shionoya and Junko Yagami led a talented lineup of over 30 musicians from across Japan including the Miki Hirose Quintet, Yoshihito Eto Group, Junichiro Ohkuchi Trio and Takezo Yamada Group. Junior musicians from the Mount Yotei Junior Jazz School were in awe as they rubbed shoulders with veteran performers. An extraordinary assembly of musicians curated by local jazz aficionado Shiraki Shigeru, who helped kick off day two of the festival with his quartet delivering a smooth and polished set of jazz classics.

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 both a composer, arranger and performer, has led him to perform around the world, with acclaimed performances at the Toronto Jazz Festival and Fuji Rock Festival. His fan base runs deep and the crowd were delighted to see him performing back in his home turf.

Kokoro, one of the young performers on stage with the Mount Yotei Junior Jazz School was excited and inspired to be performing alongside some of the jazz legends whose musical works she has studied. “I’m really looking forward to watching the professionals perform live. I think I can learn a lot from them.”

The crowd were warmed up and ready to swing when award-winning trumpeter Miki Hirose hit the stage with his quintet for an upbeat set of New York-style jazz. Day One came to a close with an extraordinary performance by renowned pianist Satoru Shionoya. The crowd were in for a night to remember when he invited Special Guest Junko Yagami to join him on stage. In a rare collaboration, the crowd were in for a night to remember, when he invited Special Guest Junko Yagami to join him on stage. The iconic pioneer of city pop wowed the crowd with a mix of her popular hits like “Purple Town” alongside jazz classics like “Summertime” and “Mas Que Nada” all delivered with her imitable style and panache. Satoru’s piano prowess and Junko’s mellow vocals perfectly matched in a mesmerising 6-minute rendition of “New York State of Mind”. The show ended with a triumphant applause reverberating throughout the courtyard with guests pleading for more. Luckily for them, there was always a two-day festival planned.

But the music wasn’t the only thing that set the Niseko Jazz Festival apart. The festival was a family celebration complete with carnival games, and delicious food stalls by Setsu Niseko’s acclaimed restaurants méli mélo -Yuki No Koe-, AFURI, Sushi Kato INORI, and Tempura Araki, ensuring that everyone could get in on the fun. With Hokkaido wines, beers and hi-balls flowing throughout the weekend, the crowd were relaxed and in a holiday frame of mind.

Crowds gathered early for day two of the festival, which was truly a family affair with fans young and old tapping their feet to the smooth sounds of jazz. Acclaimed pianist Junchichiro Ohkuchi led a set of jazz classics that brought a mellow and relaxed vibe to the afternoon. Whilst master of the drums and consummate bandleader Yoshihito Eto got everyone tapping their feet with a superb interplay of improv with jazz classics.

The festival concluded with a breathtaking performance by Keiko Lee, with her ‘old school’ star appeal and charisma. Captivating the crowd with her enveloping husky voice, Keiko knocked out her own unique rendition of “Imagine” and “We Will Rock You”, alongside jazz standards such as “Yes Sir, Baby It’s Me”, supported by a solid band of musical heavyweights, including Ippei Kato (Guitar), Yusei Takahashi (Piano), Naoki Takahashi (Drums) and Marty Holoubek on bass.

Whether you are a seasoned jazz fan or just discovering the genre, there was something for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend. The Niseko Jazz Festival was a triumph, and it’s sure to become a beloved annual tradition in the Summer Festival Calendar. If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable way to experience Hokkaido’s incredible landscapes and culture, be sure to keep an eye out for the lineup of next year’s festival. See you next year!