A Summery Jazz–Infused Long Weekend at Setsu Niseko

Despite the gray clouds hovering over Niseko that weekend, the hum of tuning instruments filling the air transformed Setsu Niseko’s courtyard into an intimate open-air stage for a weekend of rhythm and revelry. From 18 to 20 July, the 2025 Niseko Jazz Festival returned bigger and better with twelve standout acts across three days—an inspired celebration of the finest jazz legends and the easy charm of a Niseko summer.

Day One: Opening with a Swing

The weekend kicked off with local musicians Ree Band taking the stage and warming up the courtyard with easy grooves. They were then followed by the Fumika Asari Quartet, whose guitar lines flowed effortlessly—warm, soothing, and melodic that felt apt to the cool, rainy weather Day 1 was experiencing. Their set was a masterclass in modern jazz: thoughtful compositions peppered with improvisational spark.

Just as twilight cloaked the courtyard, the Tomoaki Baba, Story Teller feat. Marty Holoubek and Shota Watanabe took the stage. Tomoaki’s tenor sax drifted through the courtyard like a late summer breeze—backed by the rhythmic brilliance of Marty Holoubek on bass —returning after a standout appearance last year — and Shota Watanabe on piano. In the middle of their set, trumpeter Miki Hirose joined the trio on the stage, teasing the audience of what they can look forward to for his Day 2 stage with the Kansai Jazz Crew.

The night reached its crescendo with the much-anticipated return of Keiko Lee, following her unforgettable performance last year. Renowned for her powerhouse vocals, she did not disappoint. A setlist carefully curated to appeal to a global audience, Keiko delivered an emotional journey, with each lyric charged with warmth and electricity, through global hits like Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” and The Crusaders’s “Street Life”. She ended the night with a cover of the classic hit “Let It Be” by The Beatles, the crowd transfixed – with some joining in on the chorus – before erupting into a round of applause and cheers that long lingered after the final note. The rain made the evening feel even more special, especially with Keiko Lee’s soulful performance.

“The weather wasn’t the best today but the audience and staff were all so wonderful, I was able to have an amazing time performing.” Keiko Lee remarks.

Day Two: Latin Breezes & Brass Fire

Saturday began in a gentle mood as the Shigeru Shiraki Quartet opened the day at 16:00. With roots in the legendary Kutchan Jazz Festival, Shigeru’s piano exuded quiet maturity and melodic clarity—crafting a calm yet compelling introduction that set the tone beautifully.

The tempo shifted as the Kenichiro Tamagawa Quintet brought a fresh burst of energy with Kenichiro’s vocals filling the courtyard and soaring over pulsing rhythms. The group’s dynamic interplay felt like a lively conversation—playful, expressive, and setting the mood for the rest of what was to come.

As the Kansai Jazz Crew took the stage, this Osaka-based ensemble delivered big-band spirit with a lean, punchy lineup. Their set was a celebration of swing, with fiery solos and tight arrangements—highlighted by a standout performance from Miki Hirose, a festival favourite returning from last year.

Then came the firestorm: Orquesta de la Luz closed out the evening in spectacular style. This Grammy-nominated powerhouse transformed the courtyard with high-energy Latin rhythms, layered percussion, and irresistible dance grooves. Recalling her first Niseko Jazz Festival experience, Nora Suzuki, Orquesta de la Luz’s frontman, says, “I could feel the great energy from the audience, which made me very happy. Even though we got some rain during the performance, it did not stop everyone from still dancing and having fun together.” With each song performed an open invitation to clap, dance, and do the occasional salsa step – the night ended on a high note with everyone up on their feet, waving their hands, and dancing along to the beats of “Mi Alma” and “Volare”.

“This is a real jazz event where you can really listen and enjoy jazz music on a deep level, which is quite rare. As a performer, I was able to focus and put out my best performance. I’m very grateful and would love to come back.” Nora adds.

Day Three: Legacy Meets Next-Gen Talent

With better weather after two days of rain, Sunday began with heartwarming optimism as the Mount Yotei Junior Jazz School opened the day’s program. Young players took the stage with pride and confidence, delivering jazz standards with remarkable poise and musicality. Their impressive performance was a powerful reflection of the community’s deep-rooted commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent. As the late afternoon descended upon Niseko, the crowd warmly welcomed back Yoshihito Eto returning to Niseko this year with acclaimed trumpeter Shinpei Ruike. Eto’s drums were both powerful and nuanced, while Shinpei’s trumpet soared with lyrical precision and the rhythm—anchored by Eto and his trio—the rhythm were expressive, inventive, and richly textured.

The May Inoue Tokyo Quartet brought modern jazz vividly to life, led by Inoue’s introspective melodies and crisp, tightly woven ensemble interplay. He was joined by David Bryant on piano, Marty Holoubek—returning once again to the festival—on bass, and Shun Ishiwaka on drums. Representing the new generation of jazz, their set immersed the audience into seeing what jazz could be and more in the future.

The grand finale belonged to the Andrea Motis Duo featuring Josep Traver, in a special collaboration with Blue Note Tokyo. Andrea’s vocals were fresh and graceful, accompanied by her tender trumpet lines, and longtime collaborator Josep’s lyrical guitar work, the duo glided between ballads and jazz standards with ease. Her choice of songs, including Mediterráneo by Joan Manuel Serrat which she dedicated to her mother, added a personal touch to her already dreamlike set.

When asked what was the highlight of her night, Andrea points out her impromptu cover of Miki Matsubara’s “Mayonaka no Doa/Stay With Me” that happened towards the end of the night. “It’s my favourite because we got to perform with some new artists, May Inoue and [Marty Holoubek] whom I’ve never met before.” Andrea says, “I like these moments of improvisation where I don’t know how it’s gonna be. It was really exciting to play with them and Josep, of course, and then the song that everyone knows – some of the people were singing with their lips and it was nice to see.”

Continuing on with the spirit of improvisations, another jam session took place where Andrea and Josep were joined by other members of the Yoshihito Eto Trio and the May Inoue Tokyo Quartet, in the cool dark night, becoming the perfect send-off to a weekend steeped in music, sunlight, and soul.

More than Music

It wasn’t just the performances that stole hearts. A thoughtfully curated selection of F&B stalls showcased the best of Niseko’s summer bounty—from juicy Hokkaido corn Houzenji Sanpei Niseko’s yakisoba – a festival classic – and hand-pressed sushi Sushi Kato’s NJF-limited crab tacos to craft sodas and chilled rosé Hokkaido sparkling wines. With a mix of public tickets, onsite stay packages, and a welcoming, family-friendly spirit, the 2025 edition laid the groundwork for what’s fast becoming a beloved summer tradition.

“We hope that the Niseko Jazz Festival becomes an international event one day, and that Niseko’s Green Season will be filled with more activities and resonate well with the international crowd.” Simon Cheong, President of the Niseko Jazz Festival Committee and Founder of SC Global, expressing his hopes for the future of this budding music festival. “The purpose of this [festival] is to bring Niseko Jazz to the world. Even if we don’t speak the same language, we all understand jazz.”

For Setsu Niseko, the festival was never just about the music—it was about creating a shared atmosphere of community and discovery, where families, friends, and first-time jazz fans could come together and feel right at home.