The Eastman Jazz Sextet

Christian Crawford (tp), Luke Norris (sax), Conrad Ziarinak (sax), Serling Cozza (p), Ryder Eaton (b), Chase Ellison (d)

Select musicians from the Eastman School of Music, the famed alma mater of the likes of Ron Carter and Steve Gadd. In the words of Makoto Ozone, who gave out the calling to have them here as part of a Japan-US cultural exchange among music school students, it's "jazz that surpasses rock!"

SWING JACK in the STREET
Gentle Forest Jazz Band with Amore & Lulu/Tokyo Lindy Hop Syncopators

2017 marks the centennial of the first commercial jazz recording. To commemmorate, we pay tribute to Lindy Hop, a dance popularized with the spread of the music form. Retro yet fresh, old yet new - it'll be a super chic dance party!

Gentle Forest Jazz Band:
Formed in 2005, the new generation big band delivers an original, energetic, comical swing. Bandmaster Gentle Kubota, who is also foraying into television with his unique presence, will lead the 17 + 3 "sisters."

Amore&Lulu:
The dance duo brings the 1930s Harlem groove to present-day Tokyo. Aside from their monthly "Swing Jack!" in Shibuya's Saravah Tokyo which is in its 14th year, the pair can be spotted on various media including television. Also a professional illustrator, Amore has created this year's Tokyo JAZZ Festival key visual.

• Amore&Lulu

JaRex

Takashi Matsunaga (p), Tetsuo Takagi (sax), Hiroaki Mizutani (b), Yoshihito Eto (ds)

The yongest artist ever to record a leader album for the renowned Blue Note label in it's 75-year history, pianist Takashi Matsunaga is embarking on another adventure with his new jazz unit JaRex!
In addition to its appearance at this year's Tokyo JAZZ, the band is planning a tour across 10 countries.
Look out for some hot jazz from JaRex!