By Fumie Yoshida

On January 26, 2006, the swing jazz band SAKE'S GROUP performed live at the jazz bar AFTER DARK CAFE in Chuo ward, Sapporo.

There were about 15 customers there to hear the performance. Most of them were office workers. The program included standard numbers like, "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans," "Ice Cream Song" and other less well known numbers like, "I Want A Little Girl." There were two sets; one at 8:00 p.m. and one at 9:30 p.m.

Two trombone players, a bass player and a guitar player are an unusual ensemble, but it was a powerful performance and not much different from the original swing jazz style. People felt the music through their bodies along with the performers, and they clapped their hands and moved their bodies. A shout of joy came from the crowd after each solo and there was a wonderful rapport between the performers and the fans. I have been studying about jazz theory and improvisation, so I went to this show to study, but I became captivated by their wonderful performance and enjoyed this show like everyone else there.

SAKE'S GROUP is composed of four people; guitarist Yuzo Takimoto, bass player Toru Kamasuzu, and both Shugo Kawai and leader Hirotsugu Sakemoto on trombone. SAKE'S GROUP was named by using "Sake" from Sakemoto's name. They are all professional jazz players except for Kawai, and they perform mainly in Sapporo. They formed the group a year ago to spread swing jazz music in Sapporo and to teach swing jazz to people who don't know it. They perform live almost once a month. They also perform at weddings, festivals, and in caf市.

Swing jazz is one style of Jazz which was popular from 1930 to the early 1940's and it was played mainly by white musicians. It is light dance music and the most famous performers are the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Bennie Goodman.

I asked Sakemoto why he plays swing jazz even though there are many other kinds of jazz, for example, Dixieland, be-bop, or fusion. He said, "People think only adults listen to jazz. Swing jazz is dance music, so I want everyone to enjoy it. Also, people who listened to jazz in the old days would remember those days."

There are many jazz musicians flourishing in Tokyo, so I asked him why he keeps playing in Sapporo. He said, "My dream is to develop swing jazz here in Sapporo and have many people come to Sapporo to hear it." In fact, as many bands that play swing jazz are appearing now in Sapporo, his dream is coming true.　Members of SAKE'S GROUP also teach jazz music and they are planning to hold their students' concert this year. Sakemoto's aspiration is to continue playing all his life, and heﾕd like the people of Sapporo to know swing jazz.

Members of SAKE'S GROUP are showing us how swing jazz is wonderful music. Many people, myself included, were impressed by their performance. I'd like to tell people how wonderful swing jazz music is.