All spots have been filled, so reservations are now closed. Currently, there are no plans to sell tickets at the door. Thank you very much.
Join us at 1 PM on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, at The Necola for an unforgettable swing-dancing afternoon with Hirofumi Asaba And His Necola All Stars, Tokyo’s premier swing jazz band, showcasing two superb tenor saxophonists! This band is the top swing band in Japan right now. Don’t miss out!
For more information, click below.
Advance reservation is required HERE. Please note that reservations will close once we reach capacity, so be sure to book as soon as possible. Don’t miss out!
Ticket price: 6,500 yen including snacks, wine and tax. You are also welcome to bring your own food and drinks.
The payment method; Cash only in Japanese yen will be accepted at the door.
Featuring:
– Hirofumi Asaba on guitar
Asaba’s guitar stands at the pinnacle of Japan’s swing jazz scene. Recently, he has consistently succeeded with numerous live shows at Japan’s premier jazz club, Cotton Club Tokyo. His talent extends beyond Japan, as he is a sought-after headliner at major events in neighboring Korea, known for its lively swing dance scene. His playing style is distinctly swinging, capturing the essence of traditional authenticity. He is a revered figure in Japan’s jazz community. At Necola, he leads demanding session bands several times a year, offering performances that captivate dancers up close. This time, Asaba will unite Japan’s top two tenor saxophonists in swing jazz, promising a dynamic session akin to a powerful chemical reaction. This unique collaboration, exclusive to Necola, guarantees performances that even the musicians themselves describe as “exciting!”
– Nobuyuki Yano on bass
Honestly, it’s difficult to introduce a bassist to swing dancers. This is because in a swing jazz band, the double bass is the unsung hero. For example, in this band, the guitar, vocals, and of course, the double tenors, are all “star” instruments. But does that mean any bassist will do? Absolutely not. Lindy hoppers dance by hopping to the beat, and it is the bassist who creates that beat. The part that produces this high-quality beat is arguably the most important instrument. Nobuyuki sometimes uses a bow, transforming this rhythm instrument into a melody instrument, and truly gets swing dancers moving. True jazz-loving Lindy hoppers will quickly notice the difference.
– Yuka Deguchi on jazz vocals
Yuka is a graduate of the Jazz Department at Senzoku Gakuin College of Music in Tokyo, where she graduated as the top student. She began to stand out during her university years, honing her skills through various sessions and with her own band. Now, she receives invitations to collaborate from all corners of the jazz world and manages a busy schedule of performances daily.
Despite her petite stature, her powerful shouts are impressive, and she covers the entire 4/4 beat realm that swing dancers thrive in, including swing, jump, blues, rhythm & blues, boogie-woogie, and New Orleans jazz. She also has talent as a bandleader and producer and is responsible for producing live performances at Studio Necola, where she also does lindy hop. If you come to Tokyo, you should definitely experience dancing to her jazz vocals at least once.
– Shigeru Ukon on tenor saxophone
The highlight of this Studio Necola / TSDS live and dance event is the double tenor saxophone feature. While it’s certainly possible to perform swing jazz on any instrument, the tenor saxophone is arguably the one that truly brings out the brilliance of swing jazz. Mentioning names like Lester Young and Illinois Jacquet makes this point clear. Here in Tokyo, when choosing the top two from the swing jazz world, Shigeru is a must. His performance history is impressive. He has collaborated with legendary figures who have led Japan’s post-war jazz scene, such as Yuzuru Sera, Koji Fujika, Eiji Kitamura, and Takeshi Inomata, earning their trust. He is a true successor who carries on the solid DNA of Japanese swing jazz. Opportunities to dance to Japan’s top tenor, in peak form, are rare even in the jazz capital of Tokyo. This is a precious chance to experience that.
– Makoto Ueno on tenor saxophone
Makoto is younger than Shigeru by generation, but his technique and playing style make him a tenor saxophonist deserving of being among Tokyo’s top two. You might wonder what kind of “color” is meant when describing his performance as having “rich hues” in a poetic sense, but this is the limit of language, so I ask for your understanding. He is a valuable musician supporting both the current and future swing jazz tenor scene in Japan.