In May 2025 Japan welcomed an estimated 3.693 million visitors, marking a surge in global fascination with the country—up 125% (more than double!) compared to a decade ago. Many come for the exquisite ...

Who were the "Funky Tribe" that became obsessed with "Moanin'"?Welcome to "Tone Terrace," a cafe in the Note City Free ...

“Japanese-influenced listening bars” may be the latest, greatest trend in US bar culture, but their high-end sound systems and even more highfalutin aesthetic draw from a much more humble practice: ...

I don't make a habit of reading novels, so I don't know the details, but it seems there are surprisingly many points of ...

My friend Rhonda Laurie is a swinging jazz singer (Sidewalk Café and more), music business instructor and underground promoter. Right now she's trying to put together a fundraising event to support ...

In part 1 of 2 episodes exploring Japan’s audio scene, vintage audio columnist, Eric Pye discusses Jazz Kissa and Japanese vinyl pressings. In September 2023, vintage columnist Eric Pye (@audioloveyyc ...

The fact that the Columbia and Victor recording companies both opened subsidiary companies in Japan which issue a lot of the jazz recordings — either the ones made in the U.S. and imported, or the ...

The recent natural disasters in Japan, and the scale of the resulting devastation, leave even those of us far outside the country with a sense of sadness and loss. We are bound by humanity, but also ...

The virtuoso pianist Hiromi -- full name: Hiromi Uehara -- made her debut on BBC's "Later … With Jools Holland" on Tuesday (Oct. 24) as the first-ever Japanese jazz ...