 | | The Body and Soul gang at the Lincoln center |
What great way to start the year... I flew to New York City to attend the world's largest jazz conference. The International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) 34th Annual Conference was held from January10 -13, 2007, with a jam packed program featuring the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, Clayton Brothers Quintet, Randy Brecker's SoulBop band, Michel Legrand, the French Elite All- Stars and so many more.
It's always exciting to see the city, the center of jazz, at a time like this where thousands of educators, musicians, industry executives, media and students gather to participate in this global jazz community event.
 | | Nancy Wilson gracing the stage with The Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band |  | | with Kyoko and Steve Gadd at the Blue Note |  | | browsing over music stuff at the Lincoln Center |
This time around, I joined up with my Tokyo group that included Body and Soul jazz club owner Kyoko Seki, musicians Toku, Shinji Akita and Daisuke Ito.
I arrived Tuesday morning feeling sickly after a turbulent plane ride but revived after a few hours of rest. Later that night we all got together and went to see Lewis Nash's quintet superb performance at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, located inside the Jazz at Lincoln Center, where we also got treated with a special tour of its' state of the art facilities. Not only did the whole place had spectacular views, the center boasts of it's own hall, a radio station and club that was specifically designed for jazz.
Later that night we moved on to Blue Note to catch the Crusaders led by Joe Sample featuring Steve Gadd, Wilton Felder and Ray Parker Jr. It was a highly enjoyable, soulful jamming session. We managed to get inside the dressing rooms to say hello and exchange friendly hugs. It was a joy to share a moment with them while they fondly talked about their Tokyo days.
Next day, around 10 am, Kyoko and I were able to get our credentials without much waiting but the reception hall soon began to fill by midday. Since there wasn't much happening yet we went for a walk and did some shopping. I was able to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral standing so awesome and beautiful as always. We also had a chance to check out a new Brazilian restaurant on 49th St where we enjoyed caipirinha and feijoada.
Back at the conference, we got busy hooking up with friends and acquaintances. There was music, people and a flurry of activity everywhere. By midnight I was weary but had to meet friends coordinating the Japan French Jazz Alliance. This year, IAJE put a special focus on France, presented in partnership with the government. A 200-member French delegation was formed for a series of performances along with Michel Legrand, Richard Galliano and the French Elite All Stars.
 | | Bass Improvisation - with Eddie Gomez |  | | A moment with Eddie |  | | and Marcus |  | | NEA Jazz Master Toshiko Akiyoshi accepting her award |
This year's conference offered insightful panels and workshops geared to members of the jazz recording, journalism, presenting, performing, retail, and radio industry. It provided an opportunity for members to interact with each other in a series of sessions that encourage the honest exchange of ideas and strategies for the future.
Among the highlights included exclusive one-on-one interviews with Ornette Coleman, Joe Lovano, Hank Jones, Phil Woods, Roy Hanes and many more. We went to catch our personal favorites and dear friends Eddie Gomez, Marcus Miller and Tiger Okoshi doing lectures and performances.
It was inspiring to see them at work, sharing so much of their knowledge and expertise with their eager audience.
We had whole busy days chasing clinics, workshops and performances. I truly wished I had another body, a clone or something : ) there was just so many things to do... and it was so energizing and fun!
The first vocal clinic I attended was presented by legendary Sheila Jordan accompanied by Steve Kuhn. They were a perfect team. She exuded so much warmth and love be it singing or talking. She captivated the audience of mostly singers with her words of wisdom by sharing her own experiences as a singer.
The best highlight for me was the NEA Jazz Master Awards (National Endowment for the Arts) concert when they recognized six jazz artists and one jazz advocate. Among them were big-band leader Toshiko Akiyoshi, pianist Ramsey Lewis and vocalist Jimmy Scott, America's highest jazz honor. I was specially moved by Toshiko Akiyoshi, who came to the U.S. from Japan 50 years ago, credited for her groundbreaking role in paving the way for Asian-American and women musicians.
I felt a strong connection with the awards given because back home in Tokyo, my latest album "Nica's Dream", is the recipient of this year's Swing Journal Jazz Disc Award for Best Vocal. It gives me and all the people I worked with great honor to be recognized for our efforts.
On the last day of the conference we were all deeply saddened to hear the passing away of two important jazz figures Michael Brecker and Alice Coltrane. Michael Brecker, considered by many to be the most influential tenor saxophonist since John Coltrane, succumbed to leukemia on Saturday, Jan. 13. Alice Coltrane, a jazz musician who was closely linked with the music of her late husband, legendary saxophonist John Coltrane, has died of respiratory failure.
As in Louis Armstrong's famous line "Life is what we play", it's all about what we go through and how we go through life. I have reaped so much during this 4-day conference as a musician, a teacher and a student and I hope to nurture and pass on that knowledge in the best way I can. IAJE has once again fulfilled its' mission to assure the continued worldwide growth and development of jazz and jazz education. We hope to continue raise the awareness to enhance the development of the music and its audiences, to firmly establish jazz within the global consciousness.
Charito
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