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About this concert
KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE is an innovative project led by two hugely influential DJs and artists among the Japanese music scene in Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Sextet & owner of The Room in Shibuya) and Yoshihiro Okino (owner of Especial Records).
Revealed and named KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE by Gilles Peterson in the early 90's, the DJ duo formed by OKINO brothers, pioneered Japanese club jazz and crossover music worldwide. In 1994, their first production came out, a compilation entitled "KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE V.A.". But their breakthrough came while signing their first single "ECLIPSE" on the German label Compost, followed in 2000 by their milestone album "SPIRIT OF THE SUN" ! KJM gained international recognition, as both critics and audience acclaimed their innovative crossover style, blending electro, jazz, house, funk and broken beats.
In 2004, they formed the "Kyoto Jazz Massive Live Set" featuring Vanessa Freeman and Tasita D'Mour on vocals, which performed throughout Europe and Asia (from the Tokyo Crossover Jazz Festival to the North Sea Jazz Festival). Thereafter, numerous collaborations and remixes were released as well as several EP's, earning them the reputation of outstanding producers.
In the meantime, Shuya Okino followed his own path, as a recognized DJ, traveling all through the globe and also producing a number of successful artists such as Mondo Grosso, Sleep Walker, Cosmic Village, Hajime Yoshizawa, ROOT SOUL and DJ KAWASAKI. He even made a name for himself as a writer, with three successful books "What makes a good DJ", "The first Jazz Club book" and the business book 'Filter your thinking for success'.
In 2006, he finally released his first remarkable solo album "United Legends", for which he invited ten vocalists and ten producers only communicating using Email. This unprecedented technique of making music has made it of special interest to the music scene.
With "Destiny" in 2011, Shuya made it big by bringing together Navasha Daya (Gil Scott Heron's niece), N'Dea Davenport, Clara Hill, Divinity and Pete Simpson. The single "Still In Love", the Rose Royce's disco hit cover, is a banger, played by many DJ's around the world, Giles Peterson for BBC Radio One, Kevin Beadle, Patrick Forge among many others. Several remixes of "Still In Love" were even compiled as a special release on Defected Records.
Since 2015, Shuya Okino revives the Kyoto Jazz brand under the name Sextet, producing two magnificent albums with spiritual and straight ahead jazz influences inspired by the likes of the great Pharoah Sanders.
But it was not until 2022 that Kyoto Jazz Massive returned with their (only) second and long-anticipated album. The wait has definitely been worth it as Kyoto Jazz Massive have once again delivered another incredible genre-defying recording that continues to be forward looking. With "Message From A New Dawn", KJM offers an ultimate vision of a modern, deep and jazz dancefloor crossover, including elements of house, afrobeat, soul and funk. Not to mention the irresistible voice of Vanessa Freeman and the exceptional participation of legendary Roy Ayers!
After a 15 years hiatus away from the European stages, Shuya Okino decided to support KJM's new release with a small tour in the UK and France, pulling up a brand new line up. Led by Shuya Okino and featuring Vanessa Freeman on lead vocals, this powerful backing band based in Paris and named Echoes Of A New Dawn Orchestra, has provided outstanding performances and sold out several shows in Paris New Morning and London Jazz Cafe, followed by acclaimed participation at Southport Weekender and We Out Here festivals in 2023.
2024 will be Kyoto Jazz Massive 30th anniversary, promising and announcing several live celebrations across Europe, along with brand new material and recordings such as a collaboration LP with The Echoes Of A New Dawn Orchestra, including their amazing rendition of KJM classic broken house anthem, Substream.
Shuya OKINO (musical director, vocal, percussions)
Vanessa FREEMAN (lead vocal)
Indy EKA (lvocal)
Agyei OSEI (vocal)
Jean-Baptiste PALIES (drums)
Carel CLERIL (bass)
Eli FROT (keyboards)
Kevin LEBELLEC (guitar)
Olivier MICONI (trumpet, keys)
James MÜLLER (percussions)
7:30 pm doors, 8:00 pm start time
Over 14s, under 16s to accompanied by an adult over 18
Festival website: www.jazzfest.co.uk
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What fans are saying
Karen
March 26th 2024
It was a night filled with amazing music that made you move. It was a wonderful experience and can’t wait to see them again.
London, United Kingdom@The Jazz Cafe
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Kyoto Jazz Massive Biography
Kyoto Jazz Massive is a musical project specialising in broken beat and electronic styles, consisting of the two brothers Okino Shuya and Okino Yoshihiro. Although the brothers have been DJ's since the late 1980's, they have been remixing and composing as far back as the early 1990's.
Since they formed Kyoto Jazz Massive as a DJ unit in the beginning of 90's, they have built a Japanese Jazz Crossover Music scene in Japan and also succesfully built a following overseas.
In 1994 they released their first production; a compilation CD entitled "Kyoto Jazz Massive V.A".
After that, they contracted with Compost Records in Germany in 2000 and released their first single "Eclipse /Silent Messenger" from that label. After releasing it, this track won first place on the BBC Radio One Chart and was evaluated highly worldwide. In the same year, they released their second single "Substream" successively.
In 2002, they finally released their first album "Spirit Of The Sun" which was received to widespread global acclaim.
As well as their own works and compositions, they have also released a steady flow of remixes which have helped solidify their reputation as highly sought after producers. As DJ's, they have been playing regularly not only in Japan but all over the world including England, Germany, Italy, France, America and so on. Their unique sound and live performances continue to amaze and attract new fans from people all over the world.
Read MoreSince they formed Kyoto Jazz Massive as a DJ unit in the beginning of 90's, they have built a Japanese Jazz Crossover Music scene in Japan and also succesfully built a following overseas.
In 1994 they released their first production; a compilation CD entitled "Kyoto Jazz Massive V.A".
After that, they contracted with Compost Records in Germany in 2000 and released their first single "Eclipse /Silent Messenger" from that label. After releasing it, this track won first place on the BBC Radio One Chart and was evaluated highly worldwide. In the same year, they released their second single "Substream" successively.
In 2002, they finally released their first album "Spirit Of The Sun" which was received to widespread global acclaim.
As well as their own works and compositions, they have also released a steady flow of remixes which have helped solidify their reputation as highly sought after producers. As DJ's, they have been playing regularly not only in Japan but all over the world including England, Germany, Italy, France, America and so on. Their unique sound and live performances continue to amaze and attract new fans from people all over the world.
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