Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on October 2009

Photo by Dan Grunebaum

Japan’s largest jazz fest may not be its most cutting-edge, but after years of mixed fortunes for similar festivals, it was good to see a full house at the Tokyo International Forum for the daytime “Groove” session on a warm Saturday in early September.

Drummer Akira Jimbo with guitarist Lee Ritenour, followed by guitarist John Scofield, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and Parliament/Funkadelic, kept a mostly middle-aged crowd entertained with music that ranged from Japanese fusion to New Orleans roots, and on to the big-band ska of Tokyo “Sukapara” and the ranging, psychedelic soul of P-Funk.

Considering his substantial girth, age and years of documented substance abuse, George Clinton looked surprisingly youthful as he led his band through ’70s standards like “Flashlight” and “Atomic Dog.” For this journalist, whose first basement disco parties relied heavily on P-Funk 45s, it was sweet to finally experience Clinton in the flesh, and to see that—unlike Sly Stone, who appeared at last year’s Tokyo Jazz—he still seemed reasonably healthy and in possession of at least most of his marbles.

Now firmly settled into its digs at the Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo Jazz looks like it’s here to stay as Asia’s premier showcase for mainstream jazz.