Lecture Concert "The Hometown of Jazz Piano

　The Genesis Era of Jazz History. There was no piano in the band where wind and percussion instruments were active. This was because it could not be used in marching bands, the original form of jazz.
　On the other hand, piano music, known as ragtime, flourished in the southern and midwestern United States. Jazz was shaped by the fusion of these two instrumental techniques with elements of vocal blues and Negro spirituals. The piano played a major role in this process. In the blink of an eye, there were virtuoso pianists who were as good as the great pianists of Europe.
　In the "Home of Jazz Piano," a talk session with pianist Kazune Tanaka will be held while listening to the sound recordings of these history-making masters. The second half of the program will feature a live performance by Tanaka and bassist Tadashi Sase.
(Toshiro Kohari, Yokohama Jazz Association)