Cultural Figures 122 (Jazz Pianist Takeshi Ohbayashi and others)
#NewCenturyJazzQuintet (Dr #UlyssesOwensJr & P #TakeshiOhbayashi)
→ Formed in June 2014 with the goal of creating a new era of jazz through young sensibilities, based on the essence of traditional, good old #jazz. They made an impression across the United States by winning the DC JazPrix, a jazz competition newly established by the Washington D.C. Jazz Festival.
Since their debut, each member has been extremely active. #TimGreen is currently active as a member of Michael Bublé's big band. In 2016, #YasushiNakamura and Takeshi Ohbayashi each released leader albums. In May 2017, Ulysses Owens Jr. released his fourth leader album, a trio work featuring 21-year-old genius vibraphonist Joel Ross. Benny Benack III also released his highly anticipated debut album on June 21, 2017. (Excerpt from the Spice of Life website)
Interview (2015, regarding the new album "IN CASE YOU MISSED US," etc.)
・Appearance at Tokyo Jazz
(Ohbayashi) Since we just started the band, I am happy to be able to perform at a festival that can be enjoyed by both people who listen to jazz and those who have never heard it before.
(Ulysses) I performed with #MakotoOzone at Tokyo Jazz last year, and it was exciting. Since it is a festival that brings together wonderful halls in Tokyo, wonderful audiences, and wonderful musicians, I have wanted to perform there since the group was formed.
・How the band was formed
(Ulysses) A singer named #CharlesTurner was the reason we met. I performed with Takeshi three years ago. I heard there was an amazing pianist, and that was Takeshi. I contacted him immediately, and we ended up performing together.
(Ohbayashi) Ulysses and I shared the same respected musicians, and even though he is a top-level musician, I sympathized with his attitude of creating music with all the band members.
・Band characteristics
(Ulysses) Takeshi is wonderful, and we have a relationship where we can compensate for each other's weaknesses. We work together as co-leaders. Drummers are rarely in the spotlight, but they are a leader-like presence in any band. Art Blakey is like that. My role is to organize the wonderful songs that Takeshi creates. We create music together.
(Ohbayashi) I wanted to create a unique band sound, so this time we made an album that features everyone. Everyone provides songs equally. We are all busy musicians in New York, but we inspired each other and brought our songs together.
(Ulysses) What is important and what we were particular about is the band sound. Recently, in the jazz world, bands have been disappearing. Just like Blakey's Jazz Messengers or the Horace Silver Quartet, a partner is a desirable form. I was particular about having a band that I always want to play with.
(Ohbayashi) As for the musical style, you can feel the styles from the early to mid-jazz periods, but the characteristic is that it swings firmly. That soulful and bluesy part is the foundation.
・Differences in nationality
(Ulysses) Takeshi and Yasushi are Japanese, but I am not conscious of the fact that they are Japanese. It is just that they are the people I want to play with. It just so happens that the musicians with world-class ability were Japanese. Our spirits are connected.