TOKYO JAZZ JOINTS Philip Arneill & James Catchpole
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An Irishman and American walk into a bar...Two obsessed foreigners share the stories behind their pseudo-religious pilgrimage around the unique beauty of Japan's hidden world of jazz bars and coffee houses, documented on www.tokyojazzjoints.com and in the Tokyo Jazz Joints photobook published in 2023.
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A Jazz Kissa Fairytale
We are back with more stories, but before we get into our latest adventures in Kyushu and beyond, we have an extra special episode with some incredibly exciting news! Listen in to find out how you help all of James's stars align at once...
Shout out as ever to Brian from Grooves Ahead for all his assistance. -
A Bag of Bricks
We take a more free jazz approach to this episode as we waffle unashamedly for about half an hour and reflect on what's been a truly incredible year for the project. James continues to reframe the English language in his own image.
Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his patience and assistance. -
The Last Waltz
April's trip comes to an intimate end, not in that way, and we wrap up things with two stunning, and stunningly different places in the drinking lanes of the oddly tropical-feeling city of Kochi.
Thank as ever to Brian for the sound mix and Louie Lastic for our theme music. -
Uptown Funk
We are in Shikoku at last as James continues to expand his palate while Philip comes to grips with an unexpected response (and not James' this time...).
Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound. -
Smoke Gets in Your Ice Pt.4
A powdered-up James eats mountains of the shaved stuff as Philip tentatively dips his toe in the lesser-known jazz kissa art world in this last part of our three-day Kansai adventure.
Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound. -
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Pt.3
All editing prudence goes to the wall as we fall down a deep, deep Kansai-shaped hole in this feature-length episode which is the third of a four-parter...strap in!
Thanks as ever to Brian of Grooves Ahead for his assistance with sound.
Customer Reviews
Brilliant, inspiring, wonderful podcast
I have been listening since the beginning when lockdown started. It was wonderful to learn more about the culture of Jazz Joints in Japan and i will definitely visit in the future because of this podcast. The photos are gorgeous and so different from each other. Looking at the photos while listening is a great mix. I hope to meet both of you some day. If you want to know more about this culture, James and Philip are the best you could look for. I even created an Itunes account just to review this podcast as it deserves credit. I'm listening on spotify. Peace!
If your into Japanese jazz kissa, this is your pod
I’ve been to Japan with my partner a couple of times and on both visits have tried to visit as many jazz listening bars/cafes as possible. Was great to find this pod and realise that our interests are slightly less niche than we thought. The hosts are really interesting and knowledgable jazz, Japan and the venues. Can’t wait to get back over there and visit the places they mention.
Fascinating and evocative
This is a really excellent podcast. It’s all about these tiny Japanese bars and cafes where people go to listen to jazz records. The owners are often quite elderly, and have been running these labours of love for decades, playing their vast vinyl collections while their customers listen in silence. Often, the places close down when the owners can’t run them any more. The two presenters explore this unusual world with real enthusiasm and insight. It started as a photography project (tokyojazzjoints.com) - the photographs, by Philip Arneill, are really atmospheric and just make you want to visit these bars before they close down. The other presenter, James Catchpole aka Mr OK Jazz, has an equally good podcast called OK Jazz, playing jazz, world music and more. Totally fascinating. I recommend listening to the podcast while looking at the photos on the website. Brilliant work.