The Soul in the Beats: George Kawaguchi and the Tokyo Jazz Ride (1960s-70s)

The Soul in the Beats: George Kawaguchi and the Tokyo Jazz Ride (1960s-70s)

The thunderous snare and earth-shaking bass drum--George Kawaguchi's drums were the very heartbeat of the times. In the "Special Story" section, there is an anecdote about how Charlie Ishiguro was instantly struck by his rhythm. It is said that just a few strokes offstage shook the souls of those who heard him.

Japan emerged from the postwar turmoil and entered a period of rapid economic growth. The streets were filled with jazz cafes, students were intoxicated by Coltrane, and the nights were filled with the sound of passionate improvised music. Kawaguchi was at the center of it all. He did not rely on musical scores, but learned the beat with his body. It was not "skill" but "life.

The Japanese jazz scene in the 1960s was an era of change in which diverse genres were intermingled. Kawaguchi's drumming stood out from the crowd, engulfing the audience with its explosive energy. The sounds of his activities as a member of the Big Four and his solo work "Drum Crazy" continue to awaken listeners today.

Times may have changed, but the brilliance of raw art remains the same. Kawaguchi's drums still speak of "eternity in a moment" that cannot be experienced through recorded music.