Hisaya-odori (Hisaya-odori Street) is a street characterized by a 100-meter road that runs vertically through the center of Sakae, Nagoya. Hisaya-odori Park, home to the iconic TV Tower, opened as "Hisaya-odori Park" in September 2020, becoming a new place to relax. The park is lined with stylish cafes and restaurants, and despite being in the city, it is a popular walking path for locals as it offers lush greenery. Located on the north side of Nagoya's largest entertainment district, Sakae, it is within walking distance of the Sakae area, yet slightly removed from the city center, creating a tranquil and stylish neighborhood. Furthermore, Higashisakura is known as "Jazz Town" due to the many jazz venues lined along Iida-kaido, which runs through the neighborhood. Just a two-minute walk from Hisaya-odori Station, "THE WIZ," run by owner Ryoko Ota, is known as one of Nagoya's leading jazz venues.

Owner Yoshiko's encounter with jazz

The owner, Ryoko, who everyone calls "Ryoko Mama," originally loved chorus groups, and it was when she heard a live performance by the American jazz chorus group The Manhattan Transfer that she realized for the first time that "this is the music known as jazz." This experience sparked her fascination with jazz, and since then she has listened to many piano trio* performances.
*A piano trio is a band consisting of three people, including a piano. In the world of jazz, the basic piano trio is a piano, bass, and drums arrangement.

The never-ending appeal of jazz

In the world of jazz, there are several songs that are played repeatedly as staples known as "jazz standards." Ryoko says that one of the charms of jazz is that even the same song never gets boring, as the tempo and structure vary depending on who is playing it. Another attraction of jazz standards is that they are classic pieces that anyone can play, so even people who have just met can improvise together. It is an incredibly enriching experience to watch the sounds being woven together, almost like having a musical conversation.

"THE WIZ" started as a bread-making class

The beginnings of "THE WIZ" came from an unexpected coincidence. Yoshiko was approached by her sister who said she wanted to go independent and start a bread-making class, and she was preparing to open a restaurant and bread-making class, but the person who was supposed to run the store was unable to do so due to circumstances. Instead, Yoshiko started "THE WIZ". Due to the risk of noise from drums and other instruments, they initially only played piano, but gradually saxophone and trumpet were added, and the place has become a renowned jazz venue. Today, it is loved by many as one of the venues leading the jazz culture in Nagoya.

The essence of "THE WIZ" is not limited to jazz, but lies in the luxurious time you can enjoy, featuring creative pasta and small dishes prepared by a chef with 10 years of French training. The time you spend savoring your meal while enjoying carefully selected drinks, surrounded by the soothing sound of live jazz, offers a special and rich atmosphere.

Yasuko Suzuki, a jazz singer active mainly in Nagoya, and THE WIZ

Nagoya-based jazz singer Yasuko Suzuki was also captivated by the charms of jazz through "THE WIZ." Yasuko first became captivated by jazz when she heard Chie Ayado's singing voice as a student. She was struck by her powerful yet refined performance and says she was captivated by her voice. Until then, she hadn't even known that jazz songs existed. However, the moment she heard Chie Ayado's voice, she was deeply moved, realizing, "There are Japanese people who can sing so beautifully!" The jazz records she picked up at a local cafe during her student days and the stylish atmosphere were special moments that sparked her interest in the jazz genre. At the time, she only had an image of jazz as something "cool" and "stylish." However, through various experiences and self-reflection, she realized that "what I really wanted to do was sing." I was drawn to the universality of jazz, which transcends borders, and the freedom it offers to connect with people through sessions anywhere, and I gradually began to get more involved in it.

For Yasuko, Nagoya's live music venue "WIZ" holds a special place. When she was just starting out, a fellow musician brought her there for the first time, and she says she was instantly captivated by the warm atmosphere, the beautiful sounds of the instruments, and the delicious food. Initially, Yasuko visited "THE WIZ" as a customer, but after taking on various challenges, with the support of owner Yoshiko and encouragement from pianist Koji Goto, she was able to realize her dream of performing live at her beloved venue, "THE WIZ." The combination of beautiful piano and a beautiful yet powerful vocals captivated the crowd, creating a beautiful and enriching evening at "THE WIZ."

A place that connects Nagoya's jazz culture to the future

A distinctive feature of jazz culture in the Nagoya area is that jazz clubs are located close to each other. This allows for active interaction between musicians. For this reason, "musicians from other prefectures often say that jazz culture is more developed here than in other areas."

Another feature of Nagoya's jazz culture is the proximity of educational institutions such as universities. Yoshiko says she wants to create a place where young students can grow and develop so that jazz culture will not die out.

"I feel like I'm everyone's mother. I want to support the students' growth. That's one of the things I enjoy," said the owner, Yoshiko, with a smile. A time where you can enjoy delicious food and drinks, surrounded by the music of musicians that Yoshiko, a deep lover of jazz, wholeheartedly recommends. Such a rich time unfolded at "THE WIZ."

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THE WIZ

Address: 1-9-8 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, 461-0005

Access: 2 minutes walk from Hisaya-odori Station on the Meijo and Sakuramichi subway lines

Website: https://www.wizjazz.jp

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.