Jazz fans new to Japan are often surprised and pleased by the abundance of jazz in Japan. In contrast with some other regions, the jazz genre immediately seems more appreciated and can pop up in expected places. One example is the unique new business Expression in the Jimbocho district of Tokyo.
This underground space goes by “Creative Basement Expression” and “Coworking and Jazz Club Expression”. It is a typical tidy and organized multi-use room.
The business’s basic operation is two-fold, split between daytime office space and an evening jazz club. The office theme serves those looking for rental office space during the day with tables, booths, and small individual rooms for quiet work or online meetings. The jazz side of the business proposes a variety of uses through keywords in the promotional materials: jazz, cafe, art, meetings, presentations, and so on.
It’s easy to imagine this shop being a nice and casual setting for busy students, business people, or other professionals whose work is never-ending, but who also want to listen to music, play, or practice an instrument when work is wrapped up for the day.
After the daytime meetings are over, the jazz functions take over. Starting in the evening, the main room is used for a variety of musical events including live performances, practice, and jazz jam sessions.
At certain times, there are no regular clerks or staff members visible, aside from the host or organizer of the jam session. This may initially give the space a somewhat deserted or abandoned atmosphere, but this is dispelled once the evening class, session, or jazz concert begins. Safety and anti-theft measures are assured by closed-circuit television monitoring the premises for a comfortable feeling (although perhaps a bit Big Brother-ish for some).
The well-lit room is cheered up with plastic plants and greenery placed throughout and hung from the ceiling. This creates a natural and peaceful atmosphere meant to convey the sense of an outdoor patio concert. This nice touch helps to prevent the typical office tedium which can be felt in generic, sterile workplaces.
At night, the jazz lessons are friendly and easy-going. Currently, attendance on some nights can be quite small, as the business just seems to be getting going and word of mouth has not spread widely. Yet this provides the benefits of more personalized attention and new musical connections to be easily made.
As far as food and drinks go, it is still early days but there’s not much on offer. Similar to a hotel honor bar, the mini-kitchen offers canned drinks and snacks like potato chips, with payment made through a smartphone app or coin box. Evening guests are also welcome to bring their own provisions from nearby groceries or convenience stores.
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Located near Jimbocho station in Tokyo