About

Formed in 1949 by Masaaki Misago  and known as Japan’s premier Latin jazz big band since their founding, the Tokyo Cuban Boys here push boundaries by blending Japanese folk traditions (Minyo) with Afro-Cuban jazz, big band swing, and jazz-rock energy.  The postwar mambo whirlwind in Japan catapulted the band to Latin band stardom, and for more than 30 years, until its breakup in 1980, it reigned supreme as the king of Latin big bands in Japan. In 2005, Tadaaki Misago's son, Kazuaki Misago, who inherited Tadaaki Misago's legacy, reunited the group as "Tadaaki Misago & Tokyo Cuban Boys" and officially started their activities. — (via Label)

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Masterful fusion of Minyo, latin, and jazz arranged by Norio Maeda. This is a work by the Tokyo Cuban Boys, led by Naoteru Misago. It's an ambitious piece that showcases Japanese folk and classical songs with innovative arrangements and performances. The entire album is wonderful, including " Sakura Sakura ," which evolves from Afro-Cuban to jazz-rock, the groovy " Yagibushi ," the mysterious sound of "Genroku Hanami Odori" with its shakuhachi and koto, the exotic modal jazz of " Esashi Oiwake ," and the light-hearted and fun "Awa Odori." Arranged by Norio Maeda, the album features contributions from Kohachiro Miyata and Tadao Sawai. — (via Yusuke Ogawa, Universounds / Deep Jazz Reality )

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Label: Columbia 
Series: HMV Record Shop x Deep Jazz Reality / Project Re:Vinyl  
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue
Reissued: 2025 / Originally Released: 1972
Genre: Jazz, Folk
Style: Big Band, Japanese Jazz

File under: Japanese Jazz
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