UENO JAZZ NIGHT, 2026 (May): Experience a Jazzy Evening in Ueno @ Bistro NOHGA

Bistro NOHGA presents "UENO JAZZ NIGHT, 2026"

From lively jazz numbers to soulful ballads, enjoy a diverse selection of music that will both captivate and delight, bringing vibrant energy to the art and culture district of Ueno by night.

This month, there will be two performances: on the 15th and 29th. The trios will feature guitar, bass, and vibraphone, and guitar, bass, and vocals. These different trio configurations promise wonderful performances, each showcasing the unique individuality of the artists.

Why not indulge in delicious cuisine and your favorite drink while immersing yourself in the enchanting world of jazz?

There is no music charge, so everyone is welcome to drop by and enjoy the evening. We invite you to experience a wonderful time at Bistro NOHGA.

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[Event Details: "UENO JAZZ NIGHT 2026"]

＜Date & Time＞
Friday, May 15,24, 2026
1st Stage: 19:00-19:20
2nd Stage: 20:00-20:20
3rd Stage: 21:00-21:20

＜Performers＞
5/15: Guitar / Hirofumi Asaba, Bass / Kentaro Arai, Vibraphone / Susumu Takeda
5/29: Vocal / Sari, Guitar / Hiroyoshi Horie, Bass / Yosuke Terao

＜Venue＞
Hotel 1F, "Bistro NOHGA"
(Dinner hours: 18:00-22:30)

■ Music Charge: Free

[Performers profile]

5/15 Fri

Hirofumi Asaba (Guitar)

Hirofumi Asaba was born in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan.
He discovered the guitar at the age of 14, and at 20 began traveling the world with his guitar, refining his skills through sessions with musicians in various countries.
After returning to Japan, he studied under renowned Japanese jazz guitarist Yoshiaki Okayasu.

Since releasing his first album in 2015, he has released three CD albums and five Bandcamp-exclusive online albums.
In addition to performing at the prestigious COTTON CLUB in Marunouchi, Tokyo, he has appeared with his own band at jazz festivals in the United States, China, South Korea, and Taiwan, steadily building an international reputation.

He has also collaborated with fashion and lifestyle brands such as Ralph Lauren, J.M. Weston, and Hakusan Megane.
His original music was featured in the promotional video "A Stool for Guitarists," a collaboration between Fritz Hansen and Fragment Design by Hiroshi Fujiwara.

He currently has over 26,000 followers on Instagram and more than 30,000 subscribers on YouTube, earning support from fans worldwide.
With deep admiration for Barney Kessel, he continues pursuing the traditional art of jazz guitar while aiming to become one of the world's leading guitarists.

Kentaro Arai (Bass)

Kentaro Arai was born in 1982 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
He began playing electric bass at the age of 14, and in 2001 joined the New Orleans Jazz Club at Waseda University, where he started playing double bass.

During his student years, he traveled to the United States twice and visited New Orleans, deepening his understanding of jazz culture and music.

He is currently active mainly in Tokyo.

Susumu Takeda (Vibraphone)

Susumu Takeda began studying Latin percussion while attending the Percussion Department at Musashino Academia Musicae.

After graduating, he began working as a freelance percussionist. Throughout his career, he has performed at school concerts, nursing homes, hotel salon concerts, television music recordings, and as a supporting musician for reggae and hip-hop bands.
In order to further expand his activities as a musician, he later studied jazz vibraphone and jazz theory after graduating from music college.

Currently, his main focus is performing as a jazz vibraphonist at jazz clubs, hotels, and lounges throughout Japan.

5/29 Fri

Sari (Vocal)

Born in Yokohama, Japan, Sari is a jazz vocalist and daughter of renowned jazz saxophonist Seiichi Nakamura. Raised in a musical environment, she developed a passion for musical theater from an early age, studying dance and musical repertoire at the Diana Ishiyama Song & Dance Musical School beginning at age five.
At sixteen, she discovered jazz through the album Ella Sings the Cole Porter Songbook, borrowed from her father -- an experience that inspired her to pursue a career as a jazz singer.
After graduating top of her class from the Jazz Vocal Department of Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, she continued her studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Upon returning to Japan, she won first prize at the Osaka Asian Dreams Jazz Vocal Competition 2013.

Today, Sari is active not only as a performer but also as the host of the radio program "Otona no Jazz Time." In addition, she has worked extensively as a voice artist and vocalist for television commercials, including narration for the well-known bridal campaign "Zexy."

Her latest release is the 2024 collaborative album Musical Theater Songbook Vol.1 with pianist Yuya Wakai.

Hiroyoshi Horie (Guitar)

Winner of the 2017 Gibson Jazz Guitar Contest, Hiroyoshi Horie is an acclaimed guitarist, composer, and arranger based in Japan. He performs with various ensembles including his own trio, Mokomoko, Nejimon, the Junichi Yanagi Duo, Pochotto, and Offhand.

To date, he has released four albums as a bandleader. In addition to live performance, he is active in recording for NHK radio programs, musical theater productions, and commercial music projects.

As a composer and arranger, Horie has also contributed original works to the background music streaming service H2music.ch. His artistic activities extend into interdisciplinary projects, including performances inspired by literary works such as Maihime by Mori Ogai.

Yosuke Terao (Bass)

Born in Saitama, Japan, Yosuke Terao began playing double bass while studying at Meiji University, where he joined the Big Sounds Society Orchestra. He studied double bass under Daiki Yasukagawa.

Throughout his career, Terao has performed extensively with a wide range of musicians, from emerging artists to jazz veterans, in settings ranging from small combos to big bands. He has also collaborated and recorded with internationally renowned artists including Steve Wilson, Douglas Purviance, John Mosca, Dennis Mackrel, Carl Saunders, and Vladimir Shafranov.

In 2019, he traveled to the United States to further refine his artistry through performances at local jazz clubs. Since returning to Japan, he has remained active not only in jazz performance but also in musical theater, artist support, and studio recording projects.

Book online here

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【Bistro NOHGA　Business hours】

　BREAKFAST : 7:00～10:00
　LUNCH : 11:30-14:00
　CAFE : 14:00～18:00
　DINNER : 18:00～22:30（L.O. COURSE 21:00、FOOD 21:30、DRINK 22:00）
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※In consideration of the health and safety of our customers, the content of our offerings and business hours are subject to change. Please check NEWS for the latest information.

＞＞＞　For reservations and inquiries by phone, please contact...　　
　　　　TEL：03-6284-2417（Direct access to Bistro NOHGA）