Watanabe, one of five children, was born in Utsunomiya (Japan) on February 1, 1933. He was the fourth child of four sons and one girl. Watanabe was born in a small town 90 miles north-east of Tokyo. His father was an electrician, but he also taught and played the Japanese equivalent of lute called the biwa. His father’s acceptance of his wishes would allow Watanabe the freedom to move from his small town to the rest of the world. Japan was at the end of World War II by Watanabe’s time as a teenager. American music and movies were introduced to the country. Watanabe became fascinated by American culture after the creation of an Army camp near Utsunomiya. He saw the film Birth of the Blues during this period. Bing Crosby played the role of a young clarinet player in New Orleans trying to make his music heard. Watanabe was inspired by Birth of the Blues to ask his father for a clarinet. Watanabe bought his clarinet. He learned basic fingering techniques from a local man for three cents per lesson. After that, he was free to do it on his own. He listened to Armed Forces Radio, listening to songs by Benny Goodman as well as other big bands. He would copy their sounds to learn. Later, he would purchase records and repeat the process. Watanabe started playing in bands at Army bases with little training. Watanabe recalls that at first, people weren’t enthusiastic about his abilities, or lack thereof. But he learned over time. He started out on the clarinet but was eventually inspired by Charlie Parker’s saxophone playing, and the films starring Les Brown. Watanabe again asked his father for a saxophone. Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times reporter, Watanabe said that he didn’t believe anyone in his hometown knew what a Saxophone was. That was it. Jazz became my life.” Watanabe, with his saxophone, asked his father for two years to make himself a good jazz musician in Tokyo. Watanabe formed a band that fuses jazz and African music once he arrived in Tokyo. He joined the jam sessions where he tried to emulate Miles Davis or Charlie Parker’s playing style. Watanabe was invited to join Toshiko Aikiyoshi’s Cozy Quartet after many late-night sessions with the jazz pianist. Watanabe learned from Akiyoshi how to be a musician. Kalbacher was told by Watanabe that “She lives for music …..” She worked so hard to prepare that I was inspired to practice as she did. She taught me a lot about dedicating your entire energy to music. In 1960, Akiyoshi was awarded a scholarship to Boston’s Berklee College of Music for his dedication and practice. Watanabe was appointed leader of the Cozy Quartet in her absence. In 1962, it was obvious that Watanabe was a master of jazz. He was always learning, improving and trying new things. He and many other jazz musicians were still learning through trial and error. There weren’t any jazz schools and there was no way to improve your skills than by attending jam sessions that were held every night in Tokyo. Watanabe spent his time playing saxophone and also learning classical flute with Ririkohayashi, the lead flutist of the Tokyo Philharmonic. Akiyoshi recommended Watanabe to Berklee upon her return. Watanabe’s first trip to America was made with nothing more than his saxophone and some clothes. He studied at Berklee for three years. He played nightclub gigs around Boston at night. He was able to afford to send his wife and child from Japan within a year. This was a time Watanabe identifies as the most memorable. He thought Boston was a great city for musicians. He learned just as much from playing gigs than he did from attending classes. Berklee was Watanabe’s graduation year in 1965. He was a flutist and Chico Hamilton recommended him to Gary McFarland so that he could join their samba group. This was Watanabe’s first experience with Brazilian music. He was initially bored by the samba music he played, but he was eventually introduced to other Brazilian musicians through the band. He explained to Heckman that he was exposed to a new type of music after hearing Brazilian music, African music, and other approaches to jazz. It made him realize that feeling is what matters most. Music that is inspired by life is the best kind of music. In 1966, Watanabe went back to Japan. Jazz was not much different. Jazz musicians tried to reproduce the sounds on records. Watanabe’s knowledge from Berklee made him an invaluable source of information. He knew he had to do something and opened a small jazz school near his hometown of Utsunomiya. He continued to play and formed his own band. Watanabe began a tour and recording schedule in 1968. This has continued for over 30 years. That year, he made his debut at the Newport Jazz Festival. He performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1970. Watanabe recorded more than 60 albums by 2001, which included works from his early bebop days, to his collaborations and performances with regional stars such as the Jimbo Trio, Robbie Shakespeare, Jamaica, Dave Grusin, Manhattan. His radio program Nabesada and Jazz was launched in 1969. “Nabesada,” Watanabe’s Japanese nickname, is Watanabe. Since then, he has hosted a radio show. He hosted a radio program called My Dear Life, from 1972 to 1987, after Jazz and Nabesada. He has hosted Nightly Yours since then. Watanabe, who loves a wide variety of music, created the Kirin the Club music festival. It was originally called the Bravas Club. This festival has been a regular event for over 15 years and has attracted musicians from all walks of the globe. Watanabe has a long career that spans more than 50 years and has produced 60 albums. He continues to expand his horizons. He is a well-known Japanese photographer who has published three books on photography and hosted a three-part documentary. He married Mitsuko Itoh on September 29, 1957. They have a daughter, Mako. Mako was born in 1958. His marriage has lasted as long as his career. He is considered the father of Japanese jazz and won’t be slowing down anytime soon. from www.musicianguide.com
