Interview Shuya Okino of Kyoto Jazz Massive by DJ Ness Afro

Ness radio était bien présent au sublime concert de Kyoto Jazz Massive le jeudi 29 novembre dernier pour la sortie de leur nouveau vinyl ‘Kyoto Jazz Massive – KJM Covers (30th Anniversary Compilation)’
Dans la salle bouillante et sold out du New Morning , Kyoto Jazz Massive a pu réunir un public ultra chaleureux et offrir un double set merveilleux afin de célébrer 30 ans de carrière.
Nous avons pu nous entretenir avec le co-fondateur de Kyoto Jazz Massive, passionné, militant et leader Shuya Okino.

Ness Radio : Let’s take it from the start, back in 1999 was Nacer De Sol your first single ? that was first released by DJ Yellow (Alain Ho) & Chris The French Kiss (Bob Sinclair) on Yellow Productions and do you remember the What’s Up Acid Jazz Parties in Paris that contributed a great deal with of course the London Bar Rumba scene.

Shuya Okino :

The song “Spireedom,” included on the Blue Note 60th Anniversary compilation released in Japan, is Kyoto Jazz Massive’s first original work. That same year “Nacer Do Sol,” released by Yellow Productions and featured on ‘Bossa Tres Jazz’ became our first original track released in Europe.
Our first single was “Eclipse,” released by Compost Records in 2000. So I think “Nacer Do Sol” was the catalyst that gave Kyoto Jazz Massive recognition in Europe as artists who also create original compositions. I remember “What’s Up Acid Jazz Parties” well. Alex Barck from Jazzanova played before me and I was so captivated by his incredible DJ set that I completely forgot to take over.

Ness Radio : How did you meet your music mentor Gilles Peterson ?

Shuya Okino :
When I was 20 I took a month off from university and flew to London to go night clubbing. That’s where I first heard Giles DJ, he was spinning at a club called WAG. I thought every track Gilles played was amazing and I believed I could become a DJ like him!
Around Christmas 1990 Galliano and Gilles came to Japan and that’s when I first spoke with him in Tokyo. He signed the « Talkin’ Loud » small booklet for me, writing “To The Kyoto Jazz Massive.”
I asked him if I could use that as the name for my DJ team and he agreed.
I think I was lucky. I’ve never paid him anything for it.

Ness Radio : Would you say that Acid Jazz is back more than ever with the return of Masters At Work collaboration with Brian Jackson ?

Shuya Okino :
Over the past few years there’s been a lot of buzz about the revival of acid jazz in part thanks to Galliano’s new album and Kyoto Jazz Massive’s European tour.
The term “acid jazz” was originally used in the 90s as a collective name for the jazz funk of the 70s and 90s so it’s fair to say Brian Jackson by Masters At Work are a symbol of the revival of acid jazz.
Kyoto Jazz Massive collaborates with a French disco band/Echoes Of A New Dawn Orchestra on recordings and tours aiming to evolve acid jazz into a contemporary form. We also influence and are influence by artists like Nubya Garcia, Joe Armon Jones and Emma Jean Thackray. Rather than a reviva, I hope to join a new transgenerational Jazz Funk Movement for this era.

Ness Radio : I remember buying your first classic album ‘Spirit Of The Sun’ on Compost, Vanessa Freeman was already there on Vocals & the keyboard Hajime Yoshizawa from UFO both played an importnat role in the success of this album ?

Shuya Okino :
Hajime Yoshizawa was a member of Mondo Grosso and a key figure in the club jazz scene who later formed Sleep Walker. Actually between Mondo Grosso and Kyoto Jazz Massive I was in a unit called Cosmic Village with Hajime and during our recording sessions he gave me guidance on how to compose songs. For Kyoto Jazz Massive he is an extremely important keyboardist and arranger but even before that he was the teacher who taught me how to compose.
Vanessa Freeman is truly the Voice of KJM. Our relationship which began with Spirit Of The Sun continues to this day. She is indispensable for both Kyoto Jazz Massive’s recordings and live performances. She will undoubtedly play a central role on our third album as well.

Ness Radio : Fueled For The Future – Volume 1 is still an outstanding Mix of Kyoto Jazz Massive on CD, you have done so much to support the best music and the real musical scene, how do you see the role of a Deejay today ?

Shuya Okino :
I believe a DJ’s role is to promote undiscovered gems and tracks by unknown artists and then sometimes it’s about making well known songs sound completely fresh. A core mission has always been to step away from the mainstream and bring the audience something surprising. Unfortunately in today’s world, where influencers are increasingly seen as DJs and every event will be uploaded to social media it can just be about keeping the dance floor packed by playing songs familiar to clubbers,
I still hold that playing unknown tracks and proposing unexpected combinations remains the essential role.

Ness Radio : I saw you live this year at New Morning with Echoes of a New Dawn Orchestra ( Echoes of, Jéroboam), how did you meet this incredible band managed by our man Etienne « ATN » Dupuy.

Shuya Okino :
Originally, after releasing ‘Message From A New Dawn’ Etienne tried to invite Kyoto Jazz Massive to Paris.
However it was right after COVID, flight costs skyrocketed and it became impossible. So Etienne asked me, “Would it be possible for Shuya to come to Paris alone and perform with local musicians?”
I agreed it was a good idea, recalling how I’d previously invited Carlos Garnett to Japan and made his live performance with Japanese musicians happen.
The Echoes Of A New Dawn Orchestra consists of members Etienne Dupuy selected. He handpicked the very best musicians from those participating in the “Echoes Of~” events at New Morning—where he also serves as a booker—to recreate Kyoto Jazz Massive’s recordings live.

Ness Radio : I am curious, i know you listen to all kind of music from Japan, would you say Beatmakers like From DJ Krush and Nujabes to DJ Honda and DJ Muro are also musicians ?
Do you think Nujabes was a genious , did you get to meet or collaborate with him ?

Shuya Okino :

DJ Krush is definitely someone you can call a musician. While Krush also produces original tracks during his live sets he treats turntable techniques—improvisational scratching being the prime example—like an actual instrument, layering them over his own songs and band performances!

DJ Krush Live

Nujabes ! Actually I knew his name of course but I never saw his face until after he passed away. I was shocked when I saw his photo! Turns out he was an early regular of The Room, the club I own in Shibuya.
He’d frequently come up to the DJ booth
and ask me to tell him what track was playing. He asked so often that one night, after I’d finished DJing I handed him my entire record box. Unfortunately, we never collaborated but he did include one track SleepWalker’s AI-NO-KAWA I produced on his compilation MODAL SOUL CLASSIC BY-NUJABES.

Ness Radio : On your latest release my favorite track (Played and on heavy rotation on Ness Radio) that was released on Bandcamp is Kowree Sambazzi feat.Vanessa Freeman & Bembe Segue, will you release it also on Vinyl along the new Art Of Tones Remixes ?

Shuya Okino :

Yes, Kowrie Sambazzi is featured on the 2025 release KJM COVERS on vinyl.
Power (Art Of Tones Remix) is planned for a 2026 12-inch release paired with Impulsive Procession (Opolopo remix).

Ness Radio : You have never been into comercial music, Music is Spiritual , would you say more than ever with the current madness going on our day ?

Shuya Okino :

I always create music with love and peace in mind. I believe music is harmony itself, something worthy of hope.
Creating music and traveling the world to perform is synonymous with humanity uniting across eras, races, borders and generations. My motivation lies in making better compositions, rather than sales or money. Music is spiritual, and that conviction grows stronger.
I may not be able to fix this crazy world but I can dream of a peaceful world free from prejudice. I wish to continue my musical journey connecting with musicians and audiences from different countries and cultures, staying true to my own path.

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