Bridging Eras: Masahiro Goto’s Approach to Curating at Eagle Jazz Kissa

Preservation of Tradition: Safeguarding the Flame

Goto has published many jazz-related books, but since his 2015 book, “Selected 500 Jazz kissa Masterpieces,” he has been actively introducing jazz from the 21st century onward, and in his 2023 book, “Jazz Kissa Eagle’s Introduction to Contemporary Jazz,” he selected discs entirely from the 21st century and beyond. In 2023, the disc selection for “Introduction to Contemporary Jazz at the Jazz Kissa Eagle” was made entirely from 21st century and later jazz. In this book, we can read the same approach to music selection as that of Eagle’s. Instead of writing about the newness of new jazz, he carefully explains how the new jazz is connected to the jazz of the past, and how listeners who have heard the jazz of the past can enjoy the music more deeply.

In other words, this book is a kind offer to his own generation of jazz listeners who, like him, have been listening to jazz for a long time. At the same time, it is a guide for young listeners, who can be introduced to the history of jazz through new releases. The book’s core is a clever and natural connection between the past and the present, and the enjoyment of jazz by a wide range of listeners. I think the core of this book is the very philosophy behind the music selection we do every day at Eagle.

I brought Alejandro Ayala to Eagle because I thought that Goto’s philosophy had something in common with the orientation of International Anthem. In fact, Alejandro was so impressed by his approach that the two had a deep conversation and deepened their friendship. Later, his Instagram was accompanied by the following words along with a photo.

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.”

Gustav Mahler

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A post shared by Alejandro Ayala (@hippohq)

Eagle’s Five Albums

(Clockwise from top left)
Eric Dolphy’s “Here And There
Jackie McLean “Right Now!
Bill Evans Trio “Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Julian Lage “Speak To Me
Makaya McCraven “In These Times