Mentor Spotlight: Eijiro Nakagawa
Redefining the Sound and Scale of the Trombone
Few musicians can claim to have shaped how an entire nation hears an instrument. Japanese trombonist Eijiro Nakagawa is one of them.
From concert halls and jazz festivals to television dramas, commercials, and large-scale orchestral productions, Nakagawa’s trombone sound has become deeply embedded in Japan’s musical landscape. It is often said that nearly seventy percent of the trombone sounds heard across Japanese media today belong to him — a statistic that speaks not only to his virtuosity, but to his remarkable versatility and cultural reach.
At Lion City Jazz Festival 2026, Nakagawa joins the mentor roster as a powerful example of how jazz musicianship can expand far beyond traditional stages while remaining rooted in craft, curiosity, and creative ambition.
A Prodigy with an Expansive Vision
Nakagawa began playing the trombone at the age of five, and by the time he was still in high school, he had already recorded his first album as a leader in New York. That early exposure to international jazz scenes set the tone for a career defined by scale — not just in volume or ensemble size, but in artistic reach.
His work spans jazz, classical, film, television, and commercial media, positioning him as one of Japan’s most in-demand brass players across genres. Whether as a soloist, ensemble leader, or featured orchestral musician, Nakagawa has consistently blurred the lines between artistic disciplines.
Building Ensembles, Building New Sounds
In 2002, Nakagawa formed the trombone duo “E;n” with Jim Pugh, marking an early exploration into collaborative brass storytelling. This was followed by the launch of Samurai BRASS in 2006 — a bold brass octet project that debuted at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall and quickly established itself as a major force in Japan’s live music scene. The ensemble’s sold-out concerts year after year demonstrated that brass music, when reimagined, could command mass appeal.
In 2018, Nakagawa co-founded SLIDE MONSTERS, a trombone quartet that went on to chart on both iTunes and Billboard — a rare achievement for a brass ensemble. Their debut album and subsequent tours attracted over a million views online, positioning the group as a genre-defying act capable of reaching audiences far beyond the traditional jazz world.
Innovation Through Adversity
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nakagawa continued to innovate. In 2020, he formed SUPER BRASS STARS, initially as a trio with trumpeter Eric Miyashiro and saxophonist Masato Honda. Designed for flexibility during lockdown restrictions, the group evolved into a multi-format ensemble collaborating with orchestras, brass bands, and large ensembles across Japan.
His 2021 online solo concert project, “Eijiro Nakagawa SOLO Exhibition – Hitori (one-person) Monsters”, further showcased his forward-thinking approach. Combining original compositions with cinematic video direction, the performance redefined what a live concert could be in a digital-first environment.
Orchestral Excellence and Educational Leadership
Alongside his work in jazz and popular media, Nakagawa remains a sought-after soloist with Japan’s leading orchestras, including the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, Osaka Philharmonic, and many others.
He currently serves as a lecturer at the Jazz Department of Kunitachi College of Music, where he continues to shape the next generation of musicians — bridging technical excellence with real-world versatility.
Eijiro Nakagawa at Lion City Jazz Festival 2026
At LCJF 2026, Nakagawa appears in both educational and performance contexts, reflecting the festival’s core emphasis on mentorship and exchange.
Masterclass
Brass Conversations with Eijiro Nakagawa (JP)
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Venue: Gateway Theatre, Blackbox L8
Tickets: $15
More info: https://www.lioncityjazz.com/brass-conversations-with-eijiro-nakagawa-jp
This masterclass offers an inside look at brass performance across genres — from jazz improvisation to orchestral precision, media work, and ensemble leadership. Designed for brass players and musicians alike, it promises practical insight grounded in decades of high-level performance experience.
Finale Concert
The Brecker Brothers & Beyond
JASSYO! with Randy Brecker & Ada Rovatti (US)
As part of the LCJF 2026 Finale Concert, Nakagawa joins an international ensemble of artists spanning Singapore, Japan, the US, Europe, and Hong Kong — embodying the festival’s belief that jazz thrives through collaboration, dialogue, and shared musical language.
Beyond Genre, Beyond Borders
Eijiro Nakagawa represents a modern jazz musician whose influence extends far beyond the club or concert hall. His career demonstrates how technical mastery, openness to experimentation, and a willingness to adapt can lead to cultural impact at scale.
At Lion City Jazz Festival 2026, his presence is both an inspiration and an invitation — to think bigger about what jazz can be, and where it can go.
