World Premier of a new adaptation of the 2004 New York JVC Jazz Festival play followed by a panel discussion on Japanese culture in jazz featuring music legend Toshiko Akiyoshi.

Set in 1964 New York, a jazz trombone player named Q. (Gregory Charles Royal) struggles with his wealthy girlfriend (Kay Matsukawa) over his artistic ethics and her quest for singing fame and new Americanization the day of his band Hardbop's debut performance at the Jazz Corner Nightclub.

The production features live performance in the hardbop jazz style by Duke Ellington Orchestra and Art Blakey alum Gregory Charles Royal
who was also chronicled in the book Art Blakey Jazz Messenger (Leslie Gourse Shirmer Books, New York 2002). Also stars Japanese vocal sensation:
Kay Matsukawa.Directed by Kazuki Takase.