Osamu Uchida Jazz Collection Exhibition Room The Osama Uchida Jazz Collection was, from 2002, originally based in the Civic Center. On 1st November 2008, it was moved to the urban centre of the Kōsei district, inside the lifelong learning complex that is Okazaki City Library and Community Plaza (Libra). Based on the second floor, the Osamu Uchida Jazz Collection introduces a complete variety of exhibitions. With the help of citizens, Libra is working to properly maintain and preserve the jazz collection as a foundation of cultural heritage and to show the achievements throughout Osamu Uchida’s lifetime. It also documents the development of the Japanese jazz world as well as promoting the cultural side of Okazaki.

■The Beginning of the Collection The first collection on display is the ‘History of Jazz’ - a 12-disc set bought by Osamu Uchida that was recorded onto valuable SP records.

■Live Recording -“GIN PARIS Session” Presented here is the Sony 777, an open-reel tape recorder used by Uchida himself to make live recordings, including the dreamlike “Ginparis Session”. This famous recording was made at the Ginparis chanson cafe in Ginza, Tokyo, the master tape of which can also be seen on display.

■Concert Producer Uchida did not only just invite touring musicians to come and play, but also arranged concerts by mixing up different musicians to produce fascinating performances. The Nagoya Yamaha Jazz Club which continued for 33 years is one good example. Many concert programmes are on display, as well as the commemorative drum head signed and presented to Uchida by the musicians at the 20th Anniversary Nagoya Yamaha Jazz Club Concert.

■Jazz is Best Live A video introduces Uchida and his travels all over Japan and the world to sample various live houses and jazz festivals, supporting his belief that Jazz is best heard live.

■Osamu Uchida’s Jazz History Osamu Uchida's History of Jazz presents his activities and involvement with other musicians in chronological order. Various Japanese jazz magazines, including the first issue of specialist magazine “Swing Journal”, are arranged such that visitors can gain an appreciation of how jazz evolved in postwar Japan.

■Friendship with Foreign Jazz Musicians Various jazz musicians from overseas, including Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans are introduced alongside the accompanying record jackets.

■Discovering Up-coming Jazz Musicians New, current musicians that Uchida has discovered or supported such as Keiko Lee and Naoko Terai are also presented with their accompanying CD jackets.

■Akira Miyazawa’s Sax (Selmer MK6) Presented here is the Tenor Sax owned by Japan's legendary saxophonist, Akira Miyazawa. It was given to Uchida by Miyazawa’s family who wished to have it preserved and is a revered instrument among jazz musicians.

■Masahiko Togashi’s Drum Set This is the drum set used by the prodigal jazz renovator and drummer Masahiko Togashi. Togashi overcame an accident which rendered him paraplegic and devised a special drum set which he could operate with just the top half of his body.

■Masanaga Harada’s Beloved Contrabass The double bass presented in this section was made in Germany in the 19th century and is connected to the bassist Masanaga Harada. Uchida bought the bass for Harada but Harada unfortunately passed away before being able to obtain the instrument. Since then, it has been used by Gary Peacock and later Sam Jones. In addition, Kunimitsu Inaba, Motoharu Yoshizawa, Yoshio “Chin” Suzuki, Nobuyoshi Ino and others have also acquired the legendary instrument, but it has since returned to Uchida's possession.

■Testimonial Footage: Doctor Jazz & Friends Here you can view interviews with Uchida himself, along with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Sadao Watanabe and other musicians and people who knew “Doctor Jazz”. Each of them recount memories, as well as other nostalgic episodes and personal messages to the City of Okazaki.

■The Doctor’s Studio The “Doctor's Studio” was built in 1964, underneath Uchida Hospital. With full-scale genuine facilities, equipment and instruments, the studio here has been re-created with information from various testimonies and photographs. Various music systems are stored and preserved here, including Marantz and JBL amps and Electro-Voice Patrician 800 speakers. The mixing deck used in the studio, piano Uchida bought on advice of Toshiko Akiyoshi and Motohiko Hino’s drum set are also here.

■Listening Corner The Listening Corner is a place people can enjoy sampling various pieces of music from the Osamu Uchida Jazz Collection library while being able to view both sides of the accompanying jackets. 72 records as well as 12 private tapes are set up for listening and the content is rotated every 2 months.

■Voice Guidance Audio guidance headsets are free to borrow from the reception desk to enhance the experience and provide clear explanations to the exhibitions inside the Osamu Uchida Jazz Collection.

■Touch Panels Monitors are positioned on the walls in 3 locations around the exhibition. 4 different sections are provided and visitors can touch the screen to watch videos about Uchida and the world of jazz. Audio narration is provided by Uchida’s good friend Akira Sakata.