Japanese author Haruki Murakami has a remedy for those who need relaxation from stress and worries in a pandemic - bossa nova.
“As we are going through a time of anxiety, I hope to help you relax even just a little bit,” Murakami said as he hosted a live music event, ‘Murakami Jam Blame it on the Bossa Nova’, bringing together renowned Japanese performers of bossa nova, jazz and classical music.
Despite the pandemic, Murakami known for best-sellers including ‘A Wild Sheep Chase’, ‘The Wind-up Bird Chronicle’ and ‘1Q84’ said he still maintains a daily routine including running and writing, but the frequent world traveller has stayed in Japan.
From front left: Jazz pianist Junko Onishi, novelist Haruki Murakami, clarinetist Eiji Kitamura and pop singer Miu Sakamoto after a Murakami Jam live music event in June 2019 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
Renowned Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami invites listeners to usher in 2021 together as he will host his first New Year s Eve radio special live from a studio in his hometown Kyoto.
“Let’s hear the tolling of the New Year’s Eve bells in the ancient capital and ring in the new year together,” Murakami said in a statement on the website of the show, titled “Toshikoshi Special Ushizaka 21 ” (Year-crossing Special).