Sadao Watanabe, living legend of Japanese jazz, still gigging at 91

Trailblazing saxophonist has helped bring global respect to homegrown styles

20240514 Sadao Watanabe story main

Jazz trailblazer Sadao Watanabe, 91, flashes his trademark smile during an interview in Tokyo in March. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)

PETER TASKER, Contributing writer

TOKYO -- Sadao Watanabe is a monumental figure in the world of Japanese music. His life story, rich in often self-deprecating anecdotes, is fascinating, even for those who have little interest in jazz. The tale it tells, of resilience, positive energy and total commitment, is also the tale of postwar Japan.

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