Kenichiro Nishihara is a producer, composer, pianist, DJ, and curator of sound. Active in Tokyo since 1996, his career has grown in close dialogue with fashion and urban culture, positioning him as a musician uniquely skilled at “curating” cityscapes through music. From Tokyo and Paris Fashion Weeks to collaborations with high-end brands such as Hermès’ champagne pop-ups and GINZA SIX, Nishihara has provided soundtracks and DJ selections that bridge music, space, and aesthetics. Stepping into OJAZ Tour in Taipei, audiences encounter not just groove, but a refined sensory experience—delicate, stylish, and deeply rooted in the texture of the city.

Nishihara’s solo works seamlessly blend jazz, hip-hop, soul, electronica, and house, forming a sound defined by subtlety and precision. His music playfully navigates boom bap, Latin, and disco rhythms, while harmonies carry the fluid, improvisational quality of jazz. Melodies unfold with a distinctly Japanese narrative sensibility—elegant and restrained, yet quietly powerful in their emotional reach.

His talent extends well beyond composition alone. As the founder of the label Jazcrafts, Nishihara has released not only his own music but also works by a wide range of artists, articulating a coherent musical philosophy and inviting listeners into what might be called the “Nishihara universe.” As a fashion week selector, he treats music as an integral medium for conveying brand aesthetics, shaping atmosphere through sound in dialogue with space and fashion culture. In these contexts, music may play a supporting role, yet it aligns seamlessly with his own artistic formation.

Looking back to the 1990s, Japan began cultivating a distinctive strain of hip-hop often referred to as Japanese jazz hip-hop. Drawing from American hip-hop while integrating local jazz traditions, vinyl culture, and the rhythms of Japanese urban life, this style diverged from the overt street politics of its American counterpart. Instead, Japanese artists gravitated toward an atmosphere-driven language—one that evokes solitude, introspection, and the subtle pulse of the city.

Nishihara stands as one of the most prominent figures within this movement, alongside icons such as Nujabes and DJ Krush, whose influence resonates globally. His 2008 debut Humming Jazz earned a nomination from Billboard JAPAN in the jazz category, and subsequent releases—LIFE, Illuminus, Jazzy Folklore, Sincerely…, and 2022’s empath—have continued to connect deeply with audiences at home and abroad.

A similar sensibility can be found within Taiwan’s musical landscape. Soft Lipa’s 2010 album Moonlight, created in collaboration with jazz band JABBERLOOP, is widely regarded as a landmark in the history of Mandarin rap. If that record holds a special place for you, Nishihara’s live performance is not to be missed.

One of the most striking highlights of this tour is vocalist Michael Kaneko. Raised in Southern California, this Japanese musician embodies a musical lineage where Californian sunshine meets Tokyo’s urban subtlety. Since releasing his debut album in 2015, Kaneko has produced four full-length records, collaborated with Taiwanese singer-songwriter 洪佩瑜 on Hi! I’m Back (2022), and released the single Blur with Yokkorio in 2025. His warm, magnetic, and silky soul-inflected voice has made him a sought-after collaborator in Japan’s contemporary crossover scene.

The ensemble led by Nishihara brings together saxophonist Daisuke and trumpeter Makoto of JABBERLOOP—fresh off their November performance at Billboard Live TAIPEI—alongside drummer Ken Takahashi and vocalist Michael Kaneko.

OJAZ Tour in Taipei is more than a concert: it is a cross-border jazz-hip-hop experience, meticulously curated by Kenichiro Nishihara, soon to unfold across the Taipei night.