6-76 Sumiyoshi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama. (045)662-5357.
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http://www.yokohama-kamome.com
Two sets from 8 weekdays, 7 weekends. 7 days a week. Cover charge from 2,500 to 3,500 yen.
Kannai Station, Yokohama. From Kannai Station, take the North exit and walk back along the tracks towards Sakuragicho Station. Turn right (towards the harbor) on the first big street. Walk down three or four streets to the large cross street and turn left. It’s about 200 meters from there on the left-hand side. It’s fairly easy to find and the homepage has a clear map.
Kamome is what a jazz club should be! It is comforting just walking into Kamome, one of the more recent clubs set up in the Tokyo-Yokohama area. Big sofas, relaxing chairs and comfortable stools are set spaciously enough to actually cross your legs and let your elbows loose. Well-designed and easy to just be in, Kamome clearly knew it had to do something special to compete with the well-established clubs in the area. The owner went out of his way to add special touches.
The food is exceptionally good here, with a mixture of cuisines and fresh ingredients. It is hearty fare, but with good selection. Pizza, pasta, tonkatsu, salad, curry rice, quiche and real cheese fill the menu out deliciously. Being able to order a nice glass, or bottle, of good wine is a relief after the standard-issue beer and whisky of most jazz clubs. Other drinks and nibblies are also first-rate, and the time and effort spent in thinking and preparing is not wasted on the customers who are a mix of jazz maniacs and people out to enjoy themselves.
The sound system is excellent, so that wherever you sit, you can hear and hear well. The acoustics of the room are just right and the speakers mixed with balance and accuracy, as well as a feeling for the performers’ individual sound. You do not need to strain to hear but are not overwhelmed by the loudness either. The atmosphere is comfortable enough to say something to the person with you, but serious enough that you would not want to disturb other listeners. Most people, though, slide deeply into the music.
The groups who play here are among the very best in Tokyo and Yokohama. Many club owners elsewhere might be surprised to see the line-up. Lots of younger performers lend special vibrancy as do established players trying out a new ensemble. You will not go wrong dropping in any night of the week. The club has less of a jam session feel and much more of a performance. That could be a fault, as some clubs become a bit uptight with that over-pro attitude, but Kamome keeps a loose, comfortable vibe. Relaxed enough to let the musicians really play, but formal enough to demand high quality stage-man-ship, the balance comes out just right.
