Seiko Launches New Project “Seiko Time & Jazz” and Opens Special Jazz Website

Seiko Group Corporation, led by Chairman, Group CEO and Group CCO Shinji Hattori and headquartered in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, has launched a new project, “Seiko Time & Jazz,” to mark the 10th anniversary of Seiko Summer Jazz Camp, and will open a dedicated website. The site will feature a jazz beginner’s guide, “First-Time Jazz,” offering an accessible entry point for people discovering jazz for the first time or returning to it after a long break. It will also share information on live performances in Japan and overseas as opportunities to experience the true appeal of jazz. Special site: https://www.seiko.co.jp/music/time_jazz/ According to a Seiko survey of 327 general consumers conducted on April 13-14, 2026, about 57% said they had “hardly ever listened to jazz” or “never listened to jazz.” At the same time, 49.8% said they would be interested in viewing a listening guide, indicating that one in two people would like to try jazz if there were a clear entry point. While people encounter jazz in daily settings such as background music in shops, cafes and bars at 33.3%, and on TV or radio at 33.0%, only 8.9% have experienced jazz at live houses or concerts. The results suggest that although jazz is present in everyday life, opportunities to spend time engaging deeply with its core appeal remain limited. Seiko sees music as “the art of time” and has continued initiatives to support the sustainable development of music culture, including jazz. The new “Seiko Time & Jazz” project aims to open an entry point where sounds encountered casually in daily life can lead to unforgettable experiences. Building on Seiko’s previous efforts, the project will deliver live information, concert reports, profiles of notable players, featured songs and other content from multiple angles, creating an environment where anyone can approach jazz at their own pace. The special website will serve as the project’s central platform. When users turn on the sound button on the screen, the original piece “Seiko Time” will play, inviting them into the world of jazz. The site will gradually release a variety of content, including the “First-Time Jazz” listening guide. The guide offers recommendations by mood and scene, introduces a first track to begin with, and explains how to enjoy live performances, helping connect online discovery to in-person concert experiences. Guide URL: https://www.seiko.co.jp/music/time_jazz/guide/00001.html Seiko Summer Jazz Camp is a five-day program taught by world-class jazz musicians. Participants learn performance techniques and theory, as well as how to enjoy jazz and engage with music. Launched in 2016, the program marks its 10th anniversary this year. About 320 students have participated to date, around 80 of whom are now active professionals, including alumni performing in the United States, the home of jazz. The 2026 camp will be held from Monday, August 10 to Friday, August 14. As part of “Seiko Time & Jazz,” Seiko plans numerous performances and programs in Japan and overseas. In July 2026, the schedule will begin with concerts in the United States, in Michigan and New York, followed by “Seiko Summer Jazz Camp All Stars,” special live performances by the camp’s instructors at major venues in Japan. The New York performance on Thursday, July 30 will feature both instructors and alumni active overseas, presenting the current jazz scene fostered by the camp. Video footage of the New York performance is scheduled to be released at a later date. The main jazz camp will run from August 10 to 14, followed by the Seiko Summer Jazz Camp 10th Anniversary Special Concert on Sunday, August 16 at I’M A SHOW in Yurakucho, Tokyo. This special anniversary concert will feature performances by instructors and alumni. Details including performers, start times and ticket information will be announced on the special website as they are finalized.