> "Gerry" <222ggg@adelphia.net.invalid> wrote in message
> news:161020031753367133%222ggg@adelphia.net.invalid...
> > Crazy, huh?  Well if Bush's economic recovery gets much better I may be
> > searching another career, or a pleasant low-income retirement.
> >
> > Assume I'm a more than capable Gaijin jazz player.  I want to move to
> > Osaka or Hakata or Kobe and play jazz professionally.  Make enough to
> > pay the bills.

Even though you're very talented, you'll face stiff competition from
very talented local musicians.  Most jazz street performers are as
good as those I've seen/heard in San Francisco clubs.  Many of these
guys started out in classical music in grade school then switched for
some reason.  And they practice like crazy.  So they have the
technique down pat.  Their only weakness, I think, is vocals.  For
some strange reason, they all seem to want to sing in English with
their Japanese accent. Even when the accent is slight it still hurts
my ears! I'd rather hear enka.  So don't go to a Ella Fitzgeral
tribute.  But if they try to do Chick Corea's Spain, the result is
superb.

Anyway back to your problem.  You'd have the same problems as in the
U.S. with the added complication of language.  You'll have to
establish yourself and make the necessary contacts.  Then you'll have
to build your audience so that you're in demand.

As far as the legal problems, you probably could get the necessary
work permit by teaching English in your spare time for one of those
English schools.

W.