Bobby West, jazz pianist, international performer, and composer, has split his professional career between Los Angeles, California and since 1993, living and performing abroad. He has successfully managed a transition to have residence and perform in Asia, the Middle East and Europe over the last 30 years. He is currently residing in Taiwan and playing in a variety of jazz clubs in the capital of Taipei, including the Blue Note Taipei and Yuppy's Bookstore.

His debut release Leimert Park After Dark (Soulville Sound Recordings, 2021) is a reflection and reminder of the unique 1 square mile of blocks in West L.A. known as Leimert Park, creating an oasis from the gritty, tough urban world surrounding this neighborhood. This African-American cultural epicenter is both a physical location, rooted memory anchor for Bobby West and a force for the arts, performers, teachers, creative expression and social connection, bringing hope to this community. West, in fact, might have been a teacher in the Leimert Park area, but his gift was playing and performing jazz. AAJ caught up with West as he finishes his performance schedule in Taiwan, before returning to Los Angeles.

All About Jazz: As you have performed abroad for nearly 30 years, in Asia, the Middle East and Europe—can you talk about the international jazz audience in Asia?

Bobby West: From 2006 to early 2008 I was performing at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo. It was a marvelous stay for about two plus years and I just loved Tokyo. And I was just amazed—in my humble opinion the greatest jazz audience in the world are Japanese.... just extraordinary man. The only audience that rivals them is New York City. They are things about Tokyo that absolutely put New York City to shame. Kind of mind blowing, as I worked six days a week. High rollers from all over would come to stay at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo—Cigar Bar—to really experience it you need to be there a while, to really absorb what's happening—with their society. There's a thing they have there called "jazz mania"—anything they get themselves into, it's like one-hundred and ten percent. There are factions there that are into American soul music, hip-hop— whatever the music—they are fanatical about it. It represents about 0.02 percent of the population. But when they are into it, it's all in. They have hip hop clubs for instance, and you walk into these places and you would think you're in Brooklyn.

When it comes down to jazz, they are so knowledgeable, they are well-read on it, they've studied it, there are second and third generation "jazz maniacs." Even though it only applies to a small fraction of the population, these people are so serious.

AAJ: The Blue Note jazz club in Tokyo is so famous and historical, what recollections do you have of performances and performers?

BW: On my days off, I don't care who came to the Blue Note in Tokyo -