Fans of the best-selling author Haruki Murakami are probably aware of the writer's obsession with music, especially jazz, based on how much the protagonists in his stories talk about music and jazz. Murakami actually managed a jazz bar called 'Peter Cat' before striking out as a writer fairly late in the day. These days, Murakami has found a way to stay in touch with his first love by hosting a radio show on Tokyo FM a few times a year called 'Murakami Radio'. Murakami selects some of his favourite jazz pieces to share with his listeners, centered around themes like 'Tonight is Analog Night!' and 'Love is a Roller Coaster'.
To celebrate 40 years of writing, Murakami Radio is hosting a special broadcast this June 26 (starting from 6.30pm) where the author has invited some of his very talented close friends, including jazz pianist Junko Onishi, saxophonist Kosuke Mine and trombonist Shigeharu Mukai, to come on as special guests. Murakami is also asking his fans to tell him their favourite excerpts from his works and he'll be reading a selection live on the show.
150 lucky lottery winners will be invited to attend the live broadcast. If you want to enter, just fill out an application form here (in Japanese). Winners will be announced June 12 at midnight and then mailed a winning postcard. The odds might be long, but worth a shot to see the novelist icon in person plus some of the best jazz musicians in Japan.