DEAR MR. MURAKAMI,
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Last year, I tried making a ritual of reading before going to sleep. The goal to reduce screen time and get my mind immersed in a story.
Honestly, the evening practice hasn't held up well but I managed to read two books. Both of which were penned by the famously, reclusive acclaimed writer Haruki Murakami..
Curious about the man behind works "Kafka on the Shore" to "Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman", I found an interesting essay Murakami published in the New York Times mid-2007 named" Jazz Messenger".
In it he describes his first encounter with Jazz music hearing Art Barkley and company at the youthful age of 15.
From that experience, the rest is as they say, history. Owning a Jazz Bar to eventually having the epiphany at a baseball game of writing his first book, set Murakami on the path of sharing his writing style with the world.
Revered for interweaving his perennial love for jazz, cats, strong female characters and fascination with fate/prophecy turning into reality, I've only just become a fan of his literature. Yet if given the opportunity, I would ask him..
What comes to your mind listening to "Moanin'" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers?
The NY Times article referenced
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