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My Journal / Jul-Sep 2003
Summer Jazz Festivals, NHK “Session 505” |
 I get a kick out of summer jazz fests, these outdoor performances simply gives me the thrill singing and swinging out in the open. I had a wonderful opportunity to play with Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band at Asahi Jazz Festival '03 held at Yokohama Kodomo Shizen Koen on July 27. It was truly one of those unforgettable experiences when you feel so much excitement in your bones. Our band consisted of well chosen players who were just brilliant. Kenichi Tsunoda's music arrangements brought in a wide array of interesting textures, tempos and rhythms and they were fantastic. The big sounds lifted my spirits, it felt like singing while I soared all over the place. The lineup of musicians were fascinating ranging from dixie and traditional swing to present time jazz. I saw several familiar faces who I normally would never have a chance to bump into with the likes of Eiji Kitamura, Masaru Imada and Shigeharu Mukai. Starting from early afternoon, the festival also featured amateur bands. What an exciting evening of music! Such fun!
 At the beginning of August, I had the extreme pleasure of singing at the Kutchan Jazz Festival 2003. One of the most beautiful venues for any festival, Kutchan in Hokkaido with it's breathtaking sights is truly a natural wonderland. This time I played with my own group, Manabu Oishi on piano, Gregg Lee on bass, and for the first time Dairiki Hara on drums. We had some rains that day but we got lucky because it cleared right on time when we started to play. Mt. Yotei, a beautiful almost perfect volcano provided a dramatic backdrop for the stage. Needless to say, great music happened naturally. I enjoyed every minute of it. This area is where Niseko is, Japan's oldest ski resort famed for it's powder snow. The village is completely geared towards skiing, I definitely want to come back during the winter season.
 After the show we headed right away to our next destination...another equally beautiful place, The Windsor Hotel in Toya. What makes a gig truly special and unforgettable? For the most part, I would say that the location definitely adds up to the flavor; where the scenery spices up the magic of making music. This hotel/venue is uniquely situated on a hilltop, its Swiss-like natural setting bestows breathtaking views of the mystical Lake Toya, distant mountains and the Pacific Ocean are truly magnificent. Unfortunately, we weren't very lucky that day as the whole place was covered in mist, another place to definitely come back to!
In September, I did a gig at RAG in Kyoto after several years blank with my regular unit. This is a live house, quite big on the jazz scene. But it is not only jazz--there is also the occasional rock, blues and even pop bands performing here. Quite an unpretentious place, very simple in decor, but it has such a nice sound system that can make one enjoy listening to live music. The following day we played at Mister Kelly's in Osaka, wonderful audience here, now enjoying frequent performances by top of the line artists from Tokyo. They just renovated the place and had a more distinguished jazz club feel than before. Junko Ochi, an up and coming funky jazz singer, came by and had a ball with us.
 My regular unit is my favorite and I would say the best, I am very proud to be working with them always. Manabu Oishi, my main guy on the piano continues to evolve, he is a master of his craft. Indeed, his presence inspires me to make my music grow in jazz harmony and sensibility. We recorded a live performance for NHK Session 505 last September 7. We were joined by Tomonao Hara as guest on trumpet, Gregg Lee was on bass and Cecil Monroe on drums. I was so happy to have so many guests and friends who came to see us. The place was fully packed, and more than half of the audience were on their feet. I was told by some friends later that the terrific performances and the truly amazing sound at the studio more than made up for the lack of seats. We were all very much inspired that day, the audience were exceptionally great, too!
Back on the road, I went on to do a series of shows, first in Kanazawa's Mokkiriya. With me were Oishi, Shinichi Sato on bass and just for this show we had Dairiki Hara on drums, who is such a lovable guy. His antics on stage are so inspiring and so much fun to watch! We all had a great time here. There's a lot of music activity in this castle town, where it's natural background of great beauty gives the city a relaxed feeling. One memorable gig I played here years ago, was inside the Noh Gakudo, where usually no females are allowed on stage. That was quite an experience in a unique setting for a jazz and bossa nova concert.
We then moved onto the Tokai area, at Intelsat (Kiramachi, Aichi Pref), Star Eyes (Nagoya) and VIEBO (Yokkaichi). Cecil Monroe switched places with Hara san, and every night was a new adventure with music. Each of us made new discoveries with new twists and turns while new and exciting things await the listener. I like that and enjoy how it opens my ears to new directions.
More new and exciting gigs are coming up ahead, hope you will enjoy them as we enjoy bringing them to you....
Charito
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