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My Journal / Apr-Jun 2005
Nagaoka Charity Concert - Hokkaido Tour |
 It's summertime again! and surely as the hot days and nights makes us break into a good sweat, the more we get pumped up for the excitement of live music outdoors. The season is absolutely filled with music as it always is this time of year with many jazz festivals ahead. Much preparation is underway and I'm getting dizzy with busy (* * ) as of this writing. But it's a lot of fun and I can hardly wait.
The past few months had a variety of unforgettable moments. Last April, I was invited to sing for the Shimomaruko Jazz Club at the Ota Kumin Plaza. This place bear much nostalgia for me because I used to live very close to this area , where I use to enjoy long leisurely walks and bike rides right by the Tama River. The audience warmed up to me when I mentioned this. They also had a great time grooving and dancing while Paulo Vargas gave just the right touch to the Latin rhythms we played. They haven't had this much excitement in a while so I was told....
In the beginning of May, I had a wonderful opportunity to perform in Nagaoka for the victims of the earthquake disaster. Upon arrival that afternoon, I learned about the many generous offers in the past year from performers all over the country to help give cheer to the people. Too many that they began to feel weary of attending yet another concert.
It then came as a surprise to the organizers that our expected audience of 300 swelled to 450, the timing was just right! this huge turnout made this concert a success in itself.
I performed with my regular trio Manabu Ohishi (p), Shinichi Satoh (b) and Junji Hirose (ds), we gave them the best we could. In return, the warm cheer and applause from the audience kept our energy going from the beginning till end. I was totally moved by such display of sincere emotion, and it felt so uplifting. I sang for them with all my heart and knew I can't go wrong. Music knows no walls and has such great strength capable to reach out and touch.
In our program we included a local big band orchestra called the “Blue Note” and with shared efforts we happily performed together for the finale. This gesture not only gave the concert a great sense of togetherness, it also helped send the message for everyone that life moves on so just get up and carry on.
A very similar phenomenon happened the following day at the jazz club Cocktail Kubota, a much smaller venue but packed to the full. The room literally charged up with electric energy as soon as the music started. It never ceases to amaze me how humans respond when they naturally blend as one with the music, slowly building up, reaching great heights and beautifully exploding like fireworks. The feeling always leaves both performer and audience a great sense of warmth and satisfaction. Simply put, love is music and it is the language of the soul and thus communicating we can exchange feelings of love and hope for life. At the end of the show, I cheered my audience “Go Nagaoka! Go !”
 One of the hightlights for me in May was a live concert recording at the NHK-FM “Session 505”. I presented music from my latest CD “Non-Stop to Brazil” with hopes to bring LIVE for the first time on air the magic of this great album. To do this, I formed a super special band composed of my favorite musicians Manabu Ohishi (kb), Paulo Gomes (p) , Koichi Osamu (b), Kazuhiko Obata (g), Masahiro Fujioka (sax), Francis Silva (per) and Paulo Vargas (ds) WITH a great string ensemble led by Hiroko Yanagawa (vln) together with Nagisa Kiriyama (vln), Akatsuki Takahashi (vln), Keiko Shiga (vln), Yukiko Fukaya (vla), Yoshihiko Maeda (vc).
From traditional-flavored Brazilian groove, laid-back and cool Bossa Nova with richly constructed string harmonies to funky Afro Latin rhythms, the result exceeded my expectations, we sounded great! Plus, the whole studio filled up with many people standing at the back. Everybody had a great time.
 In mid May, I had the chance to travel to San Francisco where I visited my niece's newly opened sports bar called the “Historic 7 Mile House”. Established more than a hundred years ago, it served as a coach stop that brought tourists, a local watering hole and center for activity for residents.
One can immerse himself with it's inside decor by viewing photographs of historic sports icons as well as interesting antiques and memorabilia. Now a modern day sports bar, they also offer live entertainment featuring a jazz band on Fridays and a country blues/rock band on Saturdays.
I was asked to sing both nights that weekend and my niece played percussion using the cajon, she used to be drummer for an all girl group. Both bands sounded great, they must have played the whole night because they really had short breaks. Tough but they were happy.
 One of my most awaited gig was for the Swing Journal Jazz Disc Award (Vocal Award) Celebration Live last June which was held at Sweet Basil. I had the pleasure of performing once again with most of the same members at the NHK Session. Nothing equals the show's atmosphere when the venue provides just the right touch and ambiance. The stage easily filled up with 11 musicians including myself. What a luxury indeed not only listen to rich sounds but also watch brilliant musicians play! The result was purely magical.
The songs came alive one by one and it always gives me great pleasure to watch the audience faces' light up with joy. Such interaction is the award that makes me the happiest. My sincerest thanks to so many who came to celebrate with me that night and to all my friends for your continued support.
This award has indeed left a mark on my career and I will cherish it forever.
A few days later, I enjoyed the experience of playing with Ivan Paduart (p), Philippe Aerts (b) and Franck Agulhon (ds). Ivan is from Belgium and the two others from France. It was an exciting moment for me to have the chance to play with European musicians. This band was fantastic and the tunes they played were mostly originals and were very lyrical, which I found deeply moving. I loved singing with them.
In mid June, I went off to Hokkaido, a lovely place to visit this time of the year. The food was just delightful and I had so much fun. For this tour, I put together a special band with Junichiro Okuchi (p), Kazuhiko Obata (g) and Paulo Vargas (ds). We played first at Yumeria Hall in Shin Totsukawa then smaller venues at Miyakoshi Coffee in Sapporo and Evans in Asahikawa. I have to say all the audiences are delightful and supportive of the music. I also played at Jazz Fool in Kitami, a power packed venue and is definitely one of my favorites places to perform. It's always like a coming home and the audience are family.
They not only support, they appreciate, cheer and groove to the music. The night seems endless for this truly wonderful audience. Our last stop was at the Abashiri Central Hotel in Abashiri, it's my second time here. The sudience were very warm and welcoming. They don't get that much chance to see live shows around here much less hear jazz so it was indeed surprising to see such a good turnout. After the show, we were treated to a sumptuous feast of seafood. It seemed very apt to end the tour here. I really hope to come and bring my music this remote but beautiful place again. We all went home musically and spiritually satisfied. I want to thank the organizers and all the staff for their great efforts in making this tour a success..
There will be many big events for me this summer so please check my schedule!!! I am getting very excited about the upcoming “Tokyo JAZZ 2005”. I will be one of several jazz artists performing and as far as I know I am the only female vocalist that will be there. I do hope to do a good job with my super band and I look forward to sharing the stage with such jazz greats as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller and of course Ivan Lins!
Have fun and hope to see you in the sun!
Charito
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