My busiest month so far this year in terms of music, not for the number of shows or musical events I went to but the fact that two of my all-time favorite musical groups were in town at the same time, during the same weekend. And I absolutely loved it.
Toshiko Akiyoshi and Monday Michiru @ Blue Note Tokyo
Rasmus Faber Presents the Platina Jazz Orchestra @ Billboard Live Tokyo
David Sanborn @ Blue Note Tokyo
Greetings from Tim Buckley, a film, @ Human Trust Cinemas Shibuya
Maia Hirasawa @ Daikanyama Loop
Monica Z, a film, @ Broadmedia Studio
The Bob Mintzer Big Band featuring New York Voices @ Blue Note Tokyo
The Manhattan Transfer @ Mozart Hall, Katsushika Symphony Hills
The Manhattan Transfer @ Billboard Live Tokyo
Gyze @ dues Shinjuku/Disk Union, an in-store event
Gyze @ On Air West
Jill Decoy Association @ Tower Records Shibuya, an in-store event
It was very sad that this was the first time the Manhattan Transfer, my all-time idols, performed in Japan after the rather unexpected passing of the vocal group’s founder Tim Hauser on October 16, 2014. It will never be the same w/o him but apparently the group will be making more new music in the future which for a fan is great news.
Here is a long but very funny footage from the 31st Grammy Awards show. Funny mostly due to the host Billy Crystal opening the show following which there is a fine live performance from the Manhattan Transfer featuring Tim. Then another funny footage created by Bobby McFerrin and Billy Crystal. I remember watching this in real time on TV.
A blog by Ayako Mathies 