Blues News from Japan




February, 2000

JAMMIN' IN JAPAN

The 6th Annual Park Tower Blues Festival was held on December 10, 11 & 13, and was a lot of fun. Roy Gaines played all three nights with different guest guitarists on each night. The most enjoyable jam came on the last night when he played with Japan's favorite Mitsuyoshi Azuma. (of The Swingin' Boppers fame) These two guitarists have many things in common. Both of them have their music rooted in Texas Jump style blues, and they both show similar kind of humorous characters on stage. Crowd applauded with enthusiasm when the two exchanged hot solos on "Okie Dokie Stomp." After the show has over, they went into a studio together to cut an album for P-Vine Records. That should be out in a few months. Other artists at the Fest all showed their unique talents, and were all enjoyable. Especially, the headliner, Bobby Rush was simply a knock out. Very, very entertaining with two very sexy dancers making the crowd go wild. I had a pleasure to interview Bobby, and was pleasantly surprised to find that he was such a nice, humble gentleman.

Guitar Shorty & Smokey Wilson played at Sweet Basil 139 for three nights (December 20, 21 & 23), and that was also good. Smokey seemed to be in a very good shape, and his guitar solos were sharp, and right in the groove. Shorty was great & active as usual. On the night I went to see the show, they played for over three hours including an encore that lasted for about 30 minutes where they shared the stage together. Very long, but was a lot of fun.

A charity event named the Rainbow Children's 1st Annual Blues Gala will take place on February 6 at the On Air East. It will be a live show featuring many blues artist including Jimmy Dawkins, Jimmy Burns, Eddie Burns, Calvin Edwards, Nat Dove, Hi Tide Harris, Taro Senga, Yuka & Hot Brothers, and more. The event is organized by E.A. Stauffer, the editor and publisher of the Blues Alive Magazine, and also the owner of Kiki's Pub in Toranomon, Tokyo.

The dates for the Japan Blues Carnival this year will be May 27 & 28 in Tokyo and 21 in Osaka. The headliner will be Buddy Guy, and other artists on the bill include the young guitarist Shannon Curfman, and Carl Weathersby. It will also feature Shun Kikuta, a Chicago-based Japanese guitarist. He is now preparing a new album with Nellie "Tiger" Travis on vocals and it will be released from Pony Canyon Records in May. Also in May, Dr. John will be in Tokyo to play at the Blue Note.

A new band named the Blues File has their debut album out. ("Blue File No. 1") Though the band is new, the members are well known veterans in Japan. The core members are Weepin' Harp Senoh (ex-Roller Coaster) on harp, Tetsuo Nishihama (ex-Trans Am) on guitar, and Toshikatsu Utsumi (ex-Carol) on guitar. The issue No. 19 of Blues Market magazine features a good interview article on these three gentlemen.

Singer, Donto, died of brain hemorrhage on January 28 in Hawaii where he was staying for vacation. He was only 37. Donto is known for his role as a lead singer of the band Bo Gumbos, which had roots deeply in the New Orleans R&B. 'Bo' of the band's name was taken from Bo Diddley, who was a great influence on Donto and the band. Bo Diddley was a featureed guest on their first album. The fans will miss Donto.
(2/5/99)



Roy Gaines & Mitsuyoshi Azuma








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