OCTOBER 2017 : Live shows by Samm Bennett and his various ensembles
Hello friends, Samm Bennett here, hope to see you at one or more of these upcoming shows!
TUE 10/10 : with Umezu Kazutoki and puppet master Yamamoto Yoshiya
at Space&Cafe ポレポレ坐 (Poreporeza), Nakano, Tokyo
(very close to Higashi Nakano stations of the Sobu/Chuo and Toei Oedo lines)
open 18:30 - start 19:00 - entry: ¥3000
(very close to Higashi Nakano stations of the Sobu/Chuo and Toei Oedo lines)
open 18:30 - start 19:00 - entry: ¥3000
As many of you know, I've been working for just shy of 30 years now with reeds player, master improvisor and all-around swell guy Umezu Kazutoki. It's always a great, great pleasure to make a joyful noise with him. This show, however, is a whole 'nuther thing, y'see, cause we'll be making the music for the INCREDIBLE puppet artist Yamamoto Yoshiya. His creations are spectacular, his masterful manipulation of his puppets is mesmerizing, and... well, all I can say is this is a very, very talented artist and his shows are truly magical. Umezu has worked with Yamamoto-san quite a bit, and I have been lucky enough so far two work with the two of them once before, in a performance that was just some HUGE fun! So, anyway, highly recommended, y'all.
Below: at-a-glance map to Space&Cafe ポレポレ坐 need more detail? Go to Google map
FRI 10/13 : on percussion with BANDA CHORO ELETRICO
at Praça Onze (Aoyama) Tokyo (near Omote-Sando station exit A3)
open 18:30 / start 19:30 (2 sets) - entry: ￥2800 + order
open 18:30 / start 19:30 (2 sets) - entry: ￥2800 + order
BANDA CHORO ELETRICO is a big, ecstatic and totally grooving Brazilian music unit led by bassist and composer extraordinaire Sawada Jyoji. The full membership clocks in at about, oh, 15 musicians or so, and includes brilliant flutist Ogata Mitsuru and slamming drummer Numa Noaya. (Numa-san and Sawada-san happen to be members of The Smoky Dose, and you might've heard us at some point doing more improvised groove-based stuff). But EVERYBODY in this band is killer, I ain't lying.
For me this band is a chance to get back to being a percussionist, adding spice and color to the musical proceedings with shakers, bells, bongos, woodblocks, whistles, rattles, scrapers and various other items, as well as the CUICA, which I love playing but outside of this format have little chance to! Anyway, if you are a fan of samba or choro or baiao-style groove, and if you are a fan of, say Hermeto Pascoal or Tom Zé, you will LOVE Banda Choro Eletrico. Check it out.
For me this band is a chance to get back to being a percussionist, adding spice and color to the musical proceedings with shakers, bells, bongos, woodblocks, whistles, rattles, scrapers and various other items, as well as the CUICA, which I love playing but outside of this format have little chance to! Anyway, if you are a fan of samba or choro or baiao-style groove, and if you are a fan of, say Hermeto Pascoal or Tom Zé, you will LOVE Banda Choro Eletrico. Check it out.
Below: at-a-glance map to Praça Onze - need more detail? Go to Google map
SAT OCT 14 : SOLO songs, followed by 井のHead
at Moonstomp, Koenji, Tokyo
open 19:00 / start 19:30 - entry: ¥1000 (includes 1 drink)
open 19:00 / start 19:30 - entry: ¥1000 (includes 1 drink)
I'll be doing a full set of my songs, brand new, old and in between, on the ol' 3-string geetar and whatnot. Following my solo set will be a set from the indefatigable 井のHead, with their goodtime, communal music vibe. Should be a fun night, and I'm looking forward to being back for the first time in several years at Moonstomp, a nice, friendly little venue. Come on out!
FB event page
Below: at-a-glance map to Moonstomp. Need more detail? Go to Google map
SUN 10/15 : KING CAKE BABY
w/ special guest Wataru Ohkuma!
at What The Dickens, Ebisu, Tokyo, Roob Bldg., 4th floor
music from 8-ish to 11-ish - entry: FREE!
music from 8-ish to 11-ish - entry: FREE!
Friends, come and get'cha New Orleans clock reset once again! Let that Mardis Gras sound come DOWN all around your eardrums! It's happening over at everyone's favorite English-style watering hole, What the Dickens in Ebisu! King Cake Baby brings you those Crescent City sounds you've been craving! We play tunes made famous by New Orleans luminaries like Professor Longhair, Dr. John, James Booker, Huey "Piano" Smith, the Meters and more, all with that second line flavor.
As ever, the dance floor awaits your kinetic presence, or, just nestle into one of the comfy chairs and listen awhile. NO OTHER BAND in this big ol' Tokyo town can bring you that deep New Orleans feel like King Cake Baby!
And, I am absolutely delighted to announce that we'll be joined by extra special guest member Wataru Ohkuma on clarinet. Some of you may know him from his fabulous band Cicala Mvta. Ohkuma is a great musical spirit, bursting with energy and melodic finesse. Don't miss this one!
As ever, the dance floor awaits your kinetic presence, or, just nestle into one of the comfy chairs and listen awhile. NO OTHER BAND in this big ol' Tokyo town can bring you that deep New Orleans feel like King Cake Baby!
And, I am absolutely delighted to announce that we'll be joined by extra special guest member Wataru Ohkuma on clarinet. Some of you may know him from his fabulous band Cicala Mvta. Ohkuma is a great musical spirit, bursting with energy and melodic finesse. Don't miss this one!
What the Dickens website
Below: at-a-glance map to What the Dickens. Need more detail? Go to Google map
SUN 10/22 : TRIO w/ Umezu Kazutoki and Uchihashi Kazuhisa
at Lady Jane, Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
open 19:00 / start 19:30 - entry: ¥3200 plus 1 drink
open 19:00 / start 19:30 - entry: ¥3200 plus 1 drink
Umezu Kazutoki (reeds) and Uchihashi Kazuhisa (guitar & daxophone) are two of the finest improvisors I know, and I've been working with both of them regularly for 25 years or so. But it is VERY rare to have the three of us making music together as a trio. I'm very much looking forward to this evening of exploratory sonic endeavor!
Below: at-a-glance map to Lady Jane. Need more detail? Go to Google map
