As a part of the Japan Festival 2001, there will be a performance by the Koichi OSAMU Trio lead by Koichi OSAMU on Friday, 26 October 2001 at 19h00 (BMW Pavilion, CPT) and Sunday, 28 October 2001 at 15h00 (The Laboratory, Market Theatre, Jhb).
The Koichi Osamu Trio includes Koichi OSAMU (bass), Makoto AOYAGI (piano) and Masaharu ISHIKAWA (drums). Koichi OSAMU was the winner of the Barkley Edith Gomez Award in 1985 and 1986. He is currently the busiest and most sought after bass player for studio and live performances in Japan. He also composes and arranges jazz. Makoto AOYAGI's career flourished as a pianist, a sound producer, composer and arranger after releasing 6 albums with "Naniwa Express" between 1981 and 1986. Since 1999, he has released two solo albums, "Triframe" and "April in Paris" and performed in his own band, "J-Trash".
Jazz in Japan can be dated as far back as the Taisho era (about 100 years ago) when American sailors played the New Orleans style jazz in Yokohama and Kobe. However, Japanese jazz had come into being in the 1950s and gained increasing popularity by the 1970s in the form of fusion jazz. The following statement made by Makoto AOYAGI describes the influence of jazz on Japanese society:
"Japanese musicians first started copying American jazz, but now we have created our own style, which has become the soul of Japan".
The Japan Festival is presented by the Embassy of Japan, Nippon Club (Japanese Society), Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industries SA and the Japan Foundation.
For further information, please contact Mr Yamada at the Embassy of Japan, tel. (012) 342-2100 or e-mail: .
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