Post 512: MAKIKO TAMURA AT THE TOP

Many of us have enjoyed over recent years the videos uploaded to YouTube by ragtimecave. This gentleman has recorded the wonderful jazz scene in Japan, where so many fine young players have come through the system of jazz bands in high schools and jazz at university.

One particular young star whose rapid progress we have followed with immense pleasure has been the clarinet player Makiko Tamura. She has appeared in dozens of videos with various combinations of fellow musicians.

Her playing has always been tasteful and technically very good. But I think that in 2017 Makiko Tamura has emerged as a big star, with leadership qualities as well as immense talent.

Have a look at the video filmed in Tokyo on 20 May, 2017, in which she plays After You've Gone. I find myself responding with tears of joy to what I am hearing. What a privilege it is for me to have lived long enough to hear this young musician playing so brilliantly.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT.
And the other members of the band are very good too.

Tamura begins by playing the song (including the Verse) right through at a gentle pace. Then she doubles the tempo and plays three increasingly storming Choruses with immense fluency. Later, after fine contributions from other members of the band, she returns to trade fours with the banjo player. There is a thrilling ensemble Chorus to bring the piece to an end.

You can also enjoy a thrilling performance of Clarinet Marmalade by Makiko Tamura sitting in with The Shotgun Jazz Band when she visited New Orleans in October 2017:
CLICK HERE.

I hope you enjoy the performances as much as I have.

Post 502: 'PANAMA' IN JAPAN

Today I would like to recommend to you a video of a band playing that old favourite Panama.

You can watch it here (click on):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1oxk0_mxBg

Why do I like this particular video?

1. Because is was filmed by that fine recorder of the Japanese jazz scene codenamed ragtimecave. He succeeds in getting super close-ups of musicians and he also achieves videos of high sound quality.

2. Because it demonstrates yet again what a terrific traditional jazz scene there is in Japan; and how well the Japanese succeed in bringing on young players.

3. Because this is in many ways an exemplary performance of Panama. Note the teamwork and also the well-judged but not-too-loud driving power of the rhythm players.

It could be argued that this performance goes on for too long. Was it really necessary for every member of the seven-piece band to take solo choruses on the final theme? Perhaps not. But I will grant them that little self-indulgence in a performance of such creativity and energy.

By the way, Panama Rag (originally entitled Panama, A Characteristic Novelty) is a standard in the repertoire of traditional jazz bands. It dates back almost 110 years, having been written by William H. Tyers in 1911. Tyers, born in Virginia, the son of former slaves, lived from 1870 to 1924. The piece of music possibly has nothing to do with the country Panama or the Panama Canal which was under construction at the time: it is said by at least one source to have been named in honour of Aida Overton Walker and Her Panama Girls - a music hall act. Whatever the truth, it is a great number and can sound good no matter at what tempo you take it. It can be strenuous to play, especially for the trumpeter, as there are five themes - all of which are usually repeated.