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Hikashu Christmas Concert 2014 @ Daikanyama Unit, Tokyo on December 23

Since 2008, Hikashu has been holding concert series late December every year. Now it becomes a kind of ritual where fans throughout the country come to attend.

It draws crowd and it's understandable because a lot of bright moments happened there. For example, last year the Plastics appeared. They did a full set, 90 minutes with an encore, and their performance was utterly impressive. And this year's event also has a special guest; Togawa Jun.

Togawa Jun

In 1980, Togawa came to the scene as a vocalist of Guernica, a group led by a noted composer and keyboard player Ueno Koji. Her presence was outstanding, and she became one of the representative chanteuses of Japanese new wave movement, along with Phew (of Aunt Sally) and Ogawa Mishio (of Chakra).

Actually, Hikashu and Guernica used to mingle. In fact, both Ueno and Togawa have participated in recording sessions of Hikashu. Unfortunately, Guernica ceased to exist in 1982 and Togawa went solo. (There was a short reunion in late 80s.)

This year's event is special because this is the first time for Hikashu and Togawa performing together in public since 1982. 32 years ago! There was a double-bill concert of Hikashu and Guernica at Studio Alta, Shinjuku, Tokyo on December 31, 1982 so that is the last time, until now.

Studio Alta is located at the 7th floor of

 a shopping mall called Shinjuku Alta built in 1980, still in operation

There is one more important thing about the Shinjuku Alta concert for Hikashu's history because it is the first gig ever bass player Sakaide Masami performing in the band. Since then, he's been with them.

Sakaide Masami

 jurgenlehletc.jp

Regarding this year's concert, there are other notable guests. Okuma Wataru is a clarinet player who's also the leader of an ensemble called Cicara-Mvta.

Tatsumi Kogoro is a trumpeter who has played with Shibusashirazu Orchestra and others.

Hayashi is a guitarist-vocalist of an electro-pop band Polysics.

Moreover, there is a DJ set by Nanawo.


This year's event is billed as "Hikashu's Christmas Expedition of the Terra Incognita." Surely it sounds like a pretty exotic and exciting place to be. Let's join the ride.



"Hikashu's Christmas Expedition of the Terra Incognita"
December 23, 2014
@ Daikanyama Unit
Daikanyama, Tokyo
guest: Togawa Jun (vocals), Okuma Wataru (clarinet), Tatsumi Kogoro (trumpet), Hayashi (guitar, vocals), Nanawo (DJ)
open 17:30 - start 18:30
4,000 yen
ticket available at Ticket Pia, Lawson Ticket, eplus, ganban


Unit, Daikanyama, Tokyo

The Peggies invite Hikashu

 The Peggies

On December 4, Hikashu will perform at WWW in Shibuya, Tokyo. They are invited to play, as a guest, at a gig of the Peggies, a girls band just released their first album.


December 4, 2014
@ WWW
Shibuya, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 2,500 yen - at door 3,000 yen
ticket available at Lawson Ticket, and eplus

WWW, Shibuya, Tokyo

A New album is coming

#Hikashu and #MakigamiKoichi are back in NYC and at #EastSideSound for their 19th album (3rd one with me at the helm) pic.twitter.com/popF5127o3
— Marc Urselli (@MarcUrselli) 2014, 11月 3

Shortly after the residencies at the Stone NYC, Hikashu went into a recording studio, Eastside Sound, and spent two days there to record an album with the engineer Marc Urselli.

They're still working on it. It will be released next spring, and its working title is "Ikitekoi Chinmoku," which means "Silence Be Alive."

During the gig at Star Pine's Cafe this week, the band premired two tunes from the yet-to-be-released album. Having heard that, we can tell that you can look forward to it. Stay tuned.

#Hikashu and #MakigamiKoichi hard at work on their 19th album pic.twitter.com/ETGnfyO6Jl
— Marc Urselli (@MarcUrselli) 2014, 11月 4

Bolot Bairyshev and Tandarai Japan Tour 2014

Hikashu and Bolot Bairyshev in Aital Republic, June 2014

Bolot Bairyshev and Tandarai, the incredible singers from Altai Republic, will come to Japan in October and the tour includes a date with Hikashu. The dates are as follows:

October 3 - Public viewing of the Hikashu's Altai tour video, Shinjuku, Tokyo
October 4 - Sakuraza, Kofu (with Hikashu)
October 5 - Yugawara Kanko Kaikan, Yugawara, Kanagawa
October 7 - Seto Yashiki, Kaisei-machi, Kanagawa
October 9 - Za Koenji Two, Koenji, Tokyo

Bolot and Hikashu have performed together in Altai, so they know well each other and blend well. Actually they are interesting mix.

And Tandarai. It was last year she performed in Japan for the first time, and quickly fascinated the audience. It was quite sensational. And she'll come to Japan again.

And as the first day of the tour, there will be a public viewing of the Hikashu's Russia Altai tour 2014 video. Hikashu and Bolot toured together in Altai this spring and it was so eventful: flood, snowstorm, show cancelled last minutes. Fortunately, they recorded video of the tour entirely and will hold an event about the tour where they reminisces the memorable tour with Bolot while screening the video.

Surely they'll be wonderful evenings.


October 3, 2014
Hikashu with Bolot Bairyshev
"Public viewing of the Hikashu's Russia Altai 2014 tour video"
@ Kyoouji
Shinjuku, Tokyo
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
for inquiries and reservations, contact to hikashufan_at-mark_gmail.com (replace _at-mark_ with @)
www.kyoouji.gr.jp

Kyoouji, Ushigome Yanagimachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo



October 4, 2014
"Hikashu, Bolot Bairyshev, and Tandarai"
@ Sakuraza
Kofu, Yamanashi
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,500 yen
www.sakuraza.jp

Sakuraza, Kofu, Yamanashi



October 5, 2014
"Bolot Bairyshev and Tandarai"
with Makigami Koichi, Sato Masaharu
@ Yugawara Kanko Kaikan
Yugawara, Kanagawa
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen

Yugawara Kanko Kaikan, Yugawara, Kanagawa



October 7, 2014
"Bolot Bairyshev and Tandarai"
with Makigami Koichi, Sato Masaharu
@ Ashigarikyo Seto Yashiki
Kaisei-machi, Kanagawa
open 18:00 - start 18:30
2,500 yen

Ashigarikyo Seto Yashiki, Kaisei-machi, Kanagawa



October 9, 2014
"Bolot Bairyshev and Tandarai"
with Makigami Koichi, Sato Masaharu, Karyiman (from Kyrgyzstan) and others
@ Za Koenji Two
Koenji, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 3,500 yen - at door 4,000 yen
student 2,000 yen (vaild student ID required)
tickets available at e+ or
Makigami Office at office_at-mark_makigami.com
(replace _at-mark_ with @)
za-koenji.jp

Za Koenji Two, Koenji, Tokyo

Gigs in October 2014

Hikashu in Altai Republic, June 2014

Needless to say that next month Hikashu plays in New York City, but asides that, there are some other dates as well. The details as follows:

October 2 - Moon, Aoyama, Tokyo (with Tokyo Nontroppo)
October 4 - Sakuraza, Kofu (with Bolot Bairyshev and Tandarai)
October 12 - Yokohama Jazz Promenade, Yokohama

As for a tour with Bolot Bairyshev and Tandarai from Altai Republic, we'll have a different entry about it.


October 2, 2014
@ Moonromantic
Aoyama, Tokyo
other act: Tokyo Nontroppo, Za Ningen
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 2,500 yen - at door 3,000 yen
(one drink order minimum)
www.moonromantic.com

Moonromantic, Aoyama, Tokyo



October 4, 2014
"Bolot Bairyshev, Tandarai, and Hikashu"
@ Sakuraza
Kofu, Yamanashi
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,500 yen
www.sakuraza.jp

Sakuraza, Kofu, Yamanashi



October 12, 2014
"Yokohama Jazz Promenade"
@ Kannai Hall
Yokohama
19:30 - 20:30
4,300 yen
jazzpro.jp/en.php

Kannai Hall, Yokohama

Godzilla Legend Live in Concert 2014

Right now Godzilla is back and has made quite a sensation all over the world.

This year is truly special - the 60th anniversary of the first movie, and the centennial of Ikukube Akira's birth. Mr. Ifukube is one of the greatest composer in post-WWII Japan and gave us a lot of beautiful music including the splendid soundtrack of the original Godzilla.

Naturally, there must be some commemorations.

Godzilla Legend is a solo project of Inoue Makoto. Inoue is a man of many faces - an original member of Hikashu, a devotee of Japanese kaiju movie, a diligent historian of Japanese underground theatre movement in 1960-70s, and the authority of the works by Ifukube Akira, who has been his esteem since childhood.

So Godzilla Legend is back as well. And the line-up is a killer. All the members of Hikashu is there. Two drums, three keyboards, a full horn section, and the charanpo sisters as cute little pixies. The concert of orchestral Godzilla Legend is the first time since mid 80s. This is a precious opportunity, and must be a beautiful evening. An absolute must-see.


Godzilla Legend Live in Concert 2014

September 24, 2014 - Club Quattro, Shibuya, Tokyo
September 25, 2014 - Club Quattro, Umeda, Osaka


cast:

Inoue Makoto - synthesizer
Makigami Koichi - vocal, theremin
Mita Freeman - guitar
Sakaide Masami - bass
Shimizu Kazuto - piano, keyboard
Sato Masaharu - drums
Yoshigaki Yasuhiro - drums
Tatsumi Kogoro - trumpet
Nakano Yasuhiro - trombone
Yoshida Ryuichi - baritone saxophone
Fukuda Hirohiko - keyboard
Koharu - button accordion, vocals
Momo - vocals

September 24, 2014
@ Club Quattro
Shibuya, Tokyo
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 5,000 yen

Club Quattro, Shibuya, Tokyo


September 25, 2014
@ Club Quattro
Umeda, Osaka
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 5,000 yen

Club Quattro, Umeda Osaka

John Zorn's Cobra Tokyo Operation on September 21, 2014

Shortly after the Nagoya operation, John Zorn's Cobra comes to Tokyo. The line-up is quite interesting - it has some veretan musicians and Hikashu's guitarist Mita Freeman is also there.


John Zorn's Cobra Tokyo Operation
"The Day of Ceasing Wars and Non-Violent" Special Unit

Naoe Satoshi - shortwave radio
Pearl Alexander - double bass
Komori Keiko - bass clarinet
Umezu Kazutoki - alto saxophone
Hayakawa Takeharu - bass guitar
Sokabe Kiyonori - trumpet
Ichiraku Toshiyuki - drums
Yamamoto Tatsuhisa - drums
Mita Freeman - guitar
Arima Sumiyoshi - keyboard, computer
Sakaguchi Mitsuo - keyboard

Makigami Koichi - prompter


September 21, 2014
"John Zorn's Cobra Tokyo Operation"
@ La Mama
Shibuya, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 3,000 yen
tickets available at LaMama boxoffice, eplus, and lawson ticket
La Mama Shibuya - Time Out Tokyo

LaMama, Shibuya, Tokyo

Gigs in September 2014

ヒカシュー、ボリショイ劇場で踊るの巻 http://t.co/qkdSOkRGlQ
— ヒカシュー (@HIKASHU) 2014, 8月 28

Hikashu at Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, June 2014.

This month Hikashu does a short tour of three cities, and a double-bill gig with Nakano Teruwo in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

In Osaka, they perform at a rock festival called Positive Neuroses. They are the last act of the three days event.


September 14 - Nagoya (not Hikashu gig - offshoot groups of the band members)
September 15 - Osaka
September 16 - Hamamatsu
September 19 - Ikebukuro, Tokyo


September 14, 2014
"Makigamisantachi and Aljansu"
@ Yozora Ni Hoshi No Aruyouni ["Stars in the Night Sky"]
Nagoya
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
www006.upp.so-net.ne.jp/yozoranihoshi/about/

Yozora Ni Hoshi No Aruyouni, Nagoya



September 15, 2014
"Positive Neurose"
@ Namba Rockets
Osaka
Hikashu's appearance - 20:05-21:05
1 day ticket adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
3 days ticket adv 8,000 yen - at door 8,500 yen (sold only at the official site)
Tickets available via eplus or Lawson ticket
positiveneurose.com

Namba Rockets, Osaka



September 16, 2014
@ Madowaku
Hamamatsu
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 3,500 yen - at door 4,000 yen
madowaku.com/

Madowaku, Hamamatsu



September 19, 2014
@ Ruido K3
Ikebukuro, Tokyo
Other act: Nakano Teruwo
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 3,800 yen - at door 4,400 yen
http://ruido.org/new/k3/

Ruido K3, Ikebukuro, Tokyo

John Zorn's Cobra Nagoya Operation on September 13, 2014

Nagoya is the third largest city pf Japan and there are some fine musicians in the place. This month some of them gather to perform a famous game piece by John Zorn, and they are all women. This is the first time all women's line-up playing the piece in Japan.

The unit leader Ono Ryoko is a saxophonist based in Nagoya. Besides her own activities, she is also known as a frequent collaborator of drummer Yoshida Tatsuya (Ruins, Painkiller). She has just released the first solo album of her own called Undine. Her web site is here.

Ono Ryoko

John Zorn's Cobra Nagoya Operation
Ono Ryoko Unit

Ono Ryoko - saxophone
Shiraki Sayaka - vocals
Saga Yuki - vocals
Kuzushima Ryoko - clarinet
Ishiwata Misaki - trumpet
Tarumoto Satomi - koto
Yamashita Mari - vibraphone
Miyazaki Rie - bass
Kogure Miwazou - Chin-don percussion
Emmy Kunocovic - drums

Makigami Koichi - prompter

September 12, 2014
"John Zorn's Cobra Nagoya Operation"
@ Tokuzo
Imaike, Nagoya
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 3,200 yen - at door 3,500 yen
tickets available at the venue or Lawson Ticket
www.tokuzo.com/english/

Tokuzo, Imaike, Nagoya

Ashigara Mirai Ongaku Festival 2014

Hikashu will perform at an event called Ashigara Mirai Ongaku Festival on August 23. This is the only public appearance of the band this month. Also Jim O'Rourke's new band Kafka Ibiki (Kafka Snore) is on the bill.

It's an outdoor event, held at a riverside location called Kaisei Mizube Sports Park where could be easily reached via train (about 1 hour ride from Shinjuku station on Odakyu line). You can enjoy Japanese-style fireworks after the gig. More than anything else, it's admission free.



Hikashu


Kafka Ibiki Special
Jim O'Rourke (guitar), Ishibashi Eiko (keyboard), Yamamoto Tatsuhisa (drums), Sudo Toshiaki (bass)





August 23, 2014
Ashigara Mirai Ongaku Festival 2014
@ Kaisei Mizube Sports Koen
Ashigarauegun, Kanagawa
17:15 - 19:00
admission free
www.kanagawaparks.com/kaiseimizube/
ashigarammf.web.fc2.com

Kaisei Mizube Sports Koen, Ashigarauegun, Kanagawa

大きな地図で見る

Hikashu with Mori Ikue at Aoyama, Tokyo, July 1, 2014

As usual, the band started improvising. Mori Ikue sat in throughout the set and her sound was very audible from the beginning.

After about ten minutes, sans any interruption, the performance was gradually segued into Digital Frankenstein. This is exactly the audience expected because Mori participated in the original studio recording of the song. It was quite extended because there was a lot of interplay in the bridge - the entire performance was over fifteen minutes.

The set lasted about an hour, and the bright electro fragments from Mori's laptop embellished the atmosphere overall. It was a splendid evening with imaginative music.

Makigami and Mori will play together again at the Stone NYC in October. They'll perform as Agra Dharma, the trio with pianist Sylvie Courvoisier.

The next Hikashu gig is on July 16 at Star Pine's Cafe in Kichijoji, Tokyo. It's the first full length gig since February so don't miss it. See here for detail.





Digital Frankenstein
words - makigami, music - sakaide

On a square LCD screen
All the voices are to be transformed
(transformed, transformed)

Digital Frankenstein

On my operation system
The head of the island is swelling
(swelling, swelling)

The body trembles

On a square LCD screen
All the voices are to be transformed
(transformed, transformed)

Digital Frankenstein

(instrumental)

Surfing the net
The shape of the sea shows that it lost itself
(it lost, it lost)

Getting drowned by a click

Sing the praises of digital technology

This song is made of bubble
(made of, made of)

Dazzlingly off the mark


The original Japanese lyrics follows;


Shikakui ekisho no
Sono koe no subete wo henkan suru
(henkan suru, henkan suru)

Digial na Franken

Watashi no OS no
Sono shima no atama ga fukurete iru
(fukurete irum fukurete iru)

Sanzameku sono karada

Shikakui ekisho no
Sono koe no subete wo henkan suru
(henkan suru, henkan suru)

Digial na Franken

(instrumental)

Netto wo oyoideru
Sono umi no katachi ga mayotte iru
(mayotte iru, mayotte iru)

Click de oborete ku

Utaou Digital wo

Kono uta wa abuku de dekite iru
(dekite iru, dekite iru)

Mekuru meku mato hazure

John Zorn's Cobra Tokyo Operation on July 20, 2014

John Zorn's Cobra is back to Tokyo.


John Zorn's Cobra Tokyo Operation
Intensive Summer Unit

Isobe Maiko - violin
Kita Yoichiro - trumpet
Keitaimo - bass
Sakamoto Hiromichi - cello
Sachi (Harineko) - vocal, keyboard
Takayashi Yasuyuki - trombone
Tabata Mitsuru - guitar
Togashi Hiroki - drums
Nakamura Hitomi - hichiriki
Janmah Shimamura - guitar

Makigami Koichi - prompter

July 20, 2014
John Zorn's Cobra Tokyo Operation
Intensive Summer Unit
@ La Mama
Shibuya, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 3,000 yen - at door 3,500 yen
(one drink order minimum)
tickets available at LaMama boxoffice, eplus, and lawson ticket
La Mama Shibuya - Time Out Tokyo

LaMama, Shibuya, Tokyo

Gigs in July 2014

Besides Fuji Rock Festival, Hikashu has two gigs in Tokyo next month. One is at Moonromantic in Aoyama on July 1 with guest Mori Ikue, and the other is at Star Pine's Cafe in Kichijoji on July 16.

For the Aoyama gig, there is other act, a band called Aragehonzi. Their style is interesting - western pop blended with traditional festive music of Japan.



Aragehonzi - Tokyo Native Time

And regarding the Star Pine's gig, Hikashu is a sole act, playing over two hours. A full length show for the first time since February. Recommended.


July 1, 2014
"Hikashu with Mori Ikue"
@ Moonromantic
Aoyama, Tokyo
other act: Aragehonzi
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 2,500 yen - at door 3,000 yen
Moonromantic website

Moonromantic, Aoyama, Tokyo



July 16, 2014
"Hikashu's Summer 2014"
@ Star Pine's Cafe
Kichijoji, Tokyo
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,900 yen - at door 4,300 yen
Star Pine's Cafe

Star Pine's Cafe, Kichijoji, Tokyo

Line-up of the Concert Series at the Stone NYC This Fall

As we've notified before, the Stone in New York City holds a weekly residence of Makigami Koichi this fall, and line-up of the event is just revealed at the venue's site.

THE STONE RESIDENCIES
MAKIGAMI KOICHI

OCT 28—NOV 2

10/28 Tuesday


8 pm
KOEDARAKE
Makigami Koichi (voice) Peter Evans (trumpet)


10 pm
TRIO
Makigami Koichi (voice, khomus) Bolot Bairyshev (altai epic, khomus) Cyro Baptista (percussion)




10/29 Wednesday


8 pm
Kuroyagi Shiroyagi
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin) Sakaide Masami (bass) Sato Masaharu (drums) Erik Friedlander (cello)


10 pm
Koroshi no blues Japanese old pop songs
Makigami Koichi (vocal) Mita Freeman (guitar) Sakaide Masami (bass) Shimizu Kazuto (piano, bass-clarinet) Sato Masaharu (drums)




10/30 Thursday


8 pm
Tokyo Taiga project
Bolot Bairyshev (throat singing) Sato Masaharu (percussion) Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin) Ned Rothenberg (sax)


10 pm
HIKASHU
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet) Mita Freeman (guitar) Sakaide Masami (bass) Shimizu Kazuto (piano, bass-clarinet) Sato Masaharu(drums)




10/31 Friday


8 pm
OUR YEARLY HALLOWEEN IMPROV NIGHT—A STONE BENEFIT
John Zorn (sax) Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin) Cyro Baptista (percussion) and many special guests
Come on down to our special improv party! These are the nights that raise the money to pay our expenses so come on down IN COSTUME and join our East Village rent party! TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS


10 pm
HIKASHU with guests
Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin, cornet) Mita Freeman (guitar) Sakaide Masami (bass) Shimizu Kazuto (piano, bass-clarinet) Sato Masaharu(drums) Ned Rothenberg (sax) Marc Ribot (guitar)




11/1 Saturday (DDT)


8 pm
Improv Trio
Sakaide Masami (bass) Randy Peterson (drums) Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin)



10 pm
Mita Freeman, Shimizu Kazuto, Kevin Norton, Makigami Koichi
Mita Freeman (guitar) Shimizu Kazuto (piano, bass-clarinet) Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin) Kevin Norton (vibes, percussion)




11/2 Sunday (DDT)


8 pm
Agra Darma
Ikue Mori (electronics) Makigami Koichi (vocal, theremin) Sylvie Courvoisier (piano)


10 pm
Makigami Koichi
Makigami Koichi (solo voice)


To put it mildly, this is utterly exciting. Don't miss it.

The Stone - calendar

Jazz Art Sengawa 2014

Jazz Art Sengawa, one of the most celebrated events for jazz and improvisation in Japan, is held on September 5-7 this year. The venue is Sengawa Theatre at Chofu, Tokyo. Its producers are Makigami Koichi, Sakamoto Hiromichi, and Fujiwara Kiyoto.



September 5, Friday


Art Parade

Opening Ceremony

An Evening of Improvised Music



September 6, Saturday


13:00-15:00
"eyes"

Ito Kimu (voice, dance)
Honaga Yoko (dance)
Sugadairo (piano)
Yamamoto Tatsuhisa (drums, electronics)
Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, musicalsaw, electronics)

directed by Sakamoto Hiromichi


16:30-18:00
"ears"

Senwara with Uchihashi Kazuhisa
Senwara - Rully Shabara (vocals), Wukir Suryadi (bambuwukir, bamboo flute)
Uchihashi Kazuhisa (guitar, daxophone)

Hikashu with Oki Itaru
Hikashu - Makigami Koichi (vocal, cornet, theremin), Mita Freeman (guitar), Sakaide Masami (bass), Shimizu Kazuto (piano, synthesizer, bass clarinet), Sato Masaharu (drums)
Oki Itaru (trumpet)

directed by Makigami Koichi


19:30-21:00
"nose"

Sakata Akira (saxophone)
Andrea Centazzo (drums, percussion)
Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass)

directed by Fujiwara Kiyoto



September 7, Sunday


13:30-15:00
"hands"

Hirata Yasuko (vocal)
Takenaka Shunji (guitar)
Ishii Akira (piano)
Yamasaki Hiroshi (drums)
Fujiwara Kiyoto (bass)
Soon kim (saxophone)
Kodo Kenkyukai (taiko drums)
Ino Nobuyoshi (bass)
Endo Sada (bass)
Kato Hisashi (bass)

directed by Fujiwara Kiyoto


16:30-18:00
"mouth"

Yanagiya Koharu (vocal, shamisen)
Pearl Alexander (bass)
Makigami Koichi (voice, theremin)

R.U.B. - Ned Rothenberg (saxophone, shakuhachi), Samm Bennett (drums, percussion), Uchihashi Kazuhisa (guitar, daxophone)

directed by Makigami Koichi


19:30-21:00
"legs"

Tomokawa Kazuki (vocal, guitar)
Yamamoto Seiichi (electric guitar)
Sakamoto Hiromichi (cello, musicalsaw, electronics)

Pet Bottle Ningen - Dave Scanlon (guitar), Yoshida Nonoko (saxophone), Dave Miller (drums)

directed by Sakamoto Hiromichi


Jazz Art Sengawa on YouTube







September 6-7, 2014
Jazz Art Sengawa
@ Sengawa Gekijo
Chofu, Tokyo

Sengawa Gekijo (Theatre), Chofu, Tokyo

The Russia Siberia Tour 2014 photo gallery

The tour has ended. The band has completed all the gigs as scheduled and now heading home.

The following photographs from the tour is provided by the band via SNS.

Gorno-Altaisk, the capitol of Altai Republic, was flooded. But the city is as usual. (May 30)

The sky of Ost-Kan was clear. (May 31)

Sato prepared a special set for the Ost-Kan gig. (June 1)

 The band visited a ranch. (June 2)

The Moscow 24 station introduces Hikashu and their gig at DOM.

From their site:

Есть уникальная японская группа "Хикасю", которая раз в год - полтора едет в тур через всю Россию, начиная с Дальнего Востока, в Москву и Петербург. Их очередной московский концерт состоится уже 4 июня.

There is a unique Japanese band "Hikashu" now on tour across Russia, starting from the Far East to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Their next concert in Moscow is on June 4.

Hikashu Free Improvisation Summit at Fuji Rock Festival 2014

This summer Hikashu performs at Fuji Rock Festival, the biggest musical event in Japan. Their appearance is the day two, July 26. This is the third time for them playing at the festival - they were there in 2011 and 2012.

And this time, as billed themselves as "Hikashu Free Improvisation Summit," they plan to do a special set, focusing on improvisation, with guest musicians, including veteran free-form reedman (and Jim O'Rourke's favorite) Sakata Akira. He's a frequent collaborator with Hikashu as well.

Sakata appeared at Hikashu's christmas concert last year, and they did an improvising jam which turned out quite splendid. So this collaboration has been road-tested and you could expect a bright moment this time, too.

Hikashu performs Nyu'nen at Fuji Rock Festival 2011. This footage is from TV broadcast. Unfortunately, this is the only segment actually aired.

July 26, 2014
"Hikashu Free Improvisation Summit"
@ Orange Court
Fuji Rock Festival

Fuji Rock Festival official site


Naeba Ski Resort, Naeba, Niigata

Huun Huur Tu Tokyo Concert on July 24, 2014

Huun Huur Tu, the world renowned throat-singing ensemble from Tuva, comes to Japan in July. The tour is organized by Makigami Koichi.


Once taking charge of the tour, Makigami acted swiftly. He promptly booked the group to Fuji Rock Festival, the biggest musical event in Japan, and reserved a concert hall in central Tokyo.


The dates are:

July 24 - Toppan Hall, Iidabashi, Tokyo
July 25 - Naeba Shokudo, Fuji Rock Festival
July 26 - Orange Court, Fuji Rock Festival


Fuji Rock Festival official site

Huun Huur Tu appearing Womad 2013

July 24, 2014
"Huun Huur Tu Tokyo Concert 2014"
@ Toppan Hall
Iidabashi, Tokyo
MC: Makigami Koichi
open 18:30 - start 19:00
adv 6,000 yen - at door 7,000 yen
tickets now available via eplus

Toppan Hall, Iidabashi, Tokyo

Hikashu Russia Altai Tour 2014 May 29-June 5

Hikashu tours Russia including Siberia beginning May 29.

The dates are:


May 29 - TASS, Barnaul
May 31 - Oust-Koksa, Altai
June 1 - Cultural Club, Oust-Kan, Altai
June 3 - ESG-21, Sankt Petersburg
June 4 - DOM Cultural Centre, Moscow
June 5 - Marina and Anastasia Cvetaevy Museum, Alexandrov


The band has toured Russia two times, in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Be sure to act early and secure your ticket, especially the DOM gig, because the demand for the show is expected so high, as the last time.

from the DOM site:

Один из наиболее известных проектов знаменитого японского вокалиста-экспериментатора Макигами Коичи возвращается в Москву после триумфального выступления в ДОМе в рамках «Длинных Рук-7». Игравший с Джоном Зорном и Дереком Бейли Макигами – эксцентрик и шоумен от Бога, удивительный в своей детской непосредственности музыкант, признанный мастер постмодернизма, в своем творчестве заходит на территории джаза, поп-музыки, рока, психоделии, фолка, исследуя их с особым чувством – наверное, именно оно и дает приставку «авант» всему вышеперечисленному.

Длинные Руки представляют: HIKASHU (Япония)

Long Arms presents: HIKASHU (Japan) - DOM



Scenes from the Russia Lithuania Tour 2012

The Living Room Trio (Snekkestad/Strønen/Kjærgaard) Japan Tour 2014 - two clips from Nagoya gig

The Living Room Trio with Makigami Koichi at Kongsberg Jazzfestival 2013. 

Source: Fotograf Stein Hofve

Now the first Japan tour of the Living Room Trio has started and Makigami just uploaded two short clips from the gig at Valentine Drive in Nagoya on April 24.







And tonight, April 25, they have a gig with Hikashu at Sakuraza, Kofu. And here comes a news - it seems that they will jam together.

☆明日４/２５ 甲府桜座で、ヒカシュー＆北欧より来日中のバンド『The Living Color Trio』とのジョイントライブです。 トーマスに会うのも久しぶり。本当に素晴らしいドラマーです。ドラム２台用意しているから、一緒に演奏するシーンもあるかもしれません。楽しみだー！！
— 佐藤正治 (@MASAHARUSATO) 2014, 4月 24

Sato: "Tomorrow, April 25, there will be a double-bill gig with Hikashu and the Living Room Trio from Northern Europe at Sakuraza, Kofu. Thomas Strønen is truly a fabulous drummer and I haven't seen him in a while. We have arranged two drum sets so maybe we'll play together. You must be excited!"

明日はいよいよ初甲府ヒカシュー。thelivingroom trio とのセッションもあります。
— 巻上公一 (@MAKIBRI) 2014, 4月 24

Makigami: "Tomorrow Hikashu will perform at Sakuraza, Kofu. It's the first time for the group to play there. And there will be a session with the Living Room Trio."

Certainly this will be a special evening. The information of the tour is here.

"Bankan" and "Chakra Biraki" got reviewed on all about jazz

A review of the recent Hikashu releases is just published at allaboutjazz.com. It's written by Eyal Hareuveni who also reviewed the band's last effort "Uragoe" for the site.

The Wild, Eclectic World of Koichi Makigami's Hikashu Band

By EYAL HAREUVENI, Published: April 18, 2014

Japanese vocal artist Koichi Makigami's main musical vehicle has been his band Hikashu since the late seventies. This band embodies Makigami's colorful eclectic tastes and myriad vocal personalities. They succeed in tying together eccentric collective improvisations, Japanese theater traditions or elements from Japanese films and pop songs, references to progressive rock and wild, virtuoso vocal acrobatics. Hikashu's 21st album Bankan and the following EP Chakra Biraki [Chakra Opening] show that when it comes to Makigami and Hikashu, you can only expect the unexpected, but you are guaranteed to have tons of fun.

It's always nice to see the albums got reviewed on media, and allaboutjazz.com is pretty favorable - it's mainly about jazz, of course, but not only that. They're eclectic, so is Hikashu.

You can read the rest here.

Makigami Koichi in NYC: The Stone Residencies Oct 28-Nov 2

Hikashu at GuruGuru Toiro Festival, Saitama Super Arena on April 6, 2014. source: gurugurutoiro.net

For a week starting October 28, Makigami Koichi will curate performances at the Stone NYC.

Currently the line-up is under consideration but Makigami has already expressed that he intends to play with Hikashu for a few days.

He also plans to perform with lots of guest like Bolot Bairyshev, the great performer from Altai. So don't miss it.

The Stone website

The Stone, New York City

The "Bankan" Tour part 2 - Shizuoka, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Kobe shows in May

The second leg of the tour supporting their new album will be held in May, and it covers the second and third largest regions of Japan.

The dates are as follows:

May 18 - Freakyshow, Shizuoka
May 19 - Tokuzo, Nagoya
May 21 - Takutaku, Kyoto
May 22 - Guggenheim, Kobe



May 18, 2014
@ Freakyshow
Shizuoka
other acts: Suteteko, Daichu, and others
open 18:00 - start 18:30
freakyshow.net

Freakyshow, Shizuoka

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May 19, 2014
@ Tokuzo
Nagoya
other acts: Oorutaichi + Utamo
open 18:30 - start 19:30
adv 3,600 yen - at door 4,000 yen
tokuzo.com

Tokuzo, Nagoya

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May 21, 2014
@ Takutaku
Kyoto
other acts: Oorutaichi + Utamo
open 18:00 - start 19:00
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
www.geisya.or.jp/~takutaku

Takutaku, Kyoto

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May 12, 2014
@ Guggenheim House
Kobe
other acts: Oorutaichi + Utamo
open 19:00 - start 19:30
adv 4,000 yen - at door 4,500 yen
www.nedogu.com

Guggenheim House, Kobe

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