There is a theory -- and not a good one -- that the Japanese are only good at copying. Sadao Watanabe proves this is a fallacy and if you want to hear for yourself why, then check out his concert next week in Taipei.
The award-winning alto and soprano saxophonist, who records for the fabled Verve jazz label and has produced more than 60 albums, will appear at the Taipei International Convention Center on Tuesday. He will bring a six-man backing band that includes Masaharu Ishikawa on drums, Steve Thornton and N'Diasse Niang on percussion, Tomohito Aoki on bass, Kiyotsugu Amano on guitar and Akira Onozuka playing piano and keyboards.
Like all jazz enthusiasts of his time, the 71-year-old Watanabe was influenced by the US greats, particularly the stars of the bebop era such as saxophonist Charlie "Bird" Parker and trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie. So, like any other aspiring musician, Watanabe started off playing what he knew, but over the past five decades he has evolved his own sound, through travel, experimentation, innovation and constant jamming.
To say that he is a copy is like equating the Toyota Lexus with a Ford from the 1950s. He took what came before and has added to it, integrating local and international influences, particularly African and Brazilian beats, to craft his own sound. It's a clean, bright, intelligent and refreshing concoction that is light years away from the smokey, often frenetic pace of the US originals. Most of the material he records and plays at concerts these days are his own compositions, not just George Gershwin and Cole Porter.
Despite having marched to his own beat, Watanabe has a fear of influence and admits that his artistic development has been a product of this. In an e-mail interview provided by the promoters of his concert in Taipei, Watanabe said he was aware that jazz in his country had not quite cut the umbilical cord with jazz from the US.
"I feel that the situation hasn't changed for Japanese jazz not being able to free itself from being a `follower' of American jazz. My expectation for Japanese musicians -- and especially the younger generation -- is to establish more originality, a solid identity for Japanese jazz."
He said there was an information overload in contemporary society, so his best advice to budding artists was to not do anything except play music. "If you are really motivated to become the musician that you want to be, put all your energy into focusing on that goal for at least three years and not be distracted by anything else -- no watching TV, or going to the movies!"
Inspired to play jazz after watching the Birth of the Blues, a 1941 movie set in New Orleans and starring Bing Crosby, Watanabe joined Toshiko Akiyoshi's bebop band before studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He returned to Japan in the late 1960s to start his own band, of which several members have become stars in their own right. He has toured extensively and played at many of the biggest festivals and most important jazz clubs in the world, all the while absorbing musical influences. He has become something of a national treasure for Japan as a jazz artist and has played with many of the top names in the business.
Still going strong in his 70s, Watanabe said he was looking forward to his Taiwan gigs. "I enjoy reading historical novels and I have found that in the old days, Taiwan and Japan were very close countries in terms of trade and cultural exchanges -- and I find this very interesting. When I visited Taiwan last time in 2001 for some concerts, I had the opportunity to sightsee at several locations, but this time I hope to see more of the country and its culture."
Asked what prompts him to compose a new piece, he said, "I find inspiration in the power of nature, the spirit of the land and people in different cultures. I often look back on the impressions I have during my travels in many countries, and use them as [the basis to] create my compositions."
Though happy to play jazz standards with a four-piece band back in Japan, which gives him the opportunity to experiment a little more and be spontaneous, for his Taipei concert Watanabe is expected to showcase his own works and will be more disciplined in his approach because of the number of musicians and the need to get it right on the night.
"When I prepare the set list for a concert like this one, in which I perform my original compositions, I make sure that the sequence has a variety of moods that can be enjoyed by the audience."
Watanabe has a proven record of rising to the big occasion and his Taipei concert should be no exception. For original Japanese jazz, look no further.
Performance Notes:
What: Sadao Watanabe and Jazz.
Where: Taipei International Convention Center (
When: Tuesday (Dec. 21) at 7:45ppm.
Tickets: Priced at NT$600 to NT$2,200, available from www.ticket.com.tw, call (07) 537 3333. Or www.dadaarts.com.tw on (07) 537 0000.
Jason Han says that the e-arrival card spat between South Korea and Taiwan shows that Seoul is signaling adherence to its “one-China” policy, while Taiwan’s response reflects a reciprocal approach. “Attempts to alter the diplomatic status quo often lead to tit-for-tat responses,” the analyst on international affairs tells the Taipei Times, adding that Taiwan may become more cautious in its dealings with South Korea going forward. Taipei has called on Seoul to correct its electronic entry system, which currently lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan),” warning that reciprocal measures may follow if the wording is not changed before March 31. As of yesterday,
The Portuguese never established a presence on Taiwan, but they must have traded with the indigenous people because later traders reported that the locals referred to parts of deer using Portuguese words. What goods might the Portuguese have offered their indigenous trade partners? Among them must have been slaves, for the Portuguese dealt slaves across Asia. Though we often speak of “Portuguese” ships, imagining them as picturesque vessels manned by pointy-bearded Iberians, in Asia Portuguese shipping between local destinations was crewed by Asian seamen, with a handful of white or Eurasian officers. “Even the great carracks of 1,000-2,000 tons which plied
On Thursday, former Taipei mayor and founder of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was sentenced to 17 years in prison and had his civil rights suspended for six years over corruption, embezzlement and other charges. Seven others related to the case were also handed prison sentences, while two were found not guilty. It has been a bad week for the TPP. On Tuesday, prosecutors charged Chinese immigrant Xu Chunying (徐春鶯) with suspicion of taking part in Beijing-directed election interference. Xu has strong links to the TPP, which once offered her a party list legislator nomination. Tuesday also
Nuclear power is getting a second look in Southeast Asia as countries prepare to meet surging energy demand as they vie for artificial intelligence-focused data centers. Several Southeast Asian nations are reviving mothballed nuclear plans and setting ambitious targets and nearly half of the region could, if they pursue those goals, have nuclear energy in the 2030s. Even countries without current plans have signaled their interest. Southeast Asia has never produced a single watt of nuclear energy, despite long-held atomic ambitions. But that may soon change as pressure mounts to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change, while meeting growing power needs. The
RSS