Pe’z
Jazz/Rock multi-instrumental band
Dubbed "The Samurai Jazz Band", Pe’z started out busking on the streets of Shibuya eight years ago. Many bands have begun their careers in this manner, but very few can claim to have drawn 600 spectators to street performances. Since then, the band has toured extensively across Japan, as well as finding themselves on the bill at the big festivals including Fuji Jazz Festival and Hokkaido's Rising Sun Rock Festival. Pe’z’s debut album, Kugatsu No Sola (September Sky), was released in September 2002, and for an instrumental release was received phenomenally well. Only six months later they received the award for New Artist of the Year at the Japan Golden Disc Awards.
Recently, Pe’z has toured Korea, Europe and the US, as well as performing with Cyndi Lauper and British soul singer Nate James. Via trumpet, saxophone, percussion, bass and keyboards, they incorporate all aspects of the jazz, funk and pop genres, with amazing fluidity. Their musicianship and vibrant live performances prove that Japanese music can deliver more than just what’s on the commercial conveyor-belt.
ClJazz. Billboard Live, Osaka. Nov 17-18, 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥5,300/¥6,800. Tel: 06-6342-7722.
Oz Noy
Israeli blues guitarist
 After a first listen to the Oz Noy track “Fuzzy” I was immediately drawn to comparisons with the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. But to label Oz Noy as simply sounding like a past great would be an injustice. Jazz legend Mike Stern has been quick to praise Oz’s talents: "One of the best I've ever seen. He's just too good", while bassist Will Lee joined in by saying "Oz is to guitar what Jaco (Pastorius) was to bass."
 Starting out on guitar at age thirteen with influences from jazz, blues, pop and rock, Oz Noy was already doing the live house circuit in his native Israel only three years later; by 24, he was an established and sought-after studio guitarist. In 1996, he headed for New York where he made an immediate impact on the local scene with his unique sound and fusion of styles make for an enthralling groove.
Blues. Billboard Live, Osaka. Nov 24, 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥5,900/¥7,400. Tel: 06-6342-7722.
Praying Mantis
Melodic NWOBHM Stalwarts
In the UK during the late ’70s, emerging bands such as Iron Maiden and Def Leppard were collectively forming what is now known as the known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Part of this collection of bands was Praying Mantis. The band’s self-titled debut album was released in June 1980, but unlike many other NWOBHM bands, the ’80s was a stuttering period. With a run of bad luck, dodgy deals and unstable line-ups (at one point, ex-Iron Maiden members Paul Dianno and Dennis Stratton featured), it wasn’t until the ’90s that any semblance of stability and continuity appeared.
The band’s latest album, Sanctuary, was released June of this year and has been described as “a collection of songs that create a really classic album”. Classic Rock magazine recently made comment of the band: “Praying Mantis always had more melodic leanings that their rivals… Sanctuary is a fine album that ticks many different boxes.”
Hard Rock. Club Quattro, Osaka. Nov 4, 7pm, ¥6,500. Tel: 06-6281-8181.
Lee Everton
Swiss Roots singer-songwriter
 A first listen to Lee Everton and it’s difficult to pigeonhole him to a genre, simply because the Swiss composer seems to carry such a wide range of influences. An example is track “Don’t Make it Hard”, with its blues moods somehow working with a subtle background organ riff that wouldn’t feel out of place in a reggae outfit. His laid-back vocals give the impression that Everton is reclined on a sandy beach in a hammock whilst strumming his guitar and singing, which is testament to his strong signature sound. Music critics have said of Everton “he’s got the voice, he’s got the groove and he’s got the laid-back attitude,” and that his music is a “brand of reggae in direct continuity with Marley.” Personally, I would disagree somewhat and retort that his mix of blues and reggae is more in vein of Eric Clapton circa “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Lay Down Sally.” Whatever you think, you’ll enjoy it!
Roots/blues/reggae. Shangri-La, Osaka. Nov 11, 7.30pm, ¥5,500/¥6,500.
Tel: 06-6343-8601.
Live Listings
Soul Flower
J-Band. Taku Taku, Kyoto. Nov 1, 6.30pm. ¥3,500/¥4,000.
Tel: 075-351-1321.
The Birthday
Rock. Namba Hatch, Osaka. Nov 2, 7pm. ¥4,500/¥5,000. Tel: 06-6341-3525.
Kreva
Hip-Hop/Rap. Zepp, Osaka. Nov 5-6, 7pm. ¥5,000.
Tel: 06-6341-3525.
Trey Songz
RnB. Club Quattro, Osaka, 8pm. ¥5,500/¥6,500.
Tel: 06-6281-8181.
Ry Cooder & Nick Lowe
Blues Rock. Grand Cube,
Osaka, Nov 6, 7pm. ¥10,000/¥12,000.
Tel: 06-6341-4506.
Chaka Khan
RnB/Soul. Billboard Live, Osaka. Nov 5-7, 6.30pm and 9.30pm. ¥13,500/¥15,000. Tel: 06-6342-7722.
Faith Evans
RnB. Billboard Live, Osaka, Nov 10-11. 6.30pm and 9.30pm, ¥9,500-¥11,000. Tel: 06-6342-7722.
Franz Ferdinand
Brit-Rock. Zepp, Osaka.
Nov 12, 7pm, ¥7,000.
Tel: 06-6535-5569.
Terry Bozzio
Drums. Big Cat, Osaka. Nov 13, 7.30pm, ¥7,800/¥8,300. Tel: 06-6258-5008.
Hideaki Tokunaga
Jazz Guitar. Grand Cube, Osaka, Nov 14, 5pm; Nov 15, 3pm. ¥6,500-¥10,000.
Tel: 06-7732-8888.
44Magnum
J-Rock. Big Cat, Osaka. 6pm, Nov 15. ¥6,800/¥7,300. Tel: 06-7732-8888.
Mutemath
Rock. Club Quattro, Osaka. Nov 17, 7pm. ¥5,800.
Tel: 06-6281-8181.
Opeth
Metal. Club Quattro, Osaka. Nov 18, 7pm. ¥6,000/¥6,500.
Tel: 06-6281-8181.
Bloc Party
Indie Rock. Club Quattro, Osaka. Nov 19, 7pm. ¥6,500. Tel: 06-7732-8888.
Hajime Mizoguchi
Cello. Billboard Live, Osaka, Nov 20, 6.30pm and 9.30pm. Tel: 06-6342-7722.
Christte Mitchell
RnB. Billboard Live, Osaka, Nov 21, 6.30pm and
9.30pm. ¥6,700/¥8,400.
Tel: 06-6342-7722.
Takanaka Eri
J-Pop Female Vocal. Taku Taku, Kyoto, Nov 21, 6pm. ¥3,800/¥4,300. Tel: 075-351-1321.
Zi:LiE-YA
Rock. Fandango, Osaka, Nov 21, 6.30pm. ¥3,000/¥3,500. Tel: 06-6308-1621.
Santara
Male-female Acoustic Duo. Taku Taku, Kyoto. Nov 23, 6.30pm. ¥3,000/¥3,500.
Tel: 075-351-1321.
Glay
J-Rock. Osaka Jo Hall, Nov 25-26, 6.30pm. ¥7,350.
Tel: 06-6341-3525.
Soil&Pimp Sessions
Big Cat, Osaka, Nov 26, 7.30pm. ¥4,000/¥4,500.
Tel: 06-6341-3525.
Yoichiro Hatta
Guitar/Vocal. Taku Taku, Kyoto, Nov 27, 6.30pm. ¥2,500. Tel: 075-351-1321.
Doping Panda
J-Rock. Zepp, Osaka,
Nov 27, 7pm. ¥4,000.
Tel: 06-6341-3525.
Compiled by Phillip Jackson |
