Thank you so much for the last Monday.
It became a wonderful birthday.
I was so, so touched by (YOU!) your presence.
I also received many messages through facebook, mixi, text, phone, etc.
Thank you very, very much.
You guys are the best of the best!
So. How are you all doing in these days,
particularly those who live in NYC dealing with
slashy snow-flooded streets?
I am doing terrible walking around block to block
(picture my
“wonder-how-can-I-cross-the-street- without-wetting-my-feet” look.)
I think at least I pretty much ruined 2 pairs of boots.
(now that can be a good excuse to buy a new pair in next winter!)
Besides that…
I was given some homework from my brother the other day
(lemme call that way for now),
and I am learning a couple of new tunes.
I don’t think I haven’t learn new material for a while.
(When I say “learn”, I really mean “learning” with a serious effort
- can’t forget to add the JOY onto it. Yep, I am enjoying it.)
Anyhow, I was checking out several recordings of the tune
on iTune, YouTube, you name it – whatever I can put my hands on.
I think I have downloaded about…
6 tracks out of 3 dozen of available tracks.
I like some of them, but some are OK (just as the reference, I say.)
Then, I started to check YouTube, and found
Ray Anderson’s recording from 1991.
It sounded really good, and saw the credit of performers.
THEN, I was stunned when I saw the pianist’s name.
It said Fumio Itabashi. Gosh, that’s my teacher!
Very Natsukashii feeling ne…
I liked the recording, so I started to search on the net
if I can still get the CD copy.
Luckily I found it on Amazon in used,
and the price was less than $1 and about $4 in total with the shipping.
WOW
in many ways.
SIGH
in many ways.
I don’t know if Itabashi-sensei remembers me or not, but
he is the one who consciously or perhaps sub-consciously
directed me to pursuit in field of singing (odd? perhaps).
I was taking his jazz piano classes without any previous knowledge
nor experience. I didn’t even now who he was in jazz field.
(needless to say… people in the class was all grown ups who know who he is, and who is pursuing the music career seeeeeeeeriously.)
He basically gave me the first taste of jazz like…
a bad (or can be cool) parent gives a kid the first taste of
coffee or beer or something kids won’t drink.
(is this PG13 expression? or worse? lol)
Anyhow…
The year 1991 was when I was in college in Philly.
It is about 20 years ago.
So… this recording might be when he was in his late 30′s or early 40′s?
I don’t know his age, but it shouldn’t be so off.
I can’t wait to hear entire album.
Being here in New York, I can’t have a chance to experience him playing as a sideman… doing sort of straight ahead stuff with his usual gracious, decisive, fearless and dynamic play :)
This is the year 1984…
so, this is the year I just started to study with him.
(… that tells a lot in terms of my age. hahaha.)
Kakko iine, Itabashi-san.
Now, before I go offline…
Here is my schedule for the next week.
Monday, January 31
NB Lounge
7:30 PM to 11PM
111 E56th St (at the Lombardy Hotel)
New York, NY 10022
If you have missed us the last Monday,
I urge you to come and join us for this one on 1/31
and/or one on 2/7.
There are 2 more gigs left before Toru goes off to his Japan tour.
Let me repeat: 2 more gigs! 2 more gigs!!
I have one more gig in this coming week.
This is one of the nurturing projects that I’ve been involved with,
and it’s getting interesting.
Of course, I really enjoy working on/with/for.
(FYI, I said “one of.” Which hopefully gives you the sense of
“more” to come. Lemme give you a super *cheeky smile,* my friend!)
Quoting the words Senri from here…
it will be in “minimal” setting with the “thrill.”
Indeed.
That’s what “duo” is for.
Don’t you agree?
I hope you can join our musical journey…
Wednesday, February 2
Tomi Jazz
9:30 PM to 11:30 PM-ish
239 East 53rd Street, Lower Level
New York, NY 10022
How was your Hatsuyume for this year?
Did you get one of classic lucky dream symbol in your dream?
Here is my gigs in January.
There are a couple of new and notable things you may find…
[January Schedule]
Monday, January 10, at NB Lounge will have Toru Dodo on piano. (Good start!) As always, we’ll start at 7:30 PM and continue until 11PM.
The next day, Tuesday, January 11, both Toru and I will be at Le Pescaduex as part of Kaori Yamada 4. Kaori is a regular performer at this cozy restaurant in Soho, and she will have me, Toru, and a guest bassist from Japan. No cover, No minimum, tasty meal, and yummy drinks. Starts at 7PM.
Monday, January 17, the lounge will have Senri Oe on piano. This is the first time to have him over and play with me. It is definitely going to be a fun evening for both you and us. Join us at 7:30 sharp!
[Update!] Wednesday, January 19, I will be at Tagine with Art Hirahara on piano and Steve Whipple on bass. This is my first time performing at Tagine. AND for 2nd time in this month, it’s a group setting (trio!). No cover, no minimum, good food, relaxed atmosphere (don’t we love that?)
Monday, January 24 is a little special day for me because it happens to be my birthday. I would love to see your face at the lounge – seeing your smiles and spending time together means a lot to me. Toru will be on piano on this day.
On Mondays, January 31 and February 7, Toru Dodo is scheduled to be on piano. He will be out of town from mid February to good portion of March. Please come and catch our sets up before his long-term leave!
Monday, January 10
from 7:30 PM to 11PM
@ NB Lounge
111 E56th St (bet Park and Lex)
New York, NY 10022
with Toru Dodo (piano)
No Cover, No Minimum
Tuesday, January 11
from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
@ Le Pescaduex 90 Thompson St (bet Prince & Spring)
New York, NY 10012
with Kaori Yamada 4
No Cover, No Minimum
Monday, January 17
from 7:30 PM to 11PM
@ NB Lounge
111 E56th St (bet Park and Lex)
New York, NY 10022
with Senri Oe (piano)
No Cover, No Minimum
Wednesday, January 19
from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM
@ Tagine Dining Gallery
537 9th Avenue (by 40th St)
New York, NY 10018
with Art Hirahara (piano) and Steve Whipple (bass)
No Cover, No Minimum
Monday, January 24
from 7:30 PM to 11PM
@ NB Lounge
111 E56th St (bet Park and Lex)
New York, NY 10022
with Toru Dodo (piano)
No Cover, No Minimum
Monday, January 31
from 7:30 PM to 11PM
@ NB Lounge
111 E56th St (bet Park and Lex)
New York, NY 10022
The clip above was taken in the last summer (early summer?).
It’s from the same night that “Night and Day” clip was taken.
Speaking of youtube, I won’t put this Dindi on the tube.
You can only see it in here on my blog. AND this will be limited time only!
If you cannot see it, copy this to your QuickTime player (bring up “open URL” and paste the address)
or media player of your choice >>> http://tinyurl.com/dindi-by-mamiko
Oh! One more thing…
Speaking of youtube, “Close to You,” the video from the live at Alfie,
now has over 500 viewer counts. Thank you very much for watching.
I am very surprised by the number and how fast the counter reached to 500.
Approximately it took just about 1 month.
(Autumn Leaves is up about 9 months and has about 1500 counts.)
I wonder how far this Close to You can go…
I still think it’s a nice little song and a nice little video of Satoshi and I are playing together.
(Thank you, Michiki-san!)
Monday Jazz at NB Lounge goes on entire month of December…
Monday, December 6
Mamiko Taira (vocal)
Toru Dodo (piano)
Monday, December 13
Mamiko Taira (vocal)
Nobuki Takamen (guitar)
Monday, December 20
Mamiko Taira (vocal)
Toru Dodo (piano)
Monday, December 27
Mamiko Taira (vocal)
Nobuki Takamen (guitar)
START: 7:30 PM
COVER: none
MINIMUM: none
SETS: 3
LOCATION: 111 E56th St (bet Park and Lex) at the Lombardy Hotel
MAP: click here!
or cut and paste this address to your browser…
http://tinyurl.com/nblounge-at-the-lombardy
I am not a fast, quick writer. Writing takes certain amount of minutes to finish.
If the speed of writing and the tempo of each topic comes up in my heard
and sync well, I don’t see any challenge in here.
However, the reality is…
the topics come up way faster than my writing and editing speed!
Said all in above…
I want to bring back my little, lovely memory on one fine day in the last October.
I had a chance to work in a beautiful wedding reception with a very professional wedding planning team here in New York. They specialize in wedding planning and coordination for Japanese couples, but that’s not just what they do. Their area of expertise is wide and impressive.
I honestly had a great time at the reception. The reception was filled with lots of love from each one of attendees and staff in the room. It made me feel that I was truly a part of wedding in a wonderful, bonding way although I was technically with them in the post ceremony stage only.
If you ever need a good wedding planning team, I highly recommend to give a shot to contact Etsuko-san at Etsuko Planning. Oh! Don’t forget to mention that you want me on your wedding for entertainment. I will sing my heart out for your glorious day ;)
Finally, I know who’s on which day in the 1st and 2nd week of October at NB Lounge to play, and was able to put them together in calendar. (Cheeky Smile!)
On Monday, October 4, Art will be back (yay!).
It was really fun when the last time I have played with him
Those who have missed it should really come out.
I even strongly suggest you to reschedule whatever you have and
juuuuuuust come to the lounge. Trust me.
On Thursdays, October 7 and 14 as well as Monday, October 11 (Columbus Day Holiday),
Toru will be with me. Yes, Toru’s back!
I am sure that you have missed him very much as much as I did.
Please catch us in one of these dates or all of them before I go off to Japan.
If you miss us this time, you won’t see us playing together until November…
[NB Lounge October 2010 Schedule]
Monday, October 4
7:30 – 11PM
Mamiko Taira (vocal)
Art Hirahara (piano)
Thursday, October 7
Monday, October 11
Thursday, October 14
7:30 – 11PM
Mamiko Taira (vocal)
Toru Dodo (piano)
NB Lounge at the Lombardy 111 E56th Street
(between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10022
No Cover, No Minimum
All photos are from the gig on Thursday, August 12th at NB Lounge.
Photo #1 thru 3 by Mari Koga
Photo #4 by Joe Gianono
I thought of writing something to describe how the last Thursday went, but showing you the pictures perhaps is the quickest and best way to let you feel how it was. If I will describe the night…. it was lovely and a full of fun moments. I thank Waki-san who was brave enough to do gigs in this setting not just once, but twice in a single week (at Langan’s and NB Lounge.) Thank you for those who came out and support the music including all singers who sat in and made the nights lovelier and merrier ;)
This Monday, the 16th is with Tadataka at the Lounge. As usual, it starts at 7:30 PM and close the set by 11PM. No Cover, No Minimum. Please join us for a drink (or two!).
Monday, August 16
7:30 PM to 11 PM NB Lounge at Lombardy Hotel
111 E56th Street
(bet Park and Lexington)
New York, NY 10022
In this Thursday, Toru will back in the Lounge with Yoshi on bass. Did I say BASS? Yes. Sort’a a summer special live that I have booked at NB for the first time. This is my way to show “thank you” and telling “sorry” to you for postponing 2 of Toru/Mamiko duo gigs in this month and September. It is rare to have trio gig at NB; therefore, please mark your calendar (or set your alarm on your cell phone) and join us on Thursday, the 19th at NB Lounge.
Thursday, August 19
7:30 PM to 11 PM NB Lounge at Lombardy Hotel
111 E56th Street
(bet Park and Lexington)
New York, NY 10022
I am bit freaking out lately because people around me seem having really, really strange coughs.
Whenever I encounter this sort of “freaking out” situation,
My hand reaches out to a little mighty pack of Emergen-C.
(Note: I am NOT an endorser of Emergen-C!)
Dunno if this does help or not, but at least I am being pro-active.
As I write this post, I am having Pink Lemonade one now.
It’s OK in taste-wise, but fizzes are great! (“fizz” is the best part of Emergen-C, no?)
This is your last chance to catch me and Toru together
until he comes back from Somi’s Eastern Africa Tour.
The next time you will see him at NB is Thursday, August 19.
He will be away 4 weeks. (sigh.)
So, please join me tonight at NB Lounge
and help me expressing how we all are going to miss him in these weeks:)
What are you doing on Wednesday, July 28th?
Tadataka and I will be at Miles’ Cafe on Wednesday, the 28th
from 9:30 to 11:30.
I believe this is the first time for Tada to play at Miles’ Cafe,
and for me, the first time to play with Tada at the cafe as well
(the past 3 performances were with Toru.)
It’s going to be an another beautiful evening of great American songbooks!
Wednesday, July 28
from 9:30 PM to 11:30 PM Miles’ Cafe
212 E52nd Street (by the 3rd Avenue)
New York, NY 10022
TEL (212) 371-7657
I have newly set up the “schedule” page on my blog. (Ah! finally!!)
You can check it clicking the top menu, “SCHEDULE.”
OR simply bookmark this page on your browser.
On the schedule page, you’ll see my updated August schedule as well as
few highlights of September and October schedule.
In August, I have highlighed Thursday, August 19.
I have scheduled Toru and Yoshi on that day.
NB Lounge is normally a duo gig, but for Thursday, the 19th,
I decided to put 2 gents on the gig.
Why? This is my gesture to thoese who were exited to have
“Dodo Day” in the same week and unfortunately it has been postponed
due to the schedule conflict. Take this as my “apology” gift to you,
and “my little staycation” treat for me :)
Also, I have “Bass-Vocal Duo” day with Yoshi a week before.
Mark your calendar on Thursday, August 12.
It’s going to be fun.
Mondays are all looking good.
Who’s on all Mondays in August?
Yes. Tadataka is on.
What can I ask for more?
In September, Toru and I have a double bill gig with a wonderful unit called
“Go-Zee-Lah.” Go-Zee-Lah is a duo with Kyoko Kitamura and Yayoi Ikawa.
We will perform at 5C Cafe in downtown on Saturday, September 11.
The theme is Japanese songs, and as you guessed, we’ll do our own interpretation of them.
It’ll be a wonderful night, and I will make sure to inform you
for more detail when the date gets closer…
In October, I will be in Tokyo from Monday, October 18 through 30.
Boy, I am so excited to see you, the folks in Japan!
There are 3 gigs in Tokyo metro area, and I am sure you can make it at least one of them.
Please spread words to your friends!
Click “October 2010” to see when I will be at in which venue…
And I sincerely thank all of you who have helped me
and still are helping me out through giving insights,
making directive suggestions, and literally going through troubles with me!!
Also, I must say thank you for those who kindly agreed to have me play
at your venue and who will play with me on these gigs.
Without you, I am nothing. Really.
I sincerely thank you for your offers and generosity
(you know who I’m sending my love to!)
皆様、有意義な夏をお過ごしでしょうか？
今週は、New York Philharmonic: Concerts in the Parksのあった週で、
毎年行くというのがワタシ的夏、というわけで、両日行くつもりで計画していました。
が、初日は、みきちゃんとシンノスケ君のお天気予報に従って（！）
行くのを断念（でも、結局コンサートはあったのです。
きっとミキちゃんは悔しくて眠れなかったことでしょう！）。
翌日のコンサートは、あけみちゃんと決行。
見事に晴れ、花火も満喫、人も適度に混み、電話が通じないほどのパンク状態にはならず、
素敵な夜になりました。
が入ったので借りて読んでみてる。去年の夏に出たものだから、中身の鮮度という意味ではどうなのか分からないが、とりあえずスイスイ読める。英語版も後からサックリ流し読み、後ほどしたいな、と思った（のは、出てくる単語できちんと訳されてないか、誤植なのか確かめたくなるものが出てきたので・笑）。
