It's funky, just check the clip!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG2LxLz3g9A&feature=related
At the Organ Jazz Bar, http://www.organjazzclub.org/

Amnesty International Tokyo English Network and the Asia-Pacific Youth Network are presenting the "Rock for Human Rights in Myanmar Benefit Concert" this Sunday June 14th. The venue is the What the Dickens pub in Ebisu, door opens at 6pm, music from 7:30. There is a ï¿¥1000 charge, with all proceeds going to Amnesty International. Soul, R&B and Rock from a variety of bands. Not a jazz event, but a great chance to contribute to a very worthy cause. Check it out! Further information here www.aiten.org and www.whatthedickens.jp

Check it out on the menu above, an interactive forum space is finally here. If you have any questions, comments, thoughts, idle musings..anything and everything that all you wonderful readers have emailed me about (from 21 countries and rising daily!) then get to the forum and let's start the conversation!

Two great upcoming gigs at the B Flat club in Akasaka.
This Friday June 12th, ex-Tokyo resident Jim Butler will be playing with his quintet, first show at 7:30. This is a special "no charge" event, so drop by and have a few drinks while checking out the music.
On Sunday June 14th, American pianist Tim Lyddon will be playing a trio gig, 3000 Yen entry but it covers both sets. This is a good chance to check out some mixed American & Japanese jazz groups so don't miss it.

You know the drill so what are you waiting for? Check out the new cafe listings in the Cafes section and vote in the new poll..and more cafes and bars listings coming soon..

Tim has been in town for a few months doing mostly solo gigs. This is first with a trio, Thursday May 28 at Someday in Shinjuku. Check it out! (http://someday.net/english/english-index.html)

Small, old and wonderful jazz bar in Shimo-Kitazawa. Check out the new entry in the Bars section!

I dropped by Kissa Sakaiki (喫茶茶会記) and had an interesting chat with Fukuchi-san, the owner and sole employee at the cafe. He's really attempting something unique with this place, combining elements of a European tea salon with Japanese touches (no shoes inside) with the standard Japanese jazz cafe menu. Fukuchi-san has a lot of ideas and is deeply versed in philosophy and art..just wish I was more fluent in Japanese as the conversation occasionally got away from me..

I have not yet been able to go to one of his frequent "record concerts", where customers bring records in a select genre and then listen and discuss them. Sounds like jazz-geek heaven to me so I'll get to one asap then report back on it.

Can't rave too much about these guys, just an awesome band. They only had the one Tokyo gig at the Satin Doll in Roppongi last night as their main Japan shows were down in the Kansai. They're off to Korea tomorrow for a few shows then back to Australia. Hopefully they'll be back here soon.. If you like modern, creative and utterly unique jazz (African drums and Vietnamese instruments alongside a swinging rhythm section and trumpet/tenor sax front line) then pick up one of their CDs right away.. (Paul and Howard, I'll hold you to your promise to do a jam session at the Samurai Cafe next time, so be prepared!)

http://www.myspace.com/wayoutwestmelbourne

I dropped by to see the newly expanded vinyl section of Disk Union Jazz in Shinjuku (3rd floor of the building right next to the main jazz cd shop) More pain for my wallet! The room is much larger than the previous space and way easier to move around in while browsing the various racks. I picked up Baby Face Willette's "Stop and Listen", Hank Mobley's "Roll Call" and Jackie McLean's "4,5 & 6" for just under ï¿¥3000 (just about US$30). Obviously that was narrowed down from about 40 albums that I wanted..