Sukiyaki Meets The World 2015

This year’s Suikyaki Meets The World festival in Toyama Prefecture was as wonderful as I had hoped. All the live performances were superb, each affecting the crowd in a different way. The BKO Quintet from Mali brought unbelievable percussive energy while Tigana Santana from Brazil hypnotized the crowd with his acoustic set, singing in 4 different languages.

Cuatro Minimal produced a stunning live set with visual accompaniment; this group with members from Japan, Korea and Mexico is making music that seems to effortlessly cross borders with a fierce intensity. Guitarist Fernando Vigueras comes from an experimental background in Mexico and along with vocalist Juan Pablo Villa, instrumentalist Sakaki Mango and percussionist Jae-Hyo Chang they have created something truly unique.

Aurelio Martinez from Honduras brought a stripped down band and had the crowd up and energized from his first note. He explained who the Garifuna people of Central America are and how their music stands apart from that of the region’s more well known sounds. (Read more about the Garifuna here)

Regular OK Jazz podcast listeners know that I am HUGE fan of the great Cheikh Lo from Senegal. Not only did I have a spot right up front for his headlining performance, but I was able to get 20 minutes with him for a one-on-one interview. (Stand by for the transcript of that, up soon.)

All this great music, warm vibes from all the friendly folks in Toyama AND a live OK Jazz DJ set. A perfect weekend; many thanks to Nicolas, Hashimoto-san, Takano-san, Mr. & Mrs. Ogawa, Yuichi Kumagai & Mario for all their kindness. Can’t wait until next year!

OK Jazz Live DJ Set Sat Aug 22

Miriam Makeba – ‘Makoti’ (South Africa)

Helio Matheius – ‘Mais Kriola’ (Brazil)

Tim Maia – ‘Over Again’ (Brazil)

Radio Tarifa – ‘Osu’ (Spain)

Taffetas – ‘Paya Paya’ (Switzerland/Mali)

Dr. Nico & African Fiesta – ‘Keba’ (Congo)

Wild Tchoupitoulas – ‘Hey Hey (Indian Comin’)’ (USA)

Burning Spear – ‘The Invasion’ (Jamaica)

Waipod Phetsuphan – ‘Ding Dong’ (Thailand)

Cornell Dupree – ‘Freedom Jazz Dance’ (USA)

Peter King – ‘Afro Funk’ (Nigeria)

Alemayehu Eshete – ‘Memar Memeramer’  (Ethiopia)

Abdullah Ibrahim – ‘African Marketplace’ (South Africa)

Africa System Orchestra – ‘Fine Country’ (Cameroon/Nigeria)

Nyboma – ‘Double Double’ (Congo)

Franco & le T.P. O.K. Jazz – ‘Liberte’ (Congo)