Sakai Blues festival

Blues in Sakai

 

There is an annual Blues Festival in The city of Sakai Japan, which is in South Osaka. It is a small city, city not a town. I am not sure how long it has been in effect this show. This is the third year I know of.

However last year was the first I played in it, with the Doc’s Blues band. We played in a little bar in the basement. There are several venues in operation during the two day event. There is a main stage out door, where the “names” play, and there are two other small venues, such as the bar, where we played.

 

 

Last year our first year, was pretty sad, so I thought, rushing to set up, small space, too many people packed in. The Doc did all of the singing, afterward says ohh, I should have had you sing a song. Whatever, I thought. Not really a big deal, he wanted the spot light so, no problem. We did not even know what songs we were doing until just before the show, or he decided once we were on stage. I no longer let that bother me, and just roll with it.

 

This year, we were back. That was a surprise. We had to go play at a Jam session by one of the promotors, but that was easy and did not go badly. So yeah this year we were back. Sorry no good picture. The drummer pressed for a meeting before hand to go over what songs we were to play. I am glad he took the effort, because I am done with trying to have the band look professional, much less sound professional. 

 

We meet for lunch just before the show and talked about what songs, etc. Helpful. Although the songs were picked weeks ago or longer, but the Doc said nothing until the night before. Sigh.

So we roll up, walk up really, to the club after lunch, figure out some setup details and go setup at our time.again a rush, but not so much this time. We went through the songs mostly with out any gliches…mostly. The crowd like when I did Mustang Sally, and some danced. It was a good set. The drummer and I took off right afterwards. We stopped over at the main stage area and checked out the all girl band that as playing. Turns out the leader is the owner of Chicago Rock daughter. Chicago Rock is a club we used to play at. I had spoken with the daughter before and said I wanted to see her band, however never made it back to do so. They were pretty good! After one song I left though, there was the rain happening. Vocals, two guitars, bass, drummer, full sound. Maybe this link will work to a video

 

The next day, Sunday I was back, this time not as a musician, but as a photographer and reporter .

I was going to do an interview of one of the performers. The interview is for a website called BlackTokyo.com. I was interviewed and a podcast was made when we were in Kamakura. The owner is a friend of many years. The person I was interviewing today is pretty well known around this area and is also from Philly. We have met several times and she did a couple of songs with us before. She is good, vegetarian, buddhist, animal rights supporter. I planned on hooking up with her after her show.

 

I arrived just before she went on and so I wandered around. I knew she would be busy before the set. I chatted some with the owner of Chicago Rock, who is a sponsor of the show.

There was also another band whos members I know, at least the leader and sitting in trumpet player, who were playing right after my friend Davina was done. I was not asked but I could tell by how excited he was seeing my business Nikon, that he wanted me to take some pictures. It was during my interview time, but I would make the effort.

 

I got a little bold on where I walked and took pictures, since I knew a sponsor and several of the attendants, knew me. Only once was I asked about having a staff pass. I just said I am with blah blah, and it was dropped. The band were good, it was pretty fun just hanging out doing some shots, then speaking with my friend afterward, in English. That was nice I could relax and talk for a change.

 

My only regret is that my guys do not want to put in the effort to be good enough to play main stage. I am toying more with the idea of my own group more. Even playing in one of the basement venues next year as a start. I need to give more thought to who would play with me. I would love to do some serious funky blues. No one I saw is doing that. Well my friend Davina is close. 

 

Anyway the festival is wrap for this year. I need to give some serious thought to a game musical game plan. Next weekend I am doing a couple of song with the Jazz band folks and the following I will sit in with the mix Jazz group at Snafkin. I was invited today to do play at a show at Tajiri Marina in Jul, for some event. This is where I work. They had a show there on the same day/ night as the blues fest. The friend, the percussionist who set me up with a recent gig for charity invited me to this. Now I need to think of band members. I know a couple of keyboard players and a drummer. I am thinking a female keyboardist who speak some English, and a female drummer, who does not. She is not that good, but she is steady, I like that. I know a couple of female horn players. It maybe a good gimmick, me with a Japanese mostly girl band. I will see how it all flows as time goes on.