One of the world’s most populous cities and certainly among the most interesting, Tokyo is a place where there is never a lack of worthwhile things to do, and that includes musical options in the countless “live houses,” or concert bars, peppered across the municipal map. Japanese musicians and fans have long demonstrated a thirst for sounds from abroad, and an informed respect as well, so quality rock, reggae, jazz, and much more can be found easily enough. For the foreign visitor, the distinctively domestic creations and interpretations are the most interesting. While tickets aren’t cheap, the online reservation system is practical (and honourably devoid of treacherous supplementary fees), sound quality is taken seriously, early start times much appreciated, and the sheer energy of the local audiences astounding. Below are a quartet of musical events from early spring that PAN M 360 is pleased to report back on. Stories by Rupert Bottenberg and Alain Brunet who were in Japan last spring.
Eri Yamamoto Piano Recital at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, Nishi-Shinjuku, March 17
You first must know that there are 2 Eri Yamamoto piano players from Japan. One is experienced, born and raised in Osaka and performs as a jazz player now based in New York City… and there is this young virtuoso from Tokyo who we could witness her great potential last spring, more precisely at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. That was a very special occasion to attend a concert filled with Japanese classical music afficionados from all generations on a Sunday afternoon recital. Eri Yamamoto has played beautifully and showed her skills ad obvious sensibility through her repertoire, from Chopin to Ravel and Liszt. A few weeks later, she was reached in London by PAN M 360, where she actually live, for this generous interview. We wanted to know more about her and how she built her young career from here teenage years to now. Tokyo calling and London calling at the same time ! Here are the Eri Yamamoto videos on her FB page if you click here.
