Here's some wonderful news for jazz lovers in Kyoto. Joshua Breakstone is back and ready to play! Here's the good word from Joshua: "Good news! We’ll be starting up our “First Fridays” series at Bonds Rosary again on July 3!!! First guest, on July 3, is alto saxophonist Gary Tegler, a Kyoto fave. In August: a young saxophonist who I totally love, Kurita Yosuke, who … [Read more...]
Joshua Breakstone & Roni Ben-Hur at Bonds Rosary, Kyoto – September 6th 2019
Here's the latest news direct from our friend Joshua Breakstone about his next big gig at Bonds Rosary: "On September 6 it's going to be a really special night at Bonds Rosary, "First Fridays" for 2 reasons: 1) The special guest coming to play with my trio that night is the great NY guitarist, Roni Ben-Hur who, believe it or not, will be making his first Japan tour. … [Read more...]
Joshua Breakstone Jazz Guitar Workshops & Shows 2019
Jazz fans rejoice! Guitar legend Joshua Breakstone has been in touch with news of his schedule for 2019. Below are the flyers for his ongoing shows in Kyoto and Kobe, and he also has news of some workshops he will be giving in February and March. Here's Joshua with the details: "I will be giving a series of workshops on 4 days in February and March in Kyoto, one for … [Read more...]
Arabesk ~ Gypsy, Soul, Jazz Music @ Blue Note Kyoto; May 7th 2015
Put some Gypsy in your Soul with Arabesk in Blue Note Kyoto! Arabesk play a brand of music that is often described as Gypsy Soul. For those looking to embark on a journey of authentic musical exploration, not contained by any cultural boundary, they are a band guaranteed to put some real “gypsy” in your “soul”. Many thanks to George Bourdaniotis for sending in the … [Read more...]
Jazz Band Fujiya Mountain @ 和音堂
Walking up the Kamo river one day, we saw a lively jazz band playing under the Sanjo bridge that were so good we decided cross over and have a look. They were young, fun and funky, so we picked up a flyer for their next gig, which happened to be on the following day. The location 和音堂 (WA・ON・DO) was convenient and the price was only 1000 (+ another 500 for a drink) and let's … [Read more...]
Shakuhachi & Flamenco Live with Yugao – This Weekend!
Our old friend the shakuhachi player, Koichi Yoshida, and his band Yugao have an autumn show at Zac Baran this weekend and the wonderful flamenco dancer Carmen Alvarez is back from Spain to join the performance! You can see some clips of Carmen in action with Yugao from a performance last year here. A little birdy tells me that Koichi is planning to move to France soon... so … [Read more...]
Bobby Ricketts in Kyoto
Jazz fans rejoice! Denmark-based American saxophonist Bobby Ricketts will be playing two shows in Kyoto next month, and one of them is for free! 9/03 (Sat) Place: On Oike Dori outside the Kyoto Hotel Okura (Map) Time: Two sets from 16.45-17.30 and 18.00-18.45 This show is FREE Performers: Bobby Ricketts & local singer Alicia Saldenha. 9/06 (Tue) Place: … [Read more...]
Yugao & Carmen Alvarez
“Flamenco is a gypsy/Andalusian art with its own language, which is spreading throughout the whole world, from Andalusia to Japan, and reaching the depths of all hearts without discrimination.” - Carmen Alvarez Another fantastic show from Yugao at Parker House Roll last night, and it was made all the more special when their special surprise guest, Carmen Alvarez, joined … [Read more...]
Zac Baran
I first met Yoshida Koichi in the music bar Hawkwind. A shakuhachi player, he told me he plays in many styles, not just traditional, but jazz, folk, avant garde, new age, pretty much anything. In Hawkwind we were listening to some hip-hop. "How about this then?" I challenged him with a grin. And do you know, he stood up immediately, he played, and it was wonderful. I was very … [Read more...]
boogaloo cafe & deli
Here's a pleasant respite from the madding crowds of Teramachi. Escape to the soft lighting and background jazz of the 2nd or 3rd floor cafes and order yourself a healthy lunch. This is also a bakery so pasta, pizza or a nutritious salad can be ordered for lunch with a パン食べ放題 or all-you-can-eat-bread deal. Here are some items off the lunchtime menu: ●pasta lunch (today's … [Read more...]
Tits Cafe
In all fairness, you can't very well see a sign like this and not go in, can you really? Don't worry though, I'm not going to indulge myself in silly jokes about breasts. That's already been done for me (curses!). I'm including Tits Cafe here, because it's actually a really nice place; all warm and snug and comforting... Ah. Ok, - let's focus on the menu, shall we? Despite … [Read more...]
Yamatoya
This delightful cafe first opened in 1970 and has since become another of Kyoto's much loved "legendary places". I guarantee you will be pleased as punch to find this cafe. Though the menu is not especially pricey, the interior is absolutely gorgeous. No expense has been spared on the state of the art audio equipment, the elegant furniture or its upkeep. And you may find … [Read more...]
GOSPEL
GOSPEL is in a word: posh. It's the sort of place you would bring your mum or a favorite aunty when she comes to visit. I'd recommend treating her to the scone set with a hot pot of orange pekoe tea. She'd like that. This beautiful old western-style building sits on a corner of Shishigatani Street looking like something out of a fairy tale. Step in through the rose garden … [Read more...]
Lush Life
This is a real find to be treasured. An unassuming little café near Demachiyanagi station, I must have walked past Lush Life a thousand times before finally noticing it today, stepping inside, and bursting out laughing. Outside, it just looks like your average run-of-the-mill café. But inside - it’s so nice! Like a little wooden jazz-lover’s den, with one wall decorated floor … [Read more...]
