Wednesday, November 05, 2003
My story today is bittersweet.
I am first saying thank you-
to a man who did so much for me here in Japan.
He opened a door of memories and experiences that I will never forget.
And also to say, goodbye...
George Kawaguchi passed away on Saturday, November 1, 2003.
 TOKYO (Nov. 2) -- Renowned jazz drummer George Kawaguchi, known as the Japanese Art Blakey, died Saturday at a hospital in Tokyo, his family said Sunday. He was 76.
Kawaguchi, a native of Kyoto, died of a brain hemorrhage at 10:40 p.m., the family said, adding that he was taken to hospital after falling at his home in Tokyo on Friday.
Kawaguchi, whose real first name was Joji, began playing jazz in 1947 in U.S. camps in Japan. As his father was a saxophonist, Kawaguchi was familiar with a number of jazz repertories in his childhood.
In 1952, Kawaguchi formed the legendary quartet Big Four with players including pianist Hachidai Nakamura and led the Japanese jazz scene.
Kawaguchi also played with a number of famous international jazz players including the legendary Art Blakey, Branford Marsalis and Slide Hampton.
Pamela MacCarthy and George Kawaguchi
George Kawaguchi came to hear me perform
at one of the various live houses I was appearing in in the early 90's.
A little man with a twinkle in his eyes,
he had a laugh that made me feel welcome.
George took me on tour with him and his New Big Four +1 jazz combo,
as the "girl singer"...
From one end of Japan to the other,
via planes, trains, Shinkansen,& boats.
To tiny obscure places,
to the largest performance halls,
I played them with George.
He had a way of giving me space and respect,
while singing with him and the guys.
He gave 150% on the bandstand.
He played with two bass drums, and when he played his drum solo's on "Caravan", "Night In Tunisia","Sing, Sing, Sing" ,"Take the A-Train",
or any one of his many numbers.
The audiences just loved him, and us!
Return engagements, year after year,
extravagant dinners, flowers-
The bouquets I would take home!
I worked many Xmas shows with George.
All the shows, the laughs, the er... hangovers!
He always asked me to sing Autumn Leaves.
All the laughs I had with the New Big Four + 1 combo.
It featured: Hideo Ichikawa- piano, Seichi Nakamura- tenor sax, Hitoshi Okano- trumpet, Mizuhashi "Gon" Takahashi- bass.
I will never, ever forget George Kawaguchi.
I will miss you Georgie, when those Autumn leaves start to fall...
Till next time... 'Mela
1:12 AM
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Photo: Michio Yves Ueda
