3/29 Tous Les Duex, Kyoto

The tour kick off!!!!!

our first show was at Kyoto's French cafe, Tous Les Duex.
very small cafe, only fits about 12 people.  we did two sets and both were packed!!

Aki and I both did couple of solos and duo set.  just playing with him is pure fun, nothing more to say!! I was so glad to see some happy faces from the Japanese people!! Kyoto is not really affected by the disaster but it's still on the news EVERY SINGLE day and you get tired of watching those things...

anyhow, in the break... we had to get some CAKE!!  real French style dessert from the Japanese patissier studied in Paris!!

oh,,,, it was sooooo good!!!!
and here's that chef :

we are going to play here 2 more times during the tour!!! more cake is on the way lol

the tour continues today at Kyoto's cozy hub, Aunoun Parlor!
This is Aki's home ground.  It's been an year since i played here and i know it's gonna be great!

Rock on~~~~

To KYOTO!

I safely made it to Kyoto by a mid nite express bus!!

in the past two days, my total travel time is more than 21 hrs and the distance is about 6900 miles

ughh..... lol i really don't know if my body is in nite shift or morning shift lol

lucky me, will take a whole day of rest.
and tmrw,, the tour starts in Kyoto!!!

yesterday, i had rehearsal with my berklee buddy for the show on 4/8.
it's been long since i've played real SMOOTH JAZZ but it's sure fan!!!

very very ADULT contemporary lol

To Tokyo

Got to Tokyo, safe and sound!!!

14hrs of flight, and buses and trains but it wasn't that long after all.

 Tokyo is very chill, and remains as is as i know it.
I heard from friends that there is still after shocks like once in three days.

I had to deliver one luggage, which usually comes the next day,
but they told me that it might take 2 or 3 days to come because there is still working on getting electricity and gas working as usual.  we have to share those to the north where they need it the most.

I got a rehearsal tmrw, and leaving for Kyoto on a midnite bus.

Tour kick of on the 29th!!!

on going love

So the past two days, I been playing in my usual places and collecting donations from people for Red Cross to support Japan.

I have never been happier in my life.
I was able to collect another $250.  This is from just one open mic and a jam session, not my shows.

Again, thank you thank you thank you
all of you that put money in my little shoebox. 
many people I know, are caring so much about my country and sharing me their stories.

Also, I've realize or should i say re-realized that music is directly related to peace.
All the places i play, and the chance i get to play music from the first place,
if peace is not there, music won't happen.

Thank you Scotties Coffee and Palmer Moore for hosting a Finger-picker's Jam session every tuesday.  Thank you Woodland's Tavern and Listening Lamp Production for hosting awesome open mics every wednesdays!!!

The total amount donation: $670

Japan

It is facing it's most difficult time.

My mission, as a lucky one to not experience this incident and was safe outside of my home country, is to continue music as usual, and raise money for them at my pace.


Last Saturday, I was able to do charity concert all day, and was able to collect about $420.
i can't thank enough for the people that donated, and people that helped me do these concerts.
Thank you Zencha, and thank you Ralph at Java Central.  All went to Red Cross on sunday.


little announcement,,
i have postponed my trip to japan tour.
i had no plans to go north, but the incident is affecting the whole country.
Tokyo is lacking food, electricity.  it's mostly been passed to the epic centers.
I have talked to my aunt, who lives there and was planning to go to here place first,
but what got me the most was the stress and fear they were feeling.
it is not the time for a healthy musician to arrive... yet.

i know i will have my chance.
i know there are people that needs music.
but rushing my way thru is not the answer.
i will take this extra time i had to settle down, practice and be prepared.

i will also continue to collect donations as well.  this is a long term thing.

please, help Japan.
the situation is worse than whats on the news. i've heard from the people at the site.
every little bit helps. even praying before going to sleep.

if you can help by donating, here is the red cross link

 https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052

Almost!!!!

two weeks from today....

and I'm on tour to Japan!!! I can't wait!!! overall,, i think i got 20 some shows coming up in the 2 month stay.  not too much, and still have some time to sight seeing visit family.

it really feels like this year is running fast,,, It's March already and 1/4 of 2011 is over....yikes!!!!!!!

I've been driving a lot recently,,,
try to explore all over Ohio, going to Dayton, Cleveland to check out there open mic and music scene.  yes, it's not the most brilliant idea when the gas idea is rising like crazy, but it sure is precious experience to meet ppl thru music.  there some good places to play out there too!

speaking of playing, come check out Scotties this Saturday!! last scotties show before the tour!!!

special guest: Gloria Eubanks will present you with some bluesy pops and she does rock!!!