feel.write.read by mamiko » NB Lounge

Goodbye, NB Lounge – It’s just like that

Mamiko — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:48:53 +0000

Almost 2 years and a half. Just like that.
My time to graduate from the lounge came anticipated with the lounge’s
long vacation (in other words, the closure.)
I believe there’s nothing permanent, and things are always moving forward.
This is a part of “that” stream.

I had so much fun at this place, and learned a lot.
I really want to thank everyone who came out and supported the music.
And of course, I must thank all the people who performed there with me,
especially, Toru, who went through many things with me.
I really appreciate your musical and mental support :)

Now, what’s on my plate?

My August now is dedicated to preparation of my recording scheduled in the end of September. Which will be a sort of comprehensive collection of Mamiko-Toru Duo’s work built in these years. I am very excited about this and hoping I can release it in Spring of 2012.

Also, my quartet will be back in Tomi Jazz in the 3rd week of September. It’s the same group as you’ve experienced back in June (Toru, Steve, and Tomo). That’s another fun thing awaits in this Fall.

Speaking of Fall, I will be in Japan in November, and the schedule is almost filled. I am so much looking forward to see people in Japan. In this year, I will feature Jun Furuya on piano (as of now, 3 gigs are with him). FYI, I didn’t forget to book a duo gig with Satoshi (how can I skip that!?) Say… the Party’s ON!

If you haven’t left your email at my mailing list, that’s the best way to find out where I am playing for the next. (You can’t show up at NB and ask me in person anymore!) Please drop your email address at mamiko.fanbridge.com

August/September Schedule

Mamiko — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 02:44:22 +0000

Maybe I am addicted to NY1. Being addicted may not be a perfect word… but for now, I will take it ‘cos it works. Keeping cable plan just to feed my NY1 urge is my big question on my monthly household budget. To be precise, just to keep myself available in the morning for Pat and Roger, I am paying easily $60 or more monthly – and checking the weather included. I guess it’s $2 per day if I converts it to daily. $2 a day. I can’t even judge if $2 a day is luxe or not (haha!). I guess again I am going to keep you, Pat and Roger for this month and accept myself being one of many NY1 addicts…

Speaking of weather, this Monday, the 8th has a sunny mark on the forecast. No rain on Monday is totally welcomed by NB Lounge! Despite we have still no piano at the lounge, we continue our music from 8PM – 11PM (I appreciate Toru’s effort for bringing his keyboard!) As usual, there’s no cover charge nor minimum. Please join us, grab your fav. drink, and chill.

Monday, August 8
at NB Lounge

NB Lounge at the Lombardy Hotel
from 8PM to 11PM

111 E56th Street
(bet. Park and Lex)
New York, NY 10022

Just a heads-up for September…

I will be back to Tomi Jazz on Wednesday, September 21 with the same band from the last June, Toru Dodo on piano, Steve Whipple on bass, and Tomoaki Kanno on drums. I have a really good feeling about performing in quartet, and want to seek more opportunities along with my other projects. Your support showing up at Tomi Jazz, for instance, means a lot to me. Please mark your calendar on 9/21, and continue your support not just for Mamiko 4 and “live jazz” in New York.

Big Thank You & Monday Shout-Out

Mamiko — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:33:53 +0000

Oh, what a night it was!
I had a great time on the last Wednesday at Tomi Jazz.
It was nice to see you all, and appreciate your support deeply!
I hope I can bring the group back sometimes in early Fall
- that’s what I am planning, seeking, and… all those stuff.

Aaaaaand!

Today is Monday, the last Monday of June.
My NB Monday is still here – safe and sound.
Come to hear us at NB Lounge.
Toru and I, will be there from 8PM to 11PM.
We will feed our music to your soul,
and Taralynne, the lady, will quench your thirst.

Monday, June 27
at NB Lounge
from 8PM to 11PM

Mamiko Taira

Toru Dodo

No Cover/No Minimum

NB Lounge at the Lombardy
111 E56th Street
(bet Park and Lex)
New York, NY 10022

FYI, the next Monday, July 4th is no Music in NB Lounge.
If you miss us tonight, you won’t have us until… Monday, July 11.
Now, that’s a good reason to come out tonight. Yes?

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Are you interested to be on my mailing list?
I send out emails twice a month in average.
Please add your email at the website below if you’re interested :)
http://mamiko.fanbridge.com

Monday at NB Lounge, Wednesday at Tomi Jazz

Mamiko — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 04:49:29 +0000

Just because I sent out emails on my mailing list
about this coming Wednesday’s gig at Tomi Jazz,
that doesn’t mean I forgot about my NB Monday.
Because I am listening to Yuming to learn songs for the event on July 7th,
that doesn’t make me forget about my Monday either.

Monday is Monday,
but with the Music, Monday is always special…

Monday, June 20
8PM to 11PM

at NB Lounge
on E56th St bet Park and Lex
(a part of the Lombardy Hotel)
New York, NY 10022

No Cover, No Minimum

Then, Wednesday, the 22nd.
According to the weather news, this week is filled with rainy days.
Wednesday isn’t the exception – sadly.
I am really, really hoping the miracle will bring the clear night for us.

Wednesday, June 22
from 9PM to 11:30PM

at Tomi Jazz
on 239 E 53rd St bet 2nd 3rd Avenues
(at the lower level)
New York, NY 10022

$10 cover, $10 minimum

Lastly, but kind of important news…

Today, on Monday, June 20, the ADVANCE TICKETS for Yuming Things 2
goes on sale from 9AM EDT at the following website.
When you buy it in advance, you will save $5.
Each show is $10 in advance.

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/183485

Time Remembered (2003) Mamiko 4

Mamiko — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 21:13:07 +0000

Time Remembered (2003) Mamiko 4 < click the title!
Recorded and Mastered at One Soul Studios

あら、こんなことしてたのねー、ワタシ、って感じです。

自分のレパートリーにマイナー・キーの曲が極端に少ないのは
周知の事実＆毎回、毎回ギグでいつも困ること。
シンガーによっては、アルバム全曲、気が付けばマイナーでした、
っていうの方だって居るっていうのに！

マイナー・キー、短調の曲って、
普通にさらり演奏するだけでも、なんとなく形になるというか、
聞かせ栄えがある、座りの良いものが多いって常々感じるのですが、
それと同時に、誰が演奏しても何気に似てる匂いがしてしまう、
雰囲気がみな一緒の次元に収まってしまって、
個性を出したり、自分らしく演奏することに苦労するなぁ、とも。

例えば、Round Midnightであったり、
Angel Eyesであったり、Yesterdays、Summer Time…
もちろん、これらの曲はたくさんの人に愛されて
世には素晴らしい演奏が数々残っていますが、
曲、そのものが醸し出す空気といえばいいのかな？
そゆものが演奏する側を抑える形で非常に強く主張してくる。
だから、ものすごくキチンと向かい合わないと、
曲に負けてしまう、それがワタシの持つマイナー・キーの曲への
generalな印象です。
（別に、メジャー・キーが簡単とか容易っていう意味ではないですよ！）

語弊があってはいけないですが、あえて突っ込んで言えば、
マイナーの曲って、例えば、ジャズ歴の浅いシンガーに歌わせると
即席、平たい意味でジャズっぽくなる、っていうか（笑）。
それは察するに、曲、そのものが持つ力の賜物で、
シンガー自体が完全に曲に乗っ取られてるから、なんではないかと思うんですけども。
（キツー！）

そんな少ないマイナーのレパートリーの中で、
しっくり、自分のレパートリーに入ってきたものが、この
Time Rememberedというエバンスの曲。
何度も、エバンスの演奏で聞いていたのにも関わらず、
楽譜を開いて、ピアノの座った瞬間、
このフィールが手に下りてきて、あれよ、あれよと言う間に
しっくりと、自分だからこういう風に唄える、唄うんだ、というものが
形になった、あの感じは今でも忘れません。

今唄ったら、もうちょっと安定していて、いい感じになるかもしれないですね、
もしも良いバンドが組めて、録音するチャンスが巡ってきて、
もう一度、やってみようって気分になったら、ですけども！

今日は、月曜日。
夜は、NB Loungeです。
お天気も良いですから、皆さま、遊びに来てくださいね。

Monday, June 6
at NB Lounge
8PM to 11PM

No Cover, No Minimum (beauty!)

NB Lounge is located on
111 E56th St
(between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10022
at the Lombardy Hotel

June Schedule

Mamiko — Tue, 31 May 2011 21:08:43 +0000

June and July look like a kind of
“mentally and musically occupied months” to be – at least in my book.
A handful of great surprises awaits…

For tomorrow, Wednesday, June 1, Bonz Satoh Quartet kicks off the month of June right (every first Wednesday of the month). “G-Bar” is a Bronx local favorite harmoniously neighbors next to East Harlem across the river, and it is a part of an Italian Restaurant, Giovanni’s. You can take 2, 4, or 5 trains and get off at 149th St & Grand Concourse. Or take a cross town bus, M 19 from West/East Harlem if you are an uptowner. Bonz Satoh 4 is Bonz Satoh on Sax, Akiko Tsuruga on Organ, Luciana Padmore on drums, and Mamiko Taira on vocal.

Monday Jazz at NB Lounge runs from 8PM till 11PM on every Monday, and my regular pianist Toru Dodo will be here the entire month of June except Monday, June 13. I am positive he will be away often in Summer like any other Summer, so be sure to catch us together in June.

Who’s going to play for the 13th? For now, I am undecided, and I may even consider doing solo gig on that day just for fun. (how unusual the occasion would be?) Please come back to this site to check to see if I made up my mind doing it or got someone for that day. OR you will be notified if you add yourself to my mailing list :) Drop me a line: mamiko@mmkmmk.com

Fanfare, please!

On Wednesday, June 22, I will be at Tomi Jazz from 9-11:30PM. For this time, 3 outstanding musicians are with me: Toru Dodo on piano, Steve Whipple on bass, and Tomoaki Kanno on drums. It is a great pleasure to work with them, and I am looking forward to playing at Tomi Jazz.

Besides I had performed in Japan in last year, I haven’t present any performance in my own quartet setting. I believe the last time I had my leader quatert gig in the US was… 2 years ago. It’s about a time, isn’t it? I think so, too.

AND a sneak blurb…

In last year, 2010, on March 3, Yuming Things were held at the Triad Theater presented 16 musical gems from Yumi Matsutoya songbook performed by 4 jazz singers backed with the finest Japanese jazz men in New York. It was a great success that gave us overwhelming responses from audiences to musicians. I, as the project lead, couldn’t decide if this show should give one more shot as the series or just leave it as one time only deal. I gave a lot of thought and decided to do it again, and for this time, I will go with a simple and small, but mighty quartet to deliver our acoustic rendition of Yumi (Arai) Matsutoya music teamed up with Senri Oe as a musical collaborator and Hiroshi Kono of Mar Creation as a production collaborator. In addition, we’ll have Yoshi Waki on bass and Yutaka Uchida on drums to complete the band.

I would like you to mark your calendar on Thursday, July 7 from 7 to 11. More details to come. Please stay tuned. This year’s Tanabata is going to be very special…

June 2011

Mondays, June 6, 20, and 27

NB Lounge

Monday, June 13
@NB Lounge from 8PM to 11PM
TBA
* I may end up doing Solo. Let’s see…

111 E56th Street
(between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10022
No Cover, No Minimum

Wednesday, June 22
@ Tomi Jazz from 9PM to 11:30PM
239 East 53rd Street, Lower Level
(Bet 2nd and 3rd Avenue)
New York, NY 10022

Mamiko Taira (vocal)
Toru Dodo (piano)
Steve Whipple (bass)
and Tomoaki Kanno (drums)

Never Let Me Go (2006) Mamiko in Duo

Mamiko — Fri, 13 May 2011 21:34:21 +0000

Never Let Me Go (2003) Mamiko in Duo < Click the link!
Recorded and Mastered at Bennett Studios

古いデモを聞き返す、自分的流行は未だ廃れず、今日はNever Let Me Goを。
ライブであまり唄わないのに、録音にはなってるっていう、
ワタシのレパートリーの中では「不思議なもの」系。
実は、不思議でもなんでもなくて、どうも歌詞が飛びやすい（忘れやすい）ので
よっぽど気持が落ち着いてないとコールしない曲、っていうのが正しい。
（ワタシは歌詞の覚えが異常に悪い上、平気でその場で歌詞をでっち上げて、
良い代替歌詞wwwがスッと浮かばない時は、もちろん、スキャットで埋め、
何食わ～ぬ顔をして唄います。はい、そういうヤツです、タイラマミコは。笑）

話をタイトルトラックに戻しますが。

記憶に正しければ、この録音、ピアノのダンはこの曲に馴染みがあまりなく、
同じ日に録音したほかの曲に比べて、あまり乗り気では無かったというか、
あんまり彼的には出来に満足していないというか、
申し訳無さそうに、え、こんなんでいいの？みたいなことを言っていた。
合計で何回録音したか、ちょっと覚えていないが、
多分、２、３回録音して、結局、一番最初に録音したトラックを選んだ（このトラック）。

一番最初に録音したものが採用される確立って、
一般的に多いんじゃないだろうか。
録音の3割打者みたいな（笑）。

同じようなケースで思い出深いのは、ニューヨークに来てから
最初に録音したデモで、どどさんと録ったToo Late Now。
デュオで、一度しか録音しなかった。
なんか録音した後、録りなおす気が起きなくて、
何も根拠はないんだけれど、これでいい、って思えて。
結果、このトラックが後に、オンライン上で開かれた
ジャズのコンペでファイナルまで残った想い出の曲になったんだけれども。
むちゃくちゃ、未熟な時代の録音なんだが、
なんか、今より大人っぽい声で、発音の甘さはあるものの、
なーんか、確かにいい空気は流れているっていうか。
懐かしいなー。Too Late Nowも、そのうち、ここで公開しようと思ってるので、
気になる方は、ブログの更新を気長にチェックしていてくださいませ。

そして、月曜日のラウンジは、雨でも、嵐でも、めげずにやりますよ！
皆さん、雨宿りがてら、今度の月曜日はNB Loungeへ。
（え、だって、物凄い雨になるらしいですよ、、、
ワタシの晴れオンナぶり、発揮できますかね？どうでしょうね？）

Monday, May 16

NB Lounge

8PM to 11PM

Toru Dodo

No Cover, No Minimum

Monday, 4/25, body & soul (2010), etc.

Mamiko — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 17:54:01 +0000

Monday Jazz at NB Lounge on April 25:

Mamiko Taira

Toru Dodo

From 7:30PM-ish till 11PM
No Cover, No Minimum

NB Lounge
111 E56th Street
(bet. Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10022

HAPPY EASTER!

It’s nothing to do with Easter, but I thought of attaching this onto today’s blog.
It’s Body and Soul from my demo tracks recorded in 2010.

I was listening to the music on my iPhone/iPod in shuffle mode
in this morning (my usual dog walk), and this one was played.
On purpose I haven’t listened this track for a long time
because I have listened so much at the time of “screening” before mastering.
It wouldn’t be too much to say that I became not liking it.

Today, I felt differently.
How marvelous the time and its mending power!
Here is “Body and Soul” recorded in early 2010.

Body and Soul (2010) Mamiko Recorded at 58N6 Media Labs/ Mastered by Sakuraphon

イースターそのものにも全く関連のないものだけれど、
今日のブログに載っけてみようかな、と思いました。
昨年、2010年に録音したデモから、Body and Soulです。

今朝の散歩中に（いつもの犬歩き）、iPhoneのiPod（って表現で合ってますかね？）で
シャッフルモードで音楽を聴いていたら、この曲が流れました。
随分長い間この曲は聞いていませんでした。もちろん、意図的に。
あまりにも沢山、何度となくこの曲をマスタリング前に聞いてしまった故、
このカットが嫌いになった、聞くのが嫌になった、と言っても
決して言い過ぎではないといった感じ。
でも、今日聞いたら、そんな風には思いませんでした。
時間の持つ、（自分とこの録音との）関係修復力のスゴさを思い知らされました（笑）。

“IN PLAY”

I made a habit of “thinking” as a favorite “play.”
Like wood blocks kids play, I play “thinking.”
My head is perhaps sandbox or jungle gym – I mean it’s just an analogy.

考え事がいつの日からか癖というか、それは一種の遊びになりました。
子供が積み木で遊ぶように、ワタシは考え事をして遊びます。
ワタシの頭の中は、ひょっとして砂場であったり、ジャングルジムのようなものなのかも。
もちろん、これは単なるものの例えですが。

Like puzzle, each piece has certain meaning and function.
Significant pieces,
Small, but indispensable pieces,
Big and simple pieces,
Happy or funny pieces…
and so on.

パズルのように、それぞれのピースには意味や役目があります。
重要なピースもあれば、
小さいけれども、欠かすことの出来ないピースもあるし、
大きく、ざっくりとしたピース、
ハピーなピース、笑えるビースもある、といった感じです。

However, as part of my 2011′s resolutions, I promised myself
to go with my instinct rather than thinking
(being moderate is OK, but not being excessive.)
I guess being instinctive still counts as the act of thinking,
but it feels like much more prompt, direct, and intuitive.

（そんなワタシ）ですが、今年の自分の目標として、
熟考よりも本能を優先するというのがあり
（適度な思考遊びはよいけれども、過度にならないように）。
本能で動くこと自体は、それでも一種の思考ではあると思うけれど、
それは、もっと瞬発的で、直接的で、直感的に感ぜられるわけです。

The time is close to end the 4th chapter of the year.
Flipping through the pages of the book (of my experiment being instinctive),
it tells me that sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t work.
However, no guilty feeling of “why I didn’t do this and do that” was left.
The aftertaste of being instinctive is quite invigorating.

時は既に４月、もう４ヶ月も過ぎたんですね。
ここまでの本能優先の実験を振り返って見ると、
本能的になることが良く作用したものもあれば、
良く作用したとは言いがたいものもありますが、
不思議と、（本能的に動いたことの）後味は爽快であります。

Sat 4/2 CP, Mon 4/4 NB, and Wed 4/6 GB – WHAT!?

Mamiko — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:29:35 +0000

These are NOT a secret code – at least, I have no intention to be a secret. Screaming and shouting, kicking and jumping, it is going to be an interesting week for me.

This Saturday, April 2nd is at Central Park’s Naumburg Band Shell with Toru Dodo (piano) doing duo work. Miki Hirose (trumpet) will join us on couple of tunes which I am highly excited about. Little twists on this gig are (1) it is a charity concert and other talented artists will share the stage with us and (2) we will mainly do Japanese songs with our own interpretations. The weather is supposed to be fine for tomorrow. Come to the bandshell by noon, then let’s make the history together!

And on Monday, the 4th at NB Lounge, Yoshi Waki (bass) is back and do some duo with me. I believe the last time Yoshi came to the lounge was back in November (was it?). Singing with just bass is totally a thrill, and at the same time, it can be called a self test of own musicianship (s-e-r-i-o-u-s-ly. You know what I mean, yes?). Be the witness and see how far we’ll go (or fly!). If you are courageous enough, please sit in at the 3rd set ;)

Then, the excitement continues. On Wednesday, the 6th, I will be at G-Bar in Bronx with Bonz Satoh (sax), Akiko Tsuruga (organ), and Luciana Padmore (drums). I thank Bonz and Akiko who recommended me to Bonz. Clearly and positively, this will be a major burst of “girl power.” We will swing and swing all the way till the end of the night!

Saturday, April 2

Hand in Hand Project ~for Japan~

At Central Park Naumburg Bandshell (Mid-Park from 66th to 72nd Streets)

12:30PM-1:00PM
Mamiko Taira (vocal) and Toru Dodo (piano)
with the guest, Miki Hirose (trumpet)

Monday, April 4
@ NB Lounge from 7:30 PM to 11PM
111 E56th Street
(bet Park and Lexington)
New York, NY 10022

with Yoshi Waki (bass)

Wednesday, April 6
@ G-Bar
from 6 PM to 10 PM
579 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451

Bonz Satoh (sax),
Akiko Tsuruga (organ),
Luciana Padmore (drums),
Mamiko Taira (vocal)

April Schedule (and few lines of blah x3)

Mamiko — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:06:55 +0000

Before we close the third chapter of 2011,
I have one more date at NB Lounge.
How can I skip this and go on?

The very last Monday of March, on the 28th, NB Lounge will have
Art Hirahara on piano and yours truly, Mamiko on vocal.
My famous “Pray for Japan Tip Jar” continues throughout the month of March,
and the 28th isn’t the exception. All your tip jar proceeds will be donated to
Japan Disaster Relief Fund (The first 2 weeks’ donation was sent to
GlobalGiving – FYI).

Monday, March 28

NB Lounge

Mamiko Taira

Art Hirahara

No Cover/No Minimum

NB Lounge at the Lombardy Hotel
111 E56th Street
(bet Park and Lex)
New York, NY 10022

OK. Now, let’s talk about my April schedule.

In the first weekend of April,
Saturday, April 2nd at At Central Park Naumburg Bandshell.
I will be performing with Toru as part of this Japan relief charity event,
“Hand in Hand Project ~for Japan~.”
We are thinking of doing Japanese songs. (yay!)

Also, in the same event, our good friends,
Mari Koga and Chiemi Nakai will perform as well
(They will be billed as “Afronaughtica.”)
On one fine day, at one fine event in the park,
we gather together for a great cause.
Please join us at Central Park Naumburg Bandshell on
Saturday, the 2nd.

Saturday, April 2

Hand in Hand Project ~for Japan~

At Central Park Naumburg Bandshell (Mid-Park from 66th to 72nd Streets)

Afronaughtica
(Contemporary Afro-Cuban & Jazz Unit by Chiemi Nakai & Mari Koga)
Kenichi Ebina
(dancer)
Mamiko Taira + Toru Dodo
(Jazz Duo)

Monday, April 4
@ NB Lounge from 7:30 PM to 11PM
with Yoshi Waki (bass)

Wednesday, April 6
@ G-Bar
from 6 PM to 10 PM
579 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451

Bonz Satoh (sax),
Akiko Tsuruga (organ),
Luciana Padmore (drums),
Mamiko Taira (vocal)

Monday, April 11
@ NB Lounge from 7:30 PM to 11PM
with Art Hirahara (piano)

Monday, April 18
@ NB Lounge from 7:30 PM to 11PM
with Toru Dodo (piano)

Monday, April 25
@ NB Lounge from 7:30 PM to 11PM
with Toru Dodo (piano)

NB Lounge is located on
111 E56th Street
(between Park and Lexington Avenues)
New York, NY 10022
No Cover, No Minimum

Almost Spring,
almost April,
and almost weekend.
A vague line of “is” and “almost,”
its distance looks closer than we see
and farther than we feel.
This morning’s snow might be your sigh, Winter.
The sigh makes us feel guilty, and
remind us how much we tried to love you, but we couldn’t.
Don’t be sad, Winter.
You surely will come back and stay with us…