A Celebration of Asian American Jazz September 10, 2011

Join us for a celebration of jazz in San Francisco's Japantown. Japantown's location next to the "Harlem of the West", the Fillmore has led to it becoming a hotbed for cutting edge jazz throughout the years. There are many vibrant musicians and groups that have grownup on the music and now push it forward by incorporating Japanese instruments into their sound. To celebrate this community and sounds we've recruited three leading groups of musicians from Japantown to celebrate. We'll also launch the celebration with an opening by Taiko performance by Genryu Arts Gen Ensemble.

Performing:
Asian American Jazz Trio
Consisting of critically acclaimed musicians Anthony Brown, Mark Izu and Masura Koga, they blends the sonorities and improvisational approaches of the jazz tradition with Asian musical instruments and sensibilities. Since 1997, the trio are leaders in San Francisco's Asian American creative music movement and founded the Asian American Jazz Orchestra (AAJO). They have performed in collaboration with San Jose Taiko.

Bob Kenmotsu
Bob was a member of the Jack McDuff organ combo, and the Ruth Brown Band. He recorded 'The Spark', with Billy Hart and Ira Coleman, and 'Bronx Tale', with Pat Martino and Jack McDuff. In 1994, Bob went to Japan on a Japan/US Fellowship cultural exchange grant, and lived there until 1997. While there, he played many clubs, concerts, festivals, and toured the country several times

The Francis Wong Unit
Few musicians are as accomplished as Francis Wong, considered one of "the great saxophonists of his generation" by the late jazz critic Phil Elwood. A prolific recording artist, Wong is featured on more than forty titles as a leader and sideman.
Genryu Arts
GenRyu Arts mission is to promote, present and participate in Japanese and Japanese American culture through Taiko (Japanese Drumming) and other traditional and contemporary music and dance forms.

Official Website: http://www.sfjapantown.org/