Music

Ukulele Source Opens Its Doors in San Jose Japantown

rie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:23:12 -0800

by BARBARA HIURA
Hokubei Mainichi

SAN JOSE— The musical stylings of renowned ukulele player Herb Ohta Jr. and slack key guitarist Keoki Kahumoku made the Ukulele Source grand opening in San Jose’s Japantown the place to be on the sunny Sunday afternoon of Oct. 5.

What could be better then listening to great Hawaiian music, eating Hawaiian food, and celebrating the one and only ukulele retail shop in the Bay Area, located right in the heart of Japantown?

On the Road With ‘SYTYCD’

james — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:56:20 -0800

Katee Taira Shean, who finished third on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance,” is currently on a national tour with 10 of the other top dancers from the show.

The California leg of the tour included stops at HP Pavilion in her hometown of San Jose on Sept. 25; the Honda Center in Anaheim on Sept. 27; the San Diego Sports Arena on Sept. 28; Oracle Arena in Oakland on Sept. 30; Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Oct. 1; ARCO Arena in Sacramento on Oct. 2; and SaveMart Center in Fresno on Oct. 5.

Choral Project Releases CD

rie — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 16:42:40 -0700

SAN JOSE —The Choral Project, directed by Daniel Hughes, celebrated the released of its latest CD, “Tell the World,” a live recording of spirituals and traditional gospel music, with an open house on Oct. 19.

The group has received rave reviews from, among others, the San Jose Mercury News, which said, “There’s nothing subtle about why this is one of the best-sounding choirs you’ll ever hear.”

Berkeley Symphony's Nagano Says Farewell

rie — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:51:14 -0700

BERKELEY — Maestro Kent Nagano, who has been with the Berkeley Symphony for 30 years, conducted his last concert as music director on Sept. 18 at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall.

The evening included a piece commissioned by the symphony’s board for the occasion, Kurt Rohde’s “Bis Bald” (German for “see you soon”) and the presentation of a proclamation by Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates. Kathleen Henschel, the symphony’s board president, also recognized Nagano.

Kent Nagano's Last Appearance as Symphony's Music Director

james — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700

BERKELEY — Internationally acclaimed, Grammy-winning conductor Kent Nagano will make his final appearance as music director of the Berkeley Symphony on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 8 p.m. at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall.

Mozart’s final symphony (No. 41, “Jupiter”) and Bruckner’s Seventh Symphony bring to a close one of classical music’s most remarkable tenures. For 30 years, California-born Nagano has led orchestras across Europe and North America, yet he always remained committed to the unique orchestra that gave him his start.

Local JA Makes Cut on ‘So You Think You Can Dance’

james — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

LOS ANGELES — Katee Taira Shean is among the top 20 finalists on the Fox show “So You Think You Can Dance,” which will have a two-hour episode on Wednesday, June 11, at 8 p.m.

Hosted by Cat Deeley, the show features dancers skilled in everything from the street styles of hip-hop, krumping and popping to ballroom styles like salsa, quickstep and jive.

Last season, after Sabra Johnson was named America’s favorite dancer, the top 10 dancers embarked on a cross-country, 50-city performance tour.

Jazz's Hiromi Strives for ‘Beyond Standard’

james — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700

by LEFTERIS KAFATOS
Hokubei Mainichi

Japanese music sensation Hiromi is known for her dynamic jazz performances, as seen at the concert she gave here in San Francisco last April at the Palace of Fine Arts Theater. Now the artist has released a new album called “Beyond Standard” by Hiromi and Hiromi’s Sonicbloom.

The album features nine tracks played by Hiromi on piano and keyboards, with David Fiuczynski on guitar, Tony Grey on bass, and Martin Valihora on drums.

Love Psychedelico visits J-Town

james — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The popular Japanese rock band Love Psychedelico visited San Francisco’s Japantown on May 17 for a CD signing in front of Kinokuniya Bookstore. Dozens of fans lined up to meet Naoki (guitars, bass guitars, keyboards) and Kumi (vocals, guitars), who are promoting their seventh album and their first to be released in the U.S., “This Is Love Psychedelico — U.S. Best,” as well as a new DVD, “Golden Grapefruit Box.”

The two have toured Asia and are now setting their sights on the U.S. and Europe. For more information, visit www.lovepsychedelico.net/english/pro/index.html.

Lyrics Born Not Just Another Rapper

lkafatos — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

by JAMES WOODARD
Hokubei Mainichi

The Bay Area has always been a vortex for talented musicians, producers and entrepreneurs. Those savvy enough might be able to land a hit on the local charts. If you play your cards right, maybe more.

But local rapper/producer/musician Lyrics Born has had numerous hits, not only on Bay Area hip-hop stations, but on Live 105 as well. Heﾕs had his likeness included in video games, and has produced and performed with numerous Bay Area musicians.

Koto Workshop for Kids

james — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, 1840 Sutter St. in San Francisco Japantown, will offer a koto workshop for kids 6 to 12 years of age on Sunday, May 4, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The workshop will cover the general History of the koto; reigi (manners); proper set-up and cleaning of the koto; how to read notes; and how to play the koto.