Michael Pronko - The Japan Times

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Michael Pronko

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Michael Pronko

Michael Pronko writes essays for ST Shukan. He also writes for his own website Jazz in Japan, as well as for Newsweek Japan and Artscape Japan. He has published three books of essays about Tokyo and teaches American literature, culture and film at Meiji Gakuin University.

For Michael Pronko's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

May 29, 2005

Pupy y Los Que Son Son: "Mi Timba 'Cerra' "

Cesar "Pupy" Pedroso's fiery style of Cuban music blends dance-floor energy and musical intelligence. Taking off from where the popular Los Van Van (with whom Pedroso played keyboards for years) left off, Pedroso has started out on his own, if you can call a man accompanied by a wild 15-piece band as being "on his own." Like Los Van Van, who toured the world in the 80s and 90s, Pedroso is equally intent on spreading the gospel of Cuban son, songa, salsa and timba with his latest "Mi Timba 'Cerra' ."

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

May 22, 2005

Saxophonist Joe Lovano knows just how to rough up a bop number, wail like a bird of prey and keep each and every note right on target. Too young to have fully joined the free jazz movement and too old to be a slick self-promoter, Lovano relies instead on straight-on integrity. He knows people don't come out to hear any one single style as much as they come to hear quality music. You'll be able to witness that dedication and craft when he comes to Tokyo next week.

CULTURE / Music

May 15, 2005

Ron Levy's Wild Kingdom: "Voodoo Boogaloo"

Ron Levy's past work ranged from tight trad organ trio to blast-the-rafters big band funk. Lately, he's added jam-band grooves to his repertoire. From the first beat of his latest release, "Voodoo Boogaloo," he gets right into a good-time vibe and never lets up.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Stage

May 11, 2005

The eternal flamenco

The fiery folk art of flamenco is more than just a dance -- it's an entire culture. And that culture -- the dances, songs, guitar-playing and rhythms -- are all fueled by the mysterious spirit of duende.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

May 8, 2005

Torch is a four-piece group dedicated to jazz vocal classics performed with sleek retro cool. Rather than just re-create the past, though, they inject a fresh sexiness into their music. Even amid the recent vocal jazz boom, they have their own unique take on the genre that relies on earnest analog values and which is wonderfully captured on two CDs to date. Torch will play a handful of dates throughout Japan starting next week.

CULTURE / Music

May 1, 2005

Kurt Rosenwinkel: "Deep Song"

Kurt Rosenwinkel plays guitar with a fluid, mellow voice all his own. On his sixth outing, "Deep Song," he is joined by a stellar quartet, including saxophonist Joshua Redman and pianist Brad Mehldau, who enhance Rosenwinkel's cool, cerebral compositions to great effect.

CULTURE / Music

Apr 24, 2005

Yosuke Yamashita

Yosuke Yamashita is one of Japan's most respected pianists. He tours constantly and seems to fill up any venue, whether in Japan, the States or Europe. Rather than settling into a comfy niche, though, Yamashita stays in motion, moving easily between bop-inflected romps, intricate modal vamps and cathartic free-jazz flights, while never losing his audience.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Apr 17, 2005

The Jim Seeley/ Arturo O'Farrill Quintet

Bop meets blues meets Latin is an act of musical juggling, but the new release by trumpeter Jim Seeley and pianist Arturo O'Farrill keeps all those styles flying. The pairing of Kansas native Seeley with Latin jazz veterans might also seem a tough balancing act, but this quintet pulls it off as well.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Apr 10, 2005

If poets are the unacknowledged statesmen of the world, musicians are the unacknowledged healers. Jazz violinist Billy Bang is a great example. After studying classical violin as a teenager and playing in bands through college, his career was put on hold -- to say the least -- after he was drafted and sent to Vietnam. But from that experience has grown a powerful curative force in his life and music. This week Bang brings his uncompromising style of jazz to Japan.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Apr 3, 2005

Jesse van Ruller

Although Holland has one of the best jazz scenes in the world, the number of Dutch musicians who have made an impression outside of Europe is surprisingly small. One who has made it "out" is guitarist Jesse van Ruller, who brings his trio to Japan for a rare tour this week.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Mar 27, 2005

Sonny Landreth: "Grant Street"

After regular studio-made blues outings over the last decade, slide-guitar genius Sonny Landreth finally releases a great live CD.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music / JAZZNICITY

Mar 27, 2005

Swing is the thing for bassist Nakamura

Not many Japanese jazz musicians have played in front of a President of the United States, but Kengo Nakamura is one. After leaving his hometown of Osaka to study at Boston's esteemed Berklee College of Music in 1988, where he switched from electric to acoustic bass, and struggling for a while to find gigs, he has become one of the most in-demand bassists in New York City. His rock-solid swing and lyrical soloing also caught the ear of Wynton Marsalis, notorious for his high standards, who invited him to join his septet.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Mar 13, 2005

Kaki King spent plenty of time busking in subway stations, coffeehouses and small New York clubs in the '90s. But with two critically acclaimed CDs under her belt, she now has roadies to haul up on stage her largish collection of electric, acoustic and steel guitars. She plays all these with a sophisticated style in the best tradition of solo finger-picked guitar. A worthy successor to guitar masters like Leo Kottke, John Fahey and Michael Hedges, she brings her unique playing to Japan this week.

CULTURE / Music

Mar 6, 2005

Lenine: "Lenine in Cite: Ao Vivo"

This live recording by Lenine, one of Brazil's best singer-songwriters, has little of the delicate acoustics or subtle, lilting rhythms of early bossa nova performers. In short, don't expect the dulcet tones of "Girl from Ipenama." Recorded live in Paris, "In Cite" is a powerful blend of Brazil's northeast rhythms, lovely melodic songwriting and dynamic live performances.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Feb 27, 2005

Harvie S.: "Texas Rumba"

Several years ago, Harvie S. made the switch from a career as in-demand straight jazz bassist to playing Latin jazz exclusively. This high-energy live recording shows he made the right decision. Having long backed leaders such as Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval and Chico O'Farrill, Harvie S. has Latin experience to burn alongside his highly polished jazz chops.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Feb 20, 2005

Madeline Peyroux: "Careless Love"

Madeline Peyroux sounds like Billie Holiday, but in all the right ways. Peyroux's singing is a genuine derivation, though, like a grandchild cherishing the meanings found in a box of long-lost vocal mementos. She has her influences and isn't afraid to hide them.

CULTURE / Music

Feb 13, 2005

Julius Hemphill Sextet: "The Hard Blues, Live in Lisbon"

Julius Hemphill died in 1995 but his revolutionary approach to saxophone lives on in this all-sax sextet dedicated to his music. Hemphill is best known as co-founder in the 1970s of the World Saxophone Quartet, a group who managed the rare trick of remaining resolutely, some might say stridently, avant-garde and yet somewhat popular, by jazz standards.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Feb 13, 2005

A brass band perfect for any occasion

One of the enduring images of New Orleans is the jazz funeral, a long procession of mourners walking toward the cemetery with a full-piece brass band playing along behind. On their most recent release, "Funeral for a Friend," the Dirty Dozen Brass Band re-creates this jazz funeral with gusto. Perhaps their best work to date, the Dirty Dozen dedicated the CD to the late tuba player and DDBB member, Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen, and this month they will bring their unique style of New Orleans' music to Japan.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jan 30, 2005

McLaughlin: a mind-set for music

Guitarist John McLaughlin burst onto the jazz scene in the 1960s as a member of Miles Davis' cutting-edge electric groups. On famed works like "In a Silent Way," "Bitches' Brew" and "Jack Johnson," his guitar work very much helped define Miles' sound. Then in the early '70s, his own jazz-rock fusion group, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, became immensely popular and highly influential through melding together musical concepts from various genres. And McLaughlin's playing was loud, fast and intense. He became, in short, the electric guitarist to listen to.

Japan Times

CULTURE / Music

Jan 30, 2005

Someday in Shinbashi jazz festival

Few jazz club stages in Tokyo fit anything larger than a quartet, much less a full 16-piece big band. The jazz club Someday in Shinbashi, though, has not only the space but the wherewithal to offer two weeks of the city's best big jazz bands. Though performances of full-size bands aren't rare, this annual pre-springtime rite brings out the tightest ensemble work of the year.

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

When trying to trace your lineage in Japan, the "koseki" is the most important form of document you'll encounter.

Climbing the branches of a Japanese family tree

By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

Prize winner Maki Imoto catches light with glass

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