David Sanborn
Dec 2&3

The age old phrase 'every cloud has a silver lining' certainly rings true with Jazz Fusion saxophonist David Sanborn. At the age of 3 years he was struck down with polio. To help him recover from the lingering after effects of the illness a doctor suggested that he take up playing a wind instrument to strengthen his lungs. Taking the advice of his doctor Sanborn began learning the saxophone.

By twelve years old he was already proficient enough to be backing the great Albert King. It wasn't though until 1975 (18 years later) that he released his first solo album, the aptly named Taking Off.

Since then he's scored a number of films (inc. Lethal Weapon 2, 3, and 4), released over twenty more solo albums for which he's picked up two Grammy's plus guested on no end of other artists' releases.

So what is it that has made David Sanborn a commer-cially viable artist for three decades? Well, although a pure Jazz saxophonist at heart he isn't afraid of bringing elements from other genres in to his music. His sound is classic and contemporary at the same time. His music is open enough to appeal to a much wider audience than just the die-hard Sanborn fans that have followed his career over the many years.

David Sanborn released his latest album Closer at the beginning of this year and since has spent most of his time on the road. He'll be stopping by Osaka Blue Note for two nights as part of a ten-date tour of Japan. From there it's a well-earned break before hitting the live circuit yet again in the New Year.

Osaka Blue Note
Entry: ¥10,000-¥12,000 • Time: 6.30pm/9.30pm
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Fusion Sax

The Coral

Dec 5

Fresh from filling the support slot for Oasis across Europe and in between a UK tour of their own standing, The Coral are expanding their horizons with a short visit to Japan.
Hailing from the west coast of England and still only aged between 19-22 years old they have already released four albums (their first being three years ago and the latest 'The Invisible Invasion' was released in the summer of this year).
This is not their first trip to Japan and they seem to have already built up a fair following. In fact there's a Japanese website that seems to be more up to date than the band's.
As for their music it would be unjustified to label them as just another 'typical' indie band. They have great opportunities for diversity in their tunes as guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones also plays the trumpet and bassist Paul Duffy can ably handle the saxophone. The fact that the band consists of seven members really does open up doors to different influences and as guirtaist/vocalist James Skelly says 'Inspiration is absolutely everywhere'.

Oasis's Noel Gallagher recently said, after picking up an award, 'if we're still getting the awards that means that there is no new talent out there'. Sadly that doesn't seem so far from the truth but thankfully there is a glimmer of hope in The Coral and they seem to be getting plenty of exposure across the globe.

Namba Hatch, Osaka
Entry: ¥6,000 • Time: 7pm
Tel: 06-6535-5569 • Indie

Marcus Miller
Dec 8 & 10

Marcus Miller is the musician's choice when it comes to bass. Credited with holding the rhythm section together for such luminary as Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Bryan Ferry, Aretha Franklin — the list goes on — Miller has graced over four hundred recordings.

By the age of 13 the now 46-year-old New Yorker was already proficient on clarinet, piano and bass. Before long he was the top call session musician in a New York studio.

Between his tireless work for other greats he somehow manages to release his own compositions and in 2001 he deservedly received a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. Miller is also a dab hand when it comes to movie scores and has produced compositions for nearly twenty films.

With everything that Marcus Miller has achieved in just over twenty-five years as a professional musician what is it that keeps him going? Is there anything left for him to do? 'I just try to keep challenging myself to continue to grow and get better'. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone better than Marcus Miller.

No stranger to Japan, Miller has a keen following and has played sessions for numerous Japanese artists over the years.

He released his sixth studio album Silver Rain in February of this year, a fifteen track mix of Funk, Jazz, classical, blues, reggae and world music. The album includes guest spots from Eric Clapton, Bill Withers and Kenny Garrett. One critic hailed it as 'contemporary inspirational music'. Miller himself says that 'Right now I think we need some joy. And this music will help.'

Osaka Blue Note
Entry: ¥10,600-¥12,600 • Time: 6:30pm/9:30pm
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Fusion Bass

Weezer
Dec 15 & 16

As part of an extensive tour, which so far has taken them across North and South America and Europe, U.S. indie rockers Weezer are rounding things off with seven dates in Japan.

Weezer are a band that, maybe because they haven't released an abundance of albums, always seems like new kids on the block. It's surprising to think then that their first hit single, the ever-catchy 'Buddy Holly' was over ten years ago back in 1994. In that same year they also won a number of MTV awards.

With a start like that the stage was well and truly set for a classic case of peaking too soon. Weezer were different though and they did things to their own agenda. Long breaks for fur-ther education, spending time on side projects, etc., it seems to be their formula for keeping things fresh. There have also been a good few instances of musical chairs within the band, though the band today is pretty much the same as when they started out, Scott Shriver on bass the only non-original.

They released their latest album in the summer and it has lost none of the edgy, geeky, rocking brilliance that is Weezer.

Zepp Osaka
Entry:¥6,800 • Time: 7pm
Tel: 06-6233-8888 • Indie Rock

Live Listings December

12/1
Blood Thirsty Butchers @ Big Cat Osaka. 6.30pm. ¥3,500. Rock
12/2&3
David Sanborn @ Blue Note Osaka. 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥10,000-¥12,000. Tel: 06-6342-7722. Fusion Sax
12/4
Harumi Miyako @ NHK OsakaHall 1pm/5pm. ¥5,250-¥7,350. Tel: 06-6233-8888. Female Vocal
12/5
The Coral @ Namba Hatch Osaka. 7pm. ¥6,000. Tel: 06-6355-5569. Indie
12/6
Mae @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm. ¥4,500. Tel: 06-6535-5569. Rock.
12/7
Ann Sally @ Club Quattro Osaka. 7pm. ¥5,500-¥6,000. Tel: 06-6281-8181. Female Vocal
12/8
The Pixies @ Zepp Osaka. 7pm. ¥7,000. Tel: 06-6233-8888. Indie
12/8-10
Marcus Miller @ Blue Note Osaka. 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥10,600-¥12,600. Tel: 06-6342-7722. Fusion Bass
12/10&11
Southern All Stars @ Osaka Dome 6.30pm. ¥8,000. Tel: 06-6233-8888. J-Pop/Rock
12/12
Fusanosuke & His Band @ Taku Taku Kyoto. 6pm. ¥4,500-¥5,000. Tel: 075-351-1321. Blues
12/13
Saori Yano @ Blue Note Osaka 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥4,500-¥6,500.
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz Sax
12/14
Rimi Natsukawa @ Festival Hall Osaka. 7pm. ¥4,800-¥5,500.
Tel: 06-6233-8888. Female Vocal
12/15
Ryuichi Sakamoto @ Festival Hall Osaka. 7pm. ¥7,300-¥8,400.
Tel: 06-6233-8888. Rock Pop
12/15-16
Weezer @ Zepp Osaka. 7pm. ¥6,800 Tel: 06-6882-1224. Indie/Rock
12/17
Buck Tick @ Zepp Osaka. 6.30pm.
Z ¥6,000. 06-6882-1224. Rock
12/18
Nona Reeves @ Club Quattro Osaka 5.30pm/8.30pm. ¥4,500-¥5,000.
Tel: 06-6882-1224
12/19-24
Stylistics @ Blue Note Osaka. 6.30pm/9.30pm. ¥7,500-¥12,600
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Soul
12/22
Russell Watson @ Festival Hall Osaka 7pm. ¥8,000-¥15,000. Tel: 06-6233-8888. Solo vocalist (Musical/Opera)
12/24
The Privates @ Taku Taku Kyoto. 6pm. ¥3,000. Tel: 075-351-1321.
J-Rock
12/29
The Alfee @ Osaka Jo Hall. 6.30pm ¥6,300. Tel: 06-6357-4400. Rock
12/29
Incognito @ Blue Note Osaka 6pm/9pm. ¥7,000-¥9,000.
Tel: 06-6342-7722. Jazz Funk
12/30
Plastic Tree @ Zepp Osaka. 6pm. ¥4,800. Tel: 06-6341-3525.
Pop/Rock

Compiled by Phillip Jackson