Francis Mbappe

New York-based African jazz bassist/producer

Apr 2, 4

Mister Kellys, Osaka
Rag, Kyoto

Francis Mbappe, who originates from Cameroon, has played with many great jazz musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Fela Kuti as well as many pop artists such as Peter Gabriel, Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox.

Mbappe is acclaimed by many of his contemporaries, and saxophonist Aaron Heick is quoted as stating about Mbappe that he is "capable of pulling all types of influences together and creating something new." This is very true in that the first time I heard Francis Mbappe I instantly thought "Latin Jazz" but after a few seconds I could hear his African musical roots coming through. There are so many different styles in Mbappe's music that he cannot be categorized in to one genre of Jazz as he wonderfully encapsulates them all.

A master of the bass, Mbappe quickly became one of New York's (where he is based) most sought-after bass players.

His latest album Celebration has been described as a "mixture of simplicity, virtuosity and humility".

To see Francis Mbappe in such intimate surroundings as Mister Kelly's and Rag is a rare opportunity and not one to be missed by any hardcore jazz enthusiast.

4/2 @ Mister Kellys, Osaka
Time: 7:30pm • Entry: ¥4,000
Tel: 06-6342-5821 • Jazz/World

4/4 @ Rag, Kyoto
Time: 7pm • Entry: ¥3,000/¥4,000
Tel: 075-255-7273 • Jazz/World

Mozaik

Five-piece folk string instrument virtuosos

Apr 4

Taku Taku, Kyoto

The origins of acoustic string band Mozaik came about when musician/ songwriter Andy Irvine had a great idea: 'get a bunch of your favo- urite musicians together and do a tour'. Luckily for Andy Irvine his favourite musicians were also his good friends.

The band, apart from Andy who anyone who has follo- wed Irish Folk will know from his days with Planxty in the 70s and Patrick Street in the 80s consists of Donal Lunny, Bruce Molsky, Nikola Parov and Rens Van Der Zalm.

Donal Lunny is another stalwart of Irish Traditional Folk music, Nikola Parov adds Balkan folk influences to the group and it has been claimed that the instrument that he cannot play has yet to be invented. From Holland comes Rens Van Der Zalm 'an inventive musician' playing guitar, mandolin and fiddle as well as being more than capable on the tin whistle and accordion. Finally Bruce Molsky, a master of a wide range of string instruments including fiddle, banjo and guitar.

The idea of the band was just a one off tour for the sake of some good times but five years later those good times just keep rolling on.

Time: 7pm • Entry: ¥5,000/¥5,500
Tel: 075-351-1321 • Folk

Modest Mouse

US indie group featuring Johnny Marr

Apr 8

Club Quattro, Osaka

Formed in Washington in 1993 as a five piece, the band took their musical inspiration from a number of early 90s alternative and indie bands such as a The Pixies. Though there has been a good few line-up changes over the years the core members of Eric Judy (Bass), Jeremiah Green (Drums) and Isaac Brock (vocals/Guitar) still remain.

One notable addition to the line-up has been legendary ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr who joined the band in 2006. Apparently Marr was invited by Brock to record one song on the 2007 released album We Were Dead Even Before the Ship Sank but ended up as a permanent fixture.

The band's music is quite diverse from track to track, 'Little Motel' is an almost dreamy laid back number, 'We've Got Every- thing' is a much more upbeat tune and 'Dashboard' seems to borrow subtle new romantic influences (whether the band would agree is another thing).

Modest Mouse's visit to Japan comes after a string of festival dates before they head back across the Pacific for an extensive tour of Canada and the US.

And of course the band fall in to that category of 'where did the name come from?' Well, it comes from a line from a Virginia Woolf novel: 'and very frequent, even in the minds of modest, mouse-coloured people •••'

Time: 7pm • Entry: ¥6,300
Tel: 06-6281-8181 • Indie

Saxon

British Long Serving Heavy Metallers

May 2

Club Quattro, Osaka

Formed in Barnsley in 1976, British Heavy Metal band Saxon have recently gone through a stage of reinvention. This reinvention was actually documented in a British television show which featured the band attempting the world record for the most people playing air guitar at one time. Unfortunately this event turned out to be a disaster as it took place during the half time period at an English soccer match and the fans simply took it as an opportunity to poke fun at a bunch of old guys with long hair.

Fortunately there are enough die hard Saxon fans and genuine rock fans out there to keep vocalist Biff and the boys soldiering on.

Over the years Saxon have released some classic tracks such as 'Wheels of Steel', 'And The Bands Played On' and 'Never Surrender'. These hits of course were in the early eighties when along with Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, Saxon were at the forefront of 'The New Wave of British Heavy Metal'.

The band have had some line-up changes over the years but vocalist Biff Byford and guitarist Paul Quinn have been present since day one.

This will be a gig for old and new fans alike, Saxon are back with a new lease of life and still belting them out with a passion that many young bands seem to lack.

Time: 7pm • Entry: ¥6,800
Tel: 06-6281-8181 • Metal

Live Listings April

Francis Mbappe

4/2 @ Mister Kellys, Osaka
7:30pm/9:15pm • ¥4,000
Tel: 06-6342-5821 • African Jazz

Mozaik

4/4 @ Taku Taku, Kyoto
7pm • ¥5,000/¥5,500
Tel: 075-351-1321 • Acoustic String Group

Francis Mbappe

4/4 @ Rag, Kyoto
7pm • ¥3,000/¥4,000
Tel: 075-255-7273 • African Jazz

Todd Rundgren

4/4-5 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Prog Rock

Rancid/Buzzcocks

4/5 @ Zepp, Osaka
3pm • ¥7,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
• Punk

Rihanna

4/6 @ Zepp, Osaka
4pm • ¥7,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-7732-8888 • RnB

Cornelius

4/6 @ Grand Cube, Osaka
6pm • ¥6,000 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
• Rock/Experimental

Janet Kay & Aswad

4/7-8 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥8,500/¥10,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Reggae

Modest Mouse

4/8 @ Club Quattro, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,300 • Tel: 06-6281-8181
• Indie Rock

Orange Range

4/11 @ Zepp, Osaka
7pm • ¥4,800 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
• J-Pop Group

The Playing Favorites

4/11 @ Club Quattro, Osaka
7pm • ¥5,500/¥6,000
Tel: 06-6281-8181 • Rock

Sex Machineguns

4/15 @ Varit, Kobe
7pm • ¥3,900 Tel: 078-392-6635
• J-Rock

Foo Fighters

4/15-16 @ Zepp, Osaka
7pm • ¥8,000 Tel: 06-6535-5569
• Rock

Sakert & Maia Hirasawa

4/17 @ Sunsui, Osaka
7pm • ¥3,000/¥3,500 • Tel: 0570-02-9999 • Swedish Female Vocal

Sex Machineguns

4/19 @ Muse, Kyoto
6pm • ¥3,900 Tel: 0570-02-9999
J-Rock

Cornell Dupree/Jimmy Smith/Ronnie Cuber/ Buddy Williams

4/19 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Jazz Funk

Janis Ian

4/21-22 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Sing/Songwriter

Sum41

4/23-24 @ Zepp, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,500 • Tel: 06-7732-8888
• Rock

Farrah

4/25 @ Sunsui, Osaka
6pm • ¥3,500-¥4,000
Tel: 0570-02-9999 • UK Pop

Flow

4/30 @ Neverland, Nara
7pm • ¥4,200
Tel: 0742-36-2431 • J-Pop/Rock

Alexander O'Neal

5/1 @ Billboard Live, Osaka
6:30pm/9:30pm • ¥6,500/¥8,500
Tel: 06-6342-7722 • Vocal

Saxon

5/2 @ Club Quattro, Osaka
7pm • ¥6,800
Tel: 06-6281-8181 • Metal

Compiled by Phillip Jackson