April 19: Shimokitazawa 440

I visited Promo Arte at noon, an Art Gallery in Omote Sando specialized in LatinAmerican Art, I had a friendly meeting with the owner to arrange possible participation of Moni in an upcoming group exhibition next December. This meeting has been arranged in advance by the Argentinean Embassy. The owner was very kind, and expressed obvious concern for the future of Japan.

After the meeting I had lunch here...tempura...

In the evening I played with Yuji Katsui (electric violin), Yumiko Ohno (bass and keyboards), Eiko Ishibashi (piano), Yasuhiro Yoshigaki (one of my very favorite drummers of all times in the world) at Shimokitazawa 440 , Tokyo

Luxury! Lots and fun, grooves, quiet, surprise, noise, color, sonic beauties, music and good heat!!!! What a treat to play with these superb musicians. We began the concert with a piano duet with Eiko Ishibashi! yes I dared.....I so much enjoy playing my Roland GR55 guitar synth piano sounds that I proposed a piano duet to Eiko...and this is how we began the set...

This is Yumiko's Moog, signed by Bob Moog himself...

As always, the owner and staff of this venue were so kind!

Very generous and enthusiastic audience. Good attendance.

Good to see Hajime and Naomi after the show, we have toured together a few years ago. Heroes!

Back to the hotel on the subway with Kaz.

I had dinner here...noodles...

And here's a pic of Ace Drummer Takashi Numazawa happy wearing his brand new Luck T-Shirt last night!

And here's a photo from my archives: about 4 or 5 years ago in Tokyo with Yumiko, DJ Moog and Cornelius

April 18: Shimokitazawa 440

Getting used to aftershocks, although not completely at ease.... read the news periodically, with particular attention to the Fukushima Daichi plant developments. Since I can't read Japanese, I buy the Japan Times at the hotel reception.

At noon I had lunch with my dear friend Kepel Kimura. I'm so grateful to Kepel for helping so much in my first visits to Japan. He was central in bringing my music to Japan, along with other Argentinean musicians' such as Juana Molina, Alejandro Franov, Santiago Vazquez and others. In my first visits to Tokyo I stayed in his house, in his kids' bedroom. He and his family were enormously generous, so kind! He specializes in Brazilian music and he loves Miles Davis' music. Actually I due my appreciation of Miles music mostly to Kepel. Nowadays Kimura hosts a superb radio program. Thanks Kepel!!!!!

In the evening I played with Yuji Katsui, Yumiko Ohno, Sugar Yoshinaga, Natsuki Kido and Takashi Numazawa at Shimokitazawa 440, where years ago I shared with Katsui and Seiichi Yamamoto a memorable performance. Nice venue, such kind staff!!!!

Another luxurious performance. No words.....very happy!

I am invited to play with Bufallo Daughter at a Festival in Osaka on April 29th. Happier!

April 17th: Ueno and Powers!

Cherry blossoms and a visit to Ueno Park, to see my friend Uchihashi Kazuhisa play in a festival

Walked around the streets of Ueno.

...Uchi rules!!!!! How does he do it? Complete mistery. He plays electric guitar with several processors, and also Daxophone, an instrument developed by a European musician named Hans Reichel. Wonderful sounds!!!! Great to see him.

Met with Kaz in Shibuya, by Hachiko Dog.

In the evening I played at Powers, invited by Yuji Katsui, Takashi Numazawa, Deep Cover and friends. Very nice venue, warm sound, beautiful visuals!!!! Drums, electric violin, 2 keyboards and electric/synth guitar. Such enjoyable performance. More luxury.

April 16th: Kabusacki & Nano Tavito, Tokyo

Earthquake aftershocks scared me today... but the mantainance man in the hotel corridor tells me I should not worry.

At noon I walked by Tokyo Midtown towards Ebisu, where I visited Kobo Chika art gallery. Wonderful gallery. The owner show me work by very fine artists that I didn't know and I showed small paintings by Moni.

Bags and gear ready...

I played with Nanao Tavito, wonderful musician!!!!!!! He sings and plays guitar. I was not familiar with his music. Tavito rules! Lots of fun and adventure...audience very generous...3 encores...more fun. Joy.

My space on stage

Tokai Les Paul, equiped with Les Trem tremolo and Roland GK3 hexaphonic pickup...

My pedals...the Fabulous Kabusacki International Pedalboard is taking shape slowly!

... a list of useful GR55 and Kaoss Pad presets...

Yuji Katsui visited, I'm very happy to see him!!!!

In the dressing room Tavito told us moving stories of his recent visit to Fukushima city.

In Tokio...new guitar...new synth...cherry blossoms!

Train to Ochanomizu to get my Tokai Les Paul set up: Midi pickup installed and Les Trem tremolo installed, plus setup and calibration for the New Standard Tuning. In this shop they did a superb job.



Back in the hotel I worked on the guitar synth presets and practiced.





I'm very happy to be here.

April 12 and April 13, travelling to Tokyo

13/4

7am. Arrived in Washington Dulles Airport 1 hour ago. Very slow security queue.

7:25 Breakfast at The Potbelly, my favorite bar in Dulles Airport. Bagel and coffee, Clapton's Layla, Fleetwood Mac (an instrumental from Then Play On!) and now The Travelling Wilburys.

Kabusacki Luck t-shirts are ready and they look great!

Not much sleep on the plane, but good ideas about my new setup. The International Pedalboard is on the way.

… 5 hours to the departure of my flight to Tokyo, so I may have time for my SSG postings.





Full flight. Arrived in Tokyo in time. Kaz waiting for me in Narita Airport to drive me to the hotel.