Analyzing Jazz Concert Report

Jazz concert was performed by the Fukushi Tainaka Quartet on the 16th of April. The venue was the Small Jazz Club in Greenwich Village, New York City. In that band, Fukushi Tainaka played drums, Chris Johansen played the tenor saxophone and Marc Devine was on the piano while Hide Tanaka played the bass.

Background of the Musicians

Fukushi Tainaka's name is among the best jazz musicians and the best drum player on an international level. He was a member of the group of the illustrious alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson. He has co-worked with several other artists as well, including trumpet legend Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Shaw and Bill Hardman, guitarist Randy Johnston and George Benson, pianist Benny Green, Champian Fulton, Junior Mance and Barry Harris, organist Lonnie Smith, saxophonist Junior Cook, Arnett Cobb, Jimmy Heath, Kenny Garrett, David "Fathead" Newman, James Moody and Frank Wess. Almost all the venues in New York have experienced Fukushi Tainaka's band; For example, Black Duck, Birdland, Garage, The Blue Note, Smoke, Fat Cat, The Village Vanguard, Smalls, Fat Tuesday's, Sweet Basil and The Village Gate. He has conducted concerts in jazz clubs, concert halls and several notable festivals around the globe. (Smalls LIVE, 2016)

When it comes to the saxophonist of the band, Chris Johansen has also gained his experience and popularity by performing in New York, The Netherlands and Seattle (his hometown). Striving to keep the music from the bop era alive, he has had the chance to work with great legends like Frans Elsen, Jay Thomas etc. He also toured Ireland and mainland Europe with the band Equinox. After having moved to New York in 2014, he has co-worked with many jazz musical groups and regularly with the drummer Fukushi Tainaka.

Another member of this band, Marc Devine, is the pianist band leader based in New York. He was introduced to great jazz music during his student days in the Hampshire University. He was given lessons by some legendary teachers: Clark Terry, James Williams and Stephen Fulton. He also enrolled in the Clark Terry International School of Jazz Music to learn and develop his piano skills. During his time in that institute, he had the chance to work along with Butch Miles, Red Holloway, Jessie Davis as well as Clark Terry. He started his own groups after moving to Austin area, performed in all Austin Jazz locations and soon earned popularity. He performed at the Texas Jazz Festival located in Corpus Christi and had great success. (Smalls, LIVE, 2016)

Marc has gained popularity for himself as the pianist from the bebop era and he has also performed at the The Iridium, Smoke, Small Jazz Club, Cleopatra's Needle, Tomi Jaz, Flute Bar, The Garage, along with The Velvet Lounge. He has performed as the sideman as well as the band leader. He has worked in bands with the jazz drummers Jackie Williams, Fukushi Tainaka and Jimmy Wormworth, the bassists Hide Tanaka and Paul Sikivie, the trombonist Benny Powell, the saxophonist Jerry Weldon and several others. (Smalls LIVE, 2016)

Repertoire, Highlights and Personal Reaction of the Performance

In the concert held on the 16th of April, the band earned rapt attention of the audience by playing original pieces throughout their performance. Their energetic performance kept the audience entertained thoroughly. The following were some of the genres of jazz that could be heard:

Ragtime-- This type of music has been the basis of origin of jazz music and has an African music and dance feel to it. The band played this music at its best and it was vibrant.

Classic Jazz -- The conglomerated composition of this music concert was very interesting. The classical jazz, also known as the New Orleans Jazz, also comprised of blues tradition, ragtime, and brass band. The real taste of classical music was complemented by the piano, drums and the string bass.

Swing -- This kind of music was the mixture of melodic and thematic solos and was also accompanied by dance music that captivated the audience's interest. The performance was galvanizing despite of all the sound throughout the performance. The band still managed to give the best performance.

Bebop -- The band indulged in the music of the bebop era and performed the harmonic melodies of that time. During the solo performances, the band members got involved in harmonic improvisation. (A Passion for Jazz, 1998-2016)