Happy New Year!
Happy 2012!
Thank you all so much for your support in 2011.
I wish everyone a happy, safe, creative, positive, healthy, and energetic new year!
Asuka Kakitani Jazz Orchestra at Tea Lounge on Monday, December 5th at 9 PM (2 Sets)
AKJO will be performing at Tea Lounge on Monday, December 5th at 9PM. A brand new piece + awesome musicians! Hope to see you there:)
Editing/Mixing
Yesterday, I went to the Systems Two studio to do some editing and mixing of the recording that we did in June.
It was a very fun process, but at the same time it’s tough to stay focused and sharp all day. We’ve really done good work so far, though! Always big thanks to such a great engineer, Mike and great ears, JC!
AKJO will be back to Tea Lounge!
I’m happy to announce that the Asuka Kakitani Jazz Orchestra will return to Tea Lounge on Monday, September 5th (Labor day!) as part of the great large ensemble series “Size Matters” curated by a wonderful composer/trombonist/conductor JC Sanford. It’s only $5 suggested donation to support live music and we’ll be featuring some of the greatest jazz musicians in New York! Also Tea Lounge has great selection of tea, beer, wine, snacks and sweets. It’ll be nice to see you there:)
We’re featuring…
Reeds:
John O’Gallagher
Ben Kono
Jason Rigby
Chris Bacas
Kenny Berger
Trumpets:
Jeff Wilfore
David Spier
John Bailey
Matt Holman
Trombones:
Mark Patterson
Matt McDonald
JC Sanford
Jennifer Wharton
Rhythm Sections:
Pete McCann
Mike Holober
Dan Loomis
Mark Ferber
Voice:
Melissa Stylianou
Recording
Asuka Kakitani Jazz Orchestra recorded our debut album on June 14th and 15th, 2011 at Systems Two Recording Studio in Brooklyn, New York. That week was one of the most incredible weeks in my life. Experiencing my music being brought to life by these amazing musicians was a truly special feeling. Also working with the wonderful people at the Systems Two Studio was a great experience. The producer of the recording, JC Sanford and I are working on editing and mixing right now. Please stay tuned!
Back row from left: Jacob Garchik, Mike Eckroth, Mark Ferber, Jason Rigby, Matt Holman, Jeff Wilfore, Kenny Berger, Pete McCann, Mark Small, John Bailey, Matt McDonald, John O’Gallagher, Sara Serpa
Front row from left: JC Sanford, Jeff Nelson, David Spier, me, Mark Patterson, Ben Kono, Dave Ambrosio.
Credit:
Asuka Kakitani (Composer, Arranger, and Conductor)
John O’Gallagher (Alto. Sax. Sap.Sax. and Flute)
Ben Kono (Alto. Sax. Sap.Sax. and Flute)
Jason Rigby (Tenor. Sax. and Clarinet)
Mark Small (Tenor. Sax. and Clarinet)
Kenny Berger (Bari.Sax. and Bass Clarinet)
Jeff Wilfore (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
Dave Spier (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
John Bailey (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
Matt Holman (Trumpet and Flugelhorn)
Mark Patterson (Trombone)
Matt McDonald (Trombone)
Jacob Garchik (Trombone)
Jeff Nelson (Bass Trombone)
Pete McCann (Electric and Acoustic Guitar)
Mike Eckroth (Piano and Rhodes)
Dave Ambrosio (Acoustic and Electric Bass)
Mark Ferber (Drums)
Sara Serpa (Voice)
JC Sanford (Producer)