Well one picture is worth a thousand you-know-whats. Above is Kweskin, Sebastian and myself with the Old Southern Jug Blowers at The Fritz Richmond Tribute in Tokyo. What a natural ball we had. Filmaker Todd Kwait pulled together his resources to get us there. He's in the final stages of shooting the footage for his jug band documentary. Last fall, while interviewing Fritz for the film, Todd was told about the incredible jug band scene in Japan. It was Fritz's "suggestion" that Todd go to the annual "Jug-Fes" in Yokohama; so...Todd took the hint seriously and there we went. Hiroshi Asada, my long-time Japanese friend and promoter did the honors of setting up a tribute concert in Tokyo to coincide with the "Jug-Fes", and Kamakura resident, Doug Allsopp of Buffalo Records, provided much-needed communication help and a special link to the Japanese jug bands.
We all arrived in Shibuya for a little R&R during the week before the gig. This is the first trip I've made to Japan in the spring when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, so there they were... the sakura flowers; so beautiful. There are many types of cherry trees in Japan, but it is the short-lived sakura that produces the most beautiful blossoms.
My forever-young friend, Ashura, took a bunch of us to the Imperial Palace moat to see the cherry trees and with them, the politely smiling sea of Japanese tourists. Ashura, as some of you may know, is the Leopard Man. Hard to imagine that a Leopard Man designed and set up the Pokemon headquarters in New York at Rockefeller Plaza a couple of years ago... but he did. Let me show you this guy...
So, after some attempt at time zone acclimation and getting used to the Tokyo scene we headed down to Yokohama on Saturday for the "Jug-Fes". A few of us, including Fritz's wife Cynda, went down a little early to the Foreigners' Cemetery to spread a few of Fritz's ashes next to the memorial for my great grandfather, Alonzo Muldaur. Yes, it's true. In 1870, Alonzo and all hands were lost to the deep when their Merchant Marine ship, the Oneida, was cut off and mistakenly rammed by a British frigate in Yokohama Bay. Fritz and Cynda joined me when I went to the memorial a couple of years ago and Fritz was very moved by the place. So it seemed fitting that we spill a little cannister of Fritz bits there. So we did... and now (as Mark Twain might say) Fritz is encouraging the azaleas.
In the '60s, Fritz requested that when he died he wanted his ashes to be smoked by his friends. A few years ago, though, he changed his mind. I'm glad he did that, because what came out of that little cannister didn't look like ashes to me; unidentifiable little bits of white stuff. Seemed unsmokable... I'd say. Although, I suppose if he hadn't changed his mind.... if he REALLY wanted us to...
After we sprinkled the Jug Kami-sama dust on the ground... and after some Buddhist chanting from Ashura... we headed over to "Jug-Fes". It was in full swing with jug bands from all over Japan. Most of the bands were young folks in their twenties. Just goes to show you what a good education will do for you. I had seen some of this insanity before but it was a first for Kweskin, Sebastian, Todd and the film crew. They were smitten....their eyes rolled around like BBs in a saucer.
Uncle Mooney was the host with his band, Mad Words. Fritz's Japanese friend and protege, Yono, was there. Mr. Tasty came all the way from Kyushu. Washtub Wonder Woman was there also (at least that's my name for her) and could she play! Jim, John and I sat in for a few numbers but it was a drop in the ocean. The place was packed.
Back to Shibuya after the marathon. The next day was the Fritz Richmond Tribute at a place called Duo-Exchange. Pretty exciting stuff... 750 fans of Fritz, jug band music and other things hip; four cameras for the documentary with movable booms and the works; Harry Hosono - a long-time favorite John and me played bass and marimba; Mad Words opened, followed by the Old Southern Jug Blowers... then Sebastian with a set of music designed to show the connection of the Spoonful (Fritz's name for the band BTW) to jug band music and American roots. He ended with a version of Daydream accompanied by Hosono, Kweskin and myself on washboard.... real nice set.
After the break, I came out and sang a few of the tunes I did with Fritz with help from Sebastian and Hosono... then Jim joined us... next we added some terrific Japanese musicians, in addition to John and Harry, and Jim took the center stage for some of his signature material (I took a break). He was in top "deet deet deedley dum" form. I must say, Sebastian was so happy to be playing with Kweskin that he (John) lit up! He and his shit-eating grin became one... satori!! I rejoined the group and embarrassed us all with a version of Sweet Sue sung on helium. Why do I do that? Because it's the easiest laugh I ever get I suppose.
The set continued on with the addition of the Old Southern Jug Blowers and eventually Mooney and Mad Words for the finale with about twenty-three happy musicians. What a night... many tears and hugs. I think we did it up pretty good for our pal, Fritz.
I head east next week to Cambridge, MA for another Fritz tribute at Club Passim. And that ought to do it on that subject for a while... until we dedicate the memorial in Portland, OR. (more on that later). Then after Cambridge, I head to England, Scotland, Sweden and Ireland for a month and a half. This should produce a little more to go on about. I'll update when I return in June.
See ya...
Geoff