Travels with his sax

CELEBRATED Japanese jazz saxophonist Sadao Watanabe is returning to Bangkok next month after an absence from the Land of Smiles of almost seven years.

He and his top-flight band, the Sadao Watanabe Group, will be at Royal Paragon Hall on the fifth floor of Siam Paragon on March 4.

 “The concert aims to strengthen relations between Thailand and Japan and also give Thai jazz fans chance to listen to Sadao’s powerful sax sound. Although he is 82, he is still eager to impress fans with his exhilarating saxophone renditions,” says Shigeaki Takai, vice chairman of Toyota Tsusho (Thailand), after a VTR video presentation of Watanabe’s live show. “Part of proceeds will go to the development of the arts.”

The recent press conference was attended by two local luminaries of the saxophone world – Sekphol Unsamran, aka Koh Mr Saxman, and Sobchai “Ford” Kraiyoonsen – who performed a sax duel before talking about their affection and admiration for the elderly Japanese musician.

Watanabe then appeared in a video link, greeting his fans and thanking the organisers and sponsors for putting the show together. Watanabe’s band features Akira Onozuka on piano and keyboards, Takashi Yofu on electric guitar, Kiichiro Komobuchi on bass, Masaharu Ishikawa on drums and N’diasse Niang on percussion.

Watanabe, who is affectionately known at home as Nabesada, has long had a major international following. Loved for his performance on stage as well as his gentle charm, he represents a true mix of music and culture, and pass to the audiences all over the world.