If you're in Southern California, just wanted to throw out another reminder about the Asian American Music Festival, the world's leading festival celebrating Asian American music: jazz, world, hip-hop and beyond. It's happening October 15-17 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo, and man, they've got a hell of a lineup:
Big props to the festival organizers for putting together such an amazing, eclectic lineup of artists. Five shows with really different styles and themes -- they've got something for everyone. For more information about all the artists, the full show schedule, and to purchase tickets, go to the Asian American Music Festival website here.
Movement 1: Urbanisms (Friday (10/15) 8:30pm)
AAMF 2010 kicks off with west coast hip-hop star, Kero One, opening for Dana Leong's Milk & Jade project which fuses electronica and hip-hop. Movement 1's headliner is Japanese rapping sensation, Shing02. Movement 1 is made possible by the Tateuchi Democracy Foundation at the Japanese American National Museum. Movement 1's Master of Ceremonies is KJazz nationally syndicated program host, Leroy Downs.
- Kero One
- Milk & Jade by Dana Leong
- Shing02
Movement 2: Generations (Saturday (10/16) 1:30pm)
AAMF's movement 2 is a direct tribute to the Asian American jazz legacy and the API consciousness movement with performances by two generations of leading Asian American pianists, Gary Fukushima and Jon Jang. Movement 2 closes with Taiko Project joining the Pan-Asian Arkestra for the world premiere of "Concerto for Jazz Orchestra and Taiko" composed by Jon Jang, and directed by Gary Fukushima.
- Gary Fukushima GF3 Trio
- Jon Jang Solo Piano
- Pan-Asian Arkestra with Taiko Project - world premiere of "Concerto for Jazz Orchestra and Taiko" composed by Jon Jang, directed by Gary Fukushima.
Movement 3: Stars of the Islands (Saturday (10/16) 8:30pm)
Movement 3 is Hawaiian music night with international pop superstar Jake Shimabukuro headlining. Abe Lagrimas, Jr. and Noel Okimoto open in their vibraphone and drums quartet.
- Abe Lagrimas, Jr. and Noel Okimoto Quartet
- Jake Shimabukuro
Movement 4: Angles (Sunday (10/17) 1:30pm)
Movement 4 features Japanese American pop-jazz superstar Emi Meyer opening for Undercover Culture recording group, Shanghai Restoration Project, in a multi-media hip-hop and electronic performance.
- Emi Meyer
- Shanghai Restoration Project
Movement 5: Identity (Sunday (10/17) 6:30pm)
AAMF closes with two stars of unique artistic and cultural identities: singers Sachal Vasandani and Charmaine Clamor in two performances of jazz with world influence. Movement 5's Master of Ceremonies is KJazz nationally syndicated program host, Bubba Jackson.
- Sachal Vasandani Quartet
- Charmaine Clamor & her Killin' Sweethearts