A New Album, "Predawn Shenanigans Club" By Wataru Uchida

Source: Wataru Uchida
July 28, 2015
View read count

From jazz Swing to alternative Brazilian rhythm. 10 original compositions by a New York-Based saxophonist, Wataru Uchida. The real chemistry of jazz interplay by the old school one-room recording approach.

Born in Japan, tenor saxophonist Wataru Uchida was compelled by the power of swing to move to New York, only to come under the spell of Latin rhythms such as samba, Bai?o and Maracatu that form the core of a new release entitled Predawn Shenanigans Club. A specially recruited lineup of Brazilian jazz players bring life to his ten original compositions and give Wataru ample room to shine.

Among many highlights, the title tune, “Predawn Shenanigans Club�� contains alternating 3/4 Bai?o and samba rhythms and a vibrant piano solo by

Abelita Mateus

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Abelita Mateus. “Bed-Stuy Lullaby" is a relaxed rock tune with Latin touches played in 13 beats. “Black Current" offers an oriental melody that feels right at home on top of a Bolero rhythm.

The album represents a return to the old school one-room recording approach��there is no studio manipulation such as overdub, punch-in, or cut and paste. So each moment represents the real chemistry of jazz interplay.

Wataru Uchida studied saxophone technique and composition with

Chico Freeman

saxophone
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Chico Freeman. Wataru credits Chico with helping him polish his sound, and also with inspiring his first jazz composition, “Black Current," which closes this album.

In 2010, Brazilian bassist

Nilson Matta

bass, acoustic
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Nilson Matta, who had long admired Wataru��s compositional style, produced his first recording, recruiting Brazilian musicians who understood his vision:

Romero Lubambo

guitar
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Romero Lubambo (guitar),

Helio Alves

piano
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Helio Alves (piano),

Cafe Da Silva

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Cafe Da Silva (percussion) and

Ze Mauricio

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Ze Mauricio (percussion). Blue Morpho was released in 2010 and included originals along with compositions by legendary Brazilian guitarist

Baden Powell

guitar, acoustic
1937 - 2000

" data-original-title="" title="">Baden Powell. Later that year, Wataru was proud to perform at the Museum of the City of New York, supplementing his then-quintet with select New York-based Japanese jazz performers as a part of a series that celebrated the 150 years anniversary of Japan-U.S. trade.

Since then, Wataru has performed with jazz musicians such as