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2009 Taichung Jazz Festival Headliner Series: →Pia-no-jaC←
By Douglas Habecker
Translated by Naomi Lai
Beyond its attention-getting name--a combination of "piano" and "cajon" (spelled right to left from the back)--this Japanese duo has been receiving growing international attention and acclaim with its instrumental mix of keyboards and percussion. Hayato plays the piano while his partner Hiro provides percussion on the cajon, a unique Afro-Peruvian box drum that originated with African slaves in South America in the 1800s. It is played by slapping the front of what resembles a plywood box or cabinet.
Despite their self-taught background, the duo offers crisp, simple but lively music that blends in some Asian and Japanese elements, with the final result being sometimes described as "hybrid instrumental". Pia-no-JaC is at its best in live performances, which bring their technique, sound and on-stage presence together. This is evidenced by recent packed-out concerts at Osaka's Minami Wheel festival in fall, 2008 and Sakae Spring festival in 2009, not to mention other sold-out Tokyo and Osaka shows. Further abroad, they also performed in Cannes and Paris this year.
The duo's debut release, "First Contact" (Sept. 2008) sold over 30,000 copies within the first three months of release and was followed by "Eat A Classic" in December the same year. This has led to tours across Japan, with 100 shows in only four months, including the Rising Sun Festival in Hokkaido and Otodama in Zushi. Their arrival in Taiwan promises to provide a innovative, avante garde musical element to the 2009 Taichung Jazz Festival that undoubtedly will appeal to young and old listeners alike.
Pia-no-jaC will perform live on the festival's J2 stage at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 18. The Taichung Jazz Festival (see cover article), being held this year for its seventh year, is Taiwan's largest jazz event, attracting top artists and groups from around the world and tens of thousands of participants. This year's nine-day festival will open on Saturday, Oct. 17 and continue to Sunday, Oct. 25, with the main stage at its usual location on Citizens Square (GongYi Rd) and two smaller nearby stages along JingGuo Boulevard. For more information, check the official website at www.jazzfestival.com.tw.
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October 2009
