Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2010

© Intoxicate

Between the frequent tours by foreign ensembles and excellent domestic musicians like accordionist Coba, fans of tango in Japan don’t go wanting. Among the homegrown groups, guitarist Natsuki Kido’s “post-Piazzolla” quintet Salle Gaveau (named after a famous Paris concert hall) explores the intersection of tango with jazz and even progressive rock. On the title track, a famous Uruguayan composition, tango’s brisk bass lines and sprightly melodies become the launchpad for flights of improvisation from virtuoso musicians like violinist Naoki Kita and accordionist Yoshiaki Sato. At other moments, as on Kido’s “Rain at 3:00pm,” the mood is restrained and serene.

Salle Gaveau
Aug 10, 8pm, ¥3,000. Pit Inn, Shinjuku. Tel: 03-3352-0381.