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"I saw a photo by verner
Bishoff of a life-size Buddha sitting in a garden full of overground grass.
The Buddha had a snail on its noise. I just looked at that photo and gasped.
It was like the jazz scene. Deserted.
Everyone has died and no one is left to nurture it. When the jazz scene
became a cemetery, I tried to find a way to get out.."
(Tony Scott)
"A beginning was made by Tony
Scott. He has improvised with gamelan orchestras in Bali, with koto ensembles
in Japan, with Thai musicians in Bangkok, and with Chinese in Hong Kong
and Formosa.
But the beginning can only bear fruit if others follow it up.
The jazz musicians who comes to Asia from the U.S. can be certain that
many Asian musicians will help him."
(Joachim Ernst Berendt - Down Beat Nov.22,
1962)
On November
11th , 1960 - Scott landed in Hawaii playing two months at the
Honolulu 'Clouds' Club with pianist Ernie
Washington & Trio.
On December 3rd, he arrived in Japan at
Tokyo Haneda Airport greeted by Japanese
musicians, jazz fans, critics and young girls in kimonos with flowers.
He remained in the Orient for 5 years developing an intense concert and
teaching schedule organized by the leading Jazz critic, Masa Segawa. For
five years he visited an ancounted number of countries, cities and villages
having numerous television and radio engagements, interviews, sightseeing,
jamming, concerts in clubs and night clubs, jazz festivals (the first
in the Orient), benefit events, studio recordings, here some of the performances,
recordings and reviews from his life in the Orient
"I have been keeping my ear tuned to the ancient
sounds of Japan - the noodle vendor's horn, the sweet potato seller's
chant, the whistle of the bean-curd peddler, and the plaintive cries of
the blind masseurs as they walk along the streets, singing their strange
melodies…" (Tony Scott)
Japan
- December 7 -Tokyo
NHK Television: Scott with a big Traditional
Japanese Orchestra (60 strings, 6 kotos), and the 'Nobu Ohara and his
Sharps and Flats Big (jazz) Band'. The show was called Welcome
Tony Scott Show. He was the first American Jazz musician to record
in Japan
- Tokyo
JOQR Radio Broadcast:
with the famous Shinichi Yuize the first
improvisation for clarinet and koto ever performed anywhere, titled by
Scott The Cranes in Winter, Fly Away :
"He
just gave me six or seven tones, the crane feeling, and said he was going
to play them twice. I have never done it before, but I would like to do
again…He is a person who can get the real Japanese mood of our music,"
(Shinichi Yuize) "The result was a nostalgic, bewitchingly evocative piece
in which the tinkling of the koto strings seemed to flow out behind the
bubbling clarinet tones. It conjured up an image of a flock of cranes
in stately formation." (Newsweek)
- January 3, 1960 -
Tokyo TBS Radio Hall: show (30
minute), organized by TBS director Yasayaki Ishihara; Tony Scott(cl, p,
bass cl), with Masao Yagi(p), Masnaga
Harada, Masahiko Togashi(d).
- February 12 - Meiji
University: 4 Hours Lecture and Concert
with Meiji University Big band Big Sound Society,
playing for about 3,000 students. In program I Got
Rhythm (T.Scott: cl), Perdido (T.Scott:
pn, vcl), Blues for Meiji (T.Scott : cl,
pn), Kuno Ryuzo(cl)
- NHK Television program:
he played with a quintet made up of Japan's most famous jazz performers:
Hideiko 'Sleepy' Matsumoto(ts), Elichi
Fujii(p), Matsuru Ono(b), Irao
Shirachi(dr) and Nobu Ohara and
his Sharps and Flats Big Band. The music was arranged by Tony Scott.
- 1° Japan Jazz Festival in
Tokyo.
- Arthur Godfrey
Monday Night Radio Program (1 hour): Tony
Scott with Yuize,(koto), Moryasu(singer),
Oyama(shamisen).
- Concert Tony
Scott and Shinichi Yuize with a 24 Piece
Koto Orchestra and 5 shakuhachi.
-
Hot Club of Japan:
Lectures at meetings.
- American Armed
Forces Radio (Far East Network) Jazz Programs
with disc jockeys Dan Doherty and Jack
Tyson.
- Clubs ' concerts and with a trio made up of musicians Kuni
Sugano(p), Suzuki(b) and Shoji
Otsuka(dr)
- Palace's garden
of Prince Takumatsu: a concert with Shinichi
Yuize in Duo and a concert with Kuni Sugano
Trio.
- The Copacabana Club:
concert with the Tommy Palmer's Band Of
Japan and Yuize(koto)
- Half hour color TV Show for president
Eisenhower's arrival: Tony Scott And All Star Group Tony Scott(cl), Sleepy
Matsumoto(ts), Fujii(p),One
Mitsuru(b), Shiraki(d).
- Asahi Studio: recording Session, Tony Scott(cl),
Kyohei Uyama(gt), Kunihiko
Sugano(p), Isao Suzuki(b), George
Otsuka(d): Blues for Nightfall (Tony
Scott) (Asahi Sonorama Vol.1 rec.4)
- Movie: Kanpai- Gokigen Yaroh, directed by Masaharu Segawa, produced
by Toei Motion Pictures: playing Blues
for Charlie Parker with Masao Yagi(p),
Isao Suzuki(b), Yasuhiko
Togashi(d).
On September 13th 1960, Tony Scott left Japan for
Indonesia on a 50 day grant from State Department USIS to play, teach
and lecture about jazz:
Indonesia, Djakarta
- Government
Radio Station: Jazz workshop and concert with a 16 piece band and
with some other musicians.
- American Embassy
Garden: first concert( 3 hours) playing with the Radio Orchestra
featuring different groups - Concerts with All Star Group composed of
top Indonesian musicians: Nick Mamahit(p), Jack Lemmers(g), Marjono(ts)
- Several more concerts with the smaller groups and several broadcast.
Indonesia- Surabaya
- radio concerts and studio recording sessions:
Tony Scott with Bubi Chen Quartet - Bubi Chen(ts),
Jack Lemmers(g),Yopi Chen(b), Nico
Chen(dr) - and with Gamelan
and Krontjong Orchestra.
"Bubi is a very modern pianist and with Jack
we were able to get some very modern sounds going. The Chens are of Chinese
descent and their family has been in Indonesia seven generations. Bubi
and Jack are among the highest calibre modern jazz musicians. I also used
a Gamelan orchestra and Krontjong orchestra from the radio station. By
this time I was familiar with Indonesia classical and folk music and our
concerts were divided into jazz, Gamelan, Krontjong, and jazz vocals by
Dee Walujo (who's favorite singer is Ella)" (Tony
Scott)
Some songs:
Tony Scott, 1 harp player: Mountain Boy
Playing the flute
Tony Scott(cl), 2 zithers players , 1 flute
player: Kechapi Music
Tony Scott(cl), Bubi Chen(p), Yopi (b), Nico
Chen(d): Pelok Blues
"In Central Java there is a type of instrument,
unlike anything else in Indonesia, which is called the Kechapi. It is
a stringed instrument which is played like a harp. In a trio, one is pitched
low, the other high, and, with a bamboo flute, forms a charming trio.
The sound is like that of the Middle east and after listening to and recording
the trio, I ventured playing with them, playing the part usually taken
by the flute. Using their scale and style I recorded with them and the
flute player titled it for me: 'Mountain Boy Play the Flute'. I improvised
melody with variations, in their style, which amazed the musicians who
knew me only as a musician who played that strange music they heard in
the studios." (Tony Scott)
- Concerts sponsored by Government Radio
- Concerts in small Indonesian towns not covered
by USIS schedule
Bali
- Tony Scott with an all women's Balinese Traditional
Orchestra: concert
"I spent a week in Bali listening, looking and taking
photos. I learned how to chant phrases from the famous Monkey Dance (my
teacher was a very old man who was the leader of the group which put on
shows for the tourists twice a week) They were very surprised at my interest
and when I was able to chant the phrases they were amazed. Everyone was
sitting on his haunches, including me, as we chanted, smoked, and laughed
at my efforts. We spent a very exciting hour together. The typical Balinese
works at a day job, but is also a musician, painter, sculptor , dancer
or singer. The arts are all tied in with their religion, Hinduism, and
there is a constant stream of holidays and festivals which the tourists
can enjoy by being there." (Tony Scott)
Bandung
- Indonesian
Army and Universities Concerts (one week)
with Bubi Chen Quartet: Bubi Chen(p),
Nico Chen (d), and Yopi
Chen (b), and Jack Lemmers(g)
Singapore
- Meets many musicians, lots of jam sessions
and talk sessions; plays with Ahmad Wayneet(p)
Quintet.
On November 16, 1960 Tony Scott finished his grant
in Singapore, and continued to travel in and out of Japan till the beginning
of 1965:
Malaysia
- Palace of Prince Tunku:
concert with the Malaysia Radio Orchestra
(big band composition and arrangements by Scott).
- Nightclub concerts for one month.
Thailand, Bangkok
- Ambassador
Club of the Erawan Hotel (until Jan.21
1961)
"Dear Mr. Scott, I wish to convey to you my appreciation
and thanks for your excellent performance wich you have given us during
your engagement at our Ambassador Club. Your shows have been highly successful
and popular with our guests and which has reflected very favorably by
increased patronage since your engagement." (Werner
Keller-Manager)
- Bangkok Jazz
Society: Sunday afternoon jam session,
outstanding Jazz musicians: Roger Herrera(b),
Flit Ballezer(d), Roxas(tp),
Vic Luma(tb), Ading
Dila and Pete Aristorens(as), Manny
Garcia(g)
"All the bands in Bangkok are from Philippines and
play all styles of music. The Bangkok jazz Society puts on a jam session
on Sunday as the bands works seven days a week." (Tony
Scott)
- Old England
Students Associations and American University Alumni:
concerts With Thai Jazz Musicians ex-students in America
- Red
Cross Benefit Concert for USIS, attended
by the King of Thailand Bhumipol Aduldej,
playing with Thai jazz musicians: Brasit(p),
Maum(b), Eddie
Chaturachinda(d).
- Benefit Concert for the blind, for USIS, presided
by the King Bhumipol Aduldej and the Queen, playing with the same Thai
jazz Group composed by Brasit(p), Maum(b), Eddie Chaturachinda(d)
- Palace Radio
Station: Broadcast-Jam Session
"I played with the King's Orchestra
and King Bhumipol Aduldej (as, ss, cl.) The Orchestra was composed by
amateurs who are friends and some of the Royal family, play stock arrangements
of popular songs, Dixieland tunes and compositions written by the King.
The King plays lead alto, soprano sax and clarinet in the jam session
type Dixieland tunes. The King is an exceptionally accomplished musician
with an amazingly good grasp of the Dixieland repertoire and style. The
outstanding musicians in the King's band are: pianist and concert master
Manratana Srikaranonda(p), Uthit
Thinakorn(ts), Prince M.R. Phongse-Amorn(d).
Some of the songs played were Laura, and
Flamingo (with the King playing beautiful
lead alto), and the Dixieland songs were Panama,
Royal Garden and the King's songs When
and Love at Sundown, which I had played before.
The King also played Petite Fleur as a soprano
sax solo. To be presented to the King is not an easy procedure and requires
much protocol as his schedule is very heavy and the affairs of State are
many, so I feel very proud to have an audience and the pleasure of playing
for the King and listening to him playing the music we both love."
(Tony Scott)
Hong Kong
- Several Night club concerts
- Personal appearances on various local disc
jockey programs
- Hong Kong
Jazz club: held a lecture, discussion
group on jazz, jazz concert
- Paramount Club concert: Tony Scott
(cl) with Giancarlo Barigozzi(saxes, violin)
Quintet
Taiwan
- Linkou NCO
Club concerts
Tokyo
- Tokyo Press
Club - concert, with Kuni Sugano Trio
Hong Kong
- Hong Kong
Radio - program
titled Tony Scott: Sounds Around The World,
compiled by Tony Scott with all his music.
Okinawa
- Marine Enlisted
and Staff Non-Commissioned Officer's Clubs:
concerts with house orchestra formed by Filipino musicians:
"Tony Scott has done shows at our clubs that still
have to be equaled by any other group or single performer yet to come
in Okinawa. He captures the audience with his opening number and until
the time that he finally leaves the stage, they are completely overwhelmed
and overjoyed at the fabulous performance of Mr. Scott he has been back
to my club repeatedly, as per the desires of my club members and it has
been the same at every club that he has played here in Okinawa.
(Marine Enlisted Officer)
Vietnam, Saigon
- U.S. Military
Clubs Concerts
Formosa
- Playing with Chinese
Big Band
"When I went to Formosa, Tony Scott was about to
rehearse a Chinese big band playing arrangements by Marty Paich and Bill
Holman. It was heartening to watch how Scott managed, with his tremendous
Verve, to mold an orchestra out of this mess of undisciplined and untutored
Chinese musicians. The most important soloist was a young guitarist Timmy
Huang." (Joachim Ernst Berendt - Down
Beat Nov.22, 1962)
Hong Kong
- Hilton Hotel's
Den: Concerts
"You are certainly to be commended as one of the
greatest clarinetists of all times as well as one of the finest performers
we have ever had at our hotel, as is evidenced by the large audience you
attract here nightly. You have creative imagination and an outstanding
style all your own. Words cannot adequately describe your type of music
and you must be heard personally to be really appreciated." (Kenneth
S. Moss General Manager)
- Hindu Temple:
played with the famous Indian singer of religious music, Tili
Bai and her Indian musician's group.
- Air Force Clark Air Bases Apo 74: Concert
Music
for Zen Meditation (Verve),
most world's famous Tony Scott's record was recorded in 1964 in Tokyo
with Shinichi Yuize(Koto) and flautist (shakuhachi) Hozan Yamamoto. With
this record Tony Scott is considered the initiator of New Age music The
idea he transmitted to the group was to play with an improvisational style
utilizing the musical scales, feelings and cultural style of Japan:
"The clarinetist Tony Scott's 1964 Music for Zen
Meditation has been called the first New Age album, followed by Paul Horn's
'Inside the Tai Mahal' and Oregon's 'Music of Another Era'. Keith Jarrett…George
Winston…Tangerine Dream…Brian Eno…Jean Michel Jarre… Vangelis...Terry
Reily…Le Monte Young…Philip Glass…Steve Reich." (Mike
Zwerin - Intern. Herald Tribune)
"If any one album could lay claim to have launched
the New Age music movement, this one can. Created in 1962, Scott's ethereal
blend of clarinet, shakuhachi flute, and koto still sounds as evocative,
peaceful and powerful as ever. The instrumentals promote relief of daily
stress and frenetic mental activity, encouraging the listener to focus
gently and begin a deep, refreshing meditation. Whether used as an aid
to facilitate trance, meditation, massage, or reverie, or enjoyed simply
as beautiful spacious music…Music for Zen Meditation is a classic."
(Patti Jean Birosik- The New Age Guide book)
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