Sadao Watanabe

Sadao Watanabe: How's Everything

by Douglas Payne
November 17, 2008

In 1977, prolific Japanese saxophonist Sadao Watanabe began recording a series of jazz fusion albums supervised, for the most part, by pianist, arranger and GRP wunderkind, Dave Grusin. A hugely popular icon of Japanese jazz since the mid-1960s, Watanabe had already recorded four such fusion albums (in between other more straight-ahead projects) when he was offered his first American recording contract with Columbia Records in 1980.The first of only two records that came out of this arrangement was ...

Sadao Watanabe: Basie's at Night

by Terrell Kent Holmes
October 4, 2008

The packed house that greeted Sadao Watanabe at NBew York's Blue Note in August, 2008 was a testament to both his popularity and the rarity of his visits to America. Now in his mid-70s, Watanabe is still an impressive alto sax man who plays with confidence and a heartwarming sentimentality. He was appearing in conjunction with the release of Basie’s at Night, a double live CD recorded in Japan in 2007, with pianist Akira Onozuka, bassist Koichi Osamu, ...

Sadao Watanabe

by George Kanzler
September 28, 2008

"I want to get back to basics, I want to play saxophone. I've started to love playing straight-ahead again," Sadao Watanabe said over the phone during a break in a gig at a Japanese club. The statement might be a little puzzling to American jazz fans who know Sadao (in Japan "Sadao" is as common a one-name appellation as Miles here or Pele in Brazil)--if they know him at all--as an alto saxophonist whose albums were fairly ...

Asia America Symphony Host Saxist Sadao Watanabe

Source: Michael Ricci
June 2, 2008

Alto saxophonist Sadao Watanabe, one of Japan's most respected and influential musicians, and Spanish classical guitar maestro Angel Romero will perform in concert with the Asia America Symphony Orchestra Eclectic offerings will include pieces by Charlie Parker, Beethoven and the premiere of veteran jazz artist David Benoit's flamenco-flavored new work, “Dolores Del Carmen." Watanabe will perform “Charlie Parker With Strings," among other selections. “Dolores Del Carmen," with soloist Romero, pays tribute to Benoit's late aunt, one of flamenco great Jos ...
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Sadao Watanabe in Concert with Asia America Symphony Orchestra in LA on June 7

Source: All About Jazz
May 21, 2008

Pioneer Sponsors Asia America Symphony Orchestra Concert June 7 Featuring World Renowned Jazz Saxophonist, Sadao Watanabe

Twenty Hearing-Impaired Patrons to Experience Performance Using Pioneer's 'Listening through the Body' Technology

WHAT: Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. proudly sponsors the Asia America Symphony Orchestra for a concert on June 7, 2008 under the direction of David Benoit, featuring special guest world-renowned jazz saxophonist Sadao Watanabe. The performance also features a reading of Beethoven's Symphony #6 in F, Opus 68 “Pastorale," and the world ...
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Pioneer Sponsors Asia America Symphony Orchestra Concert June 7 Featuring World Renowned Jazz Saxophonist Sadao Watanabe

Source: All About Jazz
May 21, 2008

Twenty Hearing-Impaired Patrons to Experience Performance Using Pioneer's 'Listening through the Body' Technology

WHAT:

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. proudly sponsors the Asia America Symphony Orchestra for a concert on June 7, 2008 under the direction of David Benoit, featuring special guest world-renowned jazz saxophonist Sadao Watanabe. The performance also features a reading of Beethoven's Symphony #6 in F, Opus 68 “Pastorale," and the world premiere performance of David Benoit's “Dolores Del Carmen" for Spanish guitar & Orchestra, with a special ...
read more