2012: A Special Night

April 21, 2012
Kyoto

Koichi asked me if I wanted to go to a “live club” with dinner tonight.  Yes, of course!  On the way there I asked him about it and found out it had been a favorite place of his father who passed away last fall.  Thus, I knew it was not going to be some swinging hot spot for the thirty-somethings.

It is located in Gion, the prime entertainment and geisha area of Kyoto with tons of bars, clubs karaoke, restaurants … all one can think of as entertainment.

We arrived at REPOS (Wikipedia was not helpful with this word) www.kyoto-repos.com, down stairs to the lower level (actually the basement) where the blonde Japanese hostess greeted Koichi like an old friend, my coat was checked and the owner, Ueda-san, also greeted Koichi and me.   Off to a very good start, agreed???  See YouTube for other jazz at Repos:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=arOP9aOXWXs

The place was quasi-elegant, black walls and ceiling, banquettes along the walls, tables and chairs set up in the center of the room, a large table in the very center set up for food.  Inconsequential paintings on the walls plus a Tang style ceramic horse about 3’ tall covered with geisha name stickers.  Patrons consisted of:  head priest from Kiyomizu Temple (Koichi’s home base), his son in late 20’s also a priest, (both in lay clothes but there was also another priest in “priest casual”), kimono clad young women, sexy very short skirted or otherwise enticingly dressed young chicks (mostly accompanying older men not their fathers), middle age and beyond men in suits, a very few wives, wait-staff both men and women in tux, even a Maiko (geisha in training) appeared near in full regalia the end near the entrance/exit!  I am quite sure I was the only foreigner there, except Kimmie (more about her later).  The band was set up to our left with baby grand and numerous keyboards, bass with a real big acoustic base plus electric, percussion all in metallic finish behind a glass wall (in case a drum stick brakes!) and guitarist to the far end.  All of this took up a good bit of space.  We were seated just in front to the food table.  There were six or more huge floral arrangements at the stage all from the same florist as the flowers and colors were the same except for one.  Gifts from patrons.

Koichi ordered drinks and we awaited the next move.  The buffet was announced and Koichi got food mostly for me as he said he had had a late lunch: finger sandwiches, salad, various meat snacks, a vegetable stew, but some good cheeses with crisp bread.  We had about 30 minutes to get food before the entertainment started.  At the appropriate time the remaining food, cloths and folding tables were removed revealing a hard surface floor in the center of the room and placing us in a front row location.  This surprised even Koichi.  Obviously his father’s devotion to the place was a factor.  Ueda-san came over to chat, give me his business card (meishi) and said he goes to Vegas every year to audition talent for Repos indicating he had recently heard dozens and chose 4 to come over.  The blonde hostess also came over with her meishi.

The band got into place and the owner announced the first set, a 20+ singer named Azusa who was a college track star but suffered some injury and is now concentrates on her singing.  Tall and dressed in a long white gown with full flowing skirt, strapless top, skin tight adorned with lots of sparkly jewels, hair piled high with a huge white flower nestled in.  She sang several songs (in Japanese) popular 20 or so years ago fitting for the age of the audience with the beat that encouraged clap-along by the audience.  Later, a few slower numbers.  She was joined for one number by 2 of the wait-staff guys with crazy sunglasses and white gloves for a little action, swinging dance and backup action, not singing.  She seemed a little nervous in the banter between numbers when she was relating some of her personal history.  But Azusa was always cute none-the-less.  At some point the wait-staff slithered around with some temaki zushi.  It is amazing how they can serve almost on their knees so as to not disturb any ones view. 

She was followed by a young male vocalist in a dark suit, open neck white shirt with a likeable style and appearance.  (They all came in from the rear singing as they came up front with a spotlight that was always directed into my eyes.  I‘m sure it lit me up as well for the audience members sitting opposite us.  Alas!) He sang a couple of songs in Japanese.

Next, Kimmie Horne (Check her out on YouTube.  She claims on one of those to be the grand niece of Lena Horne.) came blasting in from the rear singing a bluesy song that was not familiar but that was beside the point.  She, a tall African American in 5″ spike heels, a short dress with a black and white fine line print, loaded with silver sequins and a strange ruffled neck/collar.  But boy could she swing it …  meaning her whole body but especially below the waist!  Hair swept up and decorated with a huge white flower.  Iconic American jazz performance!  Her second number was ‘Lullaby of Birdland’ and she gave it her all!!  Audience loved it!  Now, a plate of fresh fruit for everyone.

The Azusa returned in a long dress with a huge hand painted pattern in bright colors and sang at least one song in English (you can get away with a lot if you are singing with a spirited backup by the band).  She was joined for one number by the young guy, did a few more on her own and exited to great applause.  The owner came out to thank every one, some one called out encore and we got one more song.  After that she was presented with endless floral bouquets huge, large and small plus additional gifts.  Staff members came up 4 or 5 times to relieve her of all of this.

Finally, the performance was over and we headed out with the chance to greet each of the singers. Kimmie was great, we chatted a bit, she is from Detroit so we had Michigan stories to share.  Delightful person.  The young man was modest and cute; Azusa was all-agog over the enthusiastic responses.  I complimented her on the English song and she said she had forgotten some lyrics but I tried to convince her it really didn’t matter when you are belting out a song.  We were all given gift bags and thanked by all the staff.  What and event!!  My only regret is that I did not have a camera to record some of this extravaganza.

Then off to Bar Whatever for a nightcap and bus back home.