San Jose State Jazz Festival

San Jose State University – Kamikaze in concert – Asian American Music Festival circa 1976

Musicians Eiji Tsuchiya: Piano, Bass: Ben Luis, Drums: Eddie Marshall, Suprano, Alto, Tenor Saxs: David Davoud Johnson, Alto Sax, Flute, Fue, taiko: Russel Baba, Guitar: Makoto Horiuchi, Percussion: Doug Santos

Recorded by Steve Yamaguma on a Sony TCM5 Cassette Recorder

I had been cleaning out my collection of cassette tapes and found a number of performances and club dates back in the day that have some wonderful music on them. For those of you who also have tapes that you want to preserve, audio tape degrades after 25yrs so you better move on it.

I converted them to 24bit 44.1 audio files, but the software used for the internet only take the 16bit mp3 format so the sound is a little compressed. If you would like a 24bit copy send me an email. Even then the quality is only what the top of the line cassette player of the time could produce, but I felt that the performance needed to be heard by those who would be interested. In the second tune Rain Song, the tape ran out in the middle of the tune so it ends in the middle of the guitar solo. For myself even given all these limitations the spirit of the performace comes through.

1. Thoughts
2. Rain Song
3. Spirit Dance