I like all kinds of music, but they knocked it out the park, they are now my favorite jazz band now, and with yoyoka top of the list., whoever claims yoyoka is just a cover drummer this is not a cover they let her ride with original music
Hokey smokes! Growing from strength to strength! I am often impressed when Yoyoka puts up a new video. No. I am always impressed! But there are times when I am flabbergasted. This knocked my wig into my watch pocket! I am reduced to saying silly words. Thank you so much Ken Okada for making this happen! And may I say sincerely to the Hokkaido Hammer ~ We're not worthy!!!
Great job everyone! KEN: I'm not a musician, so I only watched about 1/3 of your interview with Content Magazine, but your attitude is so refreshing, both in that interview and throughout your performance last night. I know you were a bit nervous having to be the main speaker, but you did great! I've been following YOYOKA everyday for over 3 years now, and was lucky enough to spend a fair amount of time with her and the Somas' on a couple of occasions when they came to Las Vegas where I live. YOYOKA is truly amazing as you have discovered. Your Group is awesome as well! I love that you, as a successful long time musician, don't place yourself above YOYOKA. Like many other encounters she has had throughout her "career", most musicians are in awe of her talent and welcome, and even consider it an honor, to play with someone of her abilities. Most have treated her with the utmost respect, and treat her not as a child, but like the seasoned professional she is. Of course, she loves to play with everyone, and does not consider herself above anyone either. She welcomes each and every opportunity, and knows she can learn something from everyone that she plays with. All of what I just said applies to both you and all members of the KEN OKADA GROUP as well. You could have simply "allowed" her to play with your Group. But you went above and beyond to actually restructure your music to allow her talents to shine even brighter. I love how you talked about trying to challenge her to step outside her "comfort zone", then basically found out there aren't really any limits to her comfort zone. And finally about YOYOKA. She, once again, was truly amazing! She seems to go next level almost every week. My favorite YOYOKA performance is whatever she does next week, as I know that as great as this was, it will be even better next week. I have to say that her solo work during this performance is my new favorite for sure! And another thanks to you, Ken for allowing her the opportunity to do solos. Drummers don't always get these kinds of opportunities. You talked about wanting to be able to look back and know that you at least contributed something positive to this young lady's career. You certainly have done that already. You should feel proud of yourself. I know her fans appreciate everything you have done, and will do for YOYOKA. YOYOKA did not play a lot of Jazz before hooking up with you, and in just a few months has been able to be featured on two full albums, something that a lot of musicians can't accomplish over the span of their full career. So yes, you have already had a profound impact on YOYOKA! I'm sure this has inspired you to continue working on new music that can feature YOYOKA, and make your already awesome Group, sound even better. Thanks to everyone in the KEN OKADA GROUP for accepting YOYOKA as one of their own!
Thank you Mr. Black, for these comments which I consider so relevant and you are right to say that Yoyoka never ceases to impress us each time and in addition I have seen the shows posted on RU-vid at the Whiskey-a-Gogo and the musicians respects her enormously especially Chuck Wright and I must say that I am proud to be able to support her.
@@namorlam Hey Nam, I always appreciate your feedback/comments. Yes, she needs continued support to get where she DESERVES to be. Glad that you do your part! They always say you are not entitled to respect, you must earn it, and she certainly has! The respect they give her actually goes back to at least when she was 6 yrs old. In an interview, one of the musicians that was practicing at her home with the Somas' said she made a comment, "This song would sound better if you did it like this." The way I remember it was they all looked at each other, like who does this kid think she is? Regardless, they tried it her way and all agreed it sounded better...lol 😀
All the great rock drummers of the classic Era i.e. Cream, Led Zeppelin etc. were big fans of the great jazz drummers. So here is the Hammer coming full circle from LZ back to jazz! Also since jazz is built around plenty of improvised solos drummers get a chance to slip more of their brilliance into the tunes. Ken is certainly generous with all the players! Hope you are settling into your new digs!
Yoyoka is doing exactly what I envisioned 2-3 years ago - playing with adults, other talented teens, multiple genres of music... and only getting better.
The last song was amazing! Thank you, Ken Okada for bringing us this beautiful orchestration and for mentoring Yoyoka in terms of jazz music-awesome. Was that Tim Cook in the audience?
Watching the whole show, I just forgot about the fact that a young girl was playing all these tunes. It was when I saw her come out in front to greet the audience that I remembered she was a cute 14 yr old girl !! 1:30:43 What an amazing talent! 😃
What a smooth grove, I left this on as I did my morning chores and then slid out my front door, grooving on down the road. Put me in a great mood for the day.
I'm not a big jazz or saxophone fan but when I saw yoyoka was playing drums i just had to watch. Im glad I did yoyoka's drum solo was oh my God fantastic just blew my mind words can't describe how great it was.
I listen to jazz quite a bit and this sounds incredibly good, just beautiful. What a great job by everyone! And Yoyoka keeps getting better so quickly!
Thank you San Jose Jazz for providing the venue and the audience for such fine music. Thank you Ken, you've proved an excellent mentour for Yoyoka, and your band members are just great. Thank you Yoyoka for entertaining me so much these last few years.
Ken introduced his excellent band members with first and last names. Then: "Yoyoka on drums." This early in her career, she is already known and received just by her first name even among top end professionals and mentors.
That was very enjoyable, thanks for posting! Ken already said it: Yoyoka is not just a great kid drummer, but a great drummer, period! Her poise and sophistication as a true music lover is simply exceptional. And what a performance by the whole band! I thought Yoyoka must be tired after all that incredible playing, but the way she leaped back behind the drums when Ken said "One more song!" is everything!
YOYOKA is an absolute drumming machine (in a good way) and did two shows in Japan this year of 2 1/2 hours with no problem and mostly rock tunes. I believe it is because she is absolutely relaxed and transfers her energy to the sticks so efficiently! Her live streams often go 1 1/2 to 2 hours the last 2 taking requests live for some songs she never heard before.
What a beautiful and good show with the added bonus of the superb Yoyoka who never ceases to amaze with her immense and endless talent. Thanks to the whole group.
Dear Yoyoka, that reminds me to Tokyo Groove Jyoshi, but there ist a Piano and sometimes two Basses and you got a guitar. You done it very well, although its very different to your usual rocking stuff. Thank you😊❤
I think Yoyoka is already a better drummer than MiMi, which is not to say _anything_ bad about MiMi. Tokyo Groove Jyoshi is fantastic in their own right. I just wish they included Shinobu (Shamisen player) more often.
О, боже, как это красиво! Yoyoka это чудо!😢 Как наверное легко играть любую музыку, когда так чисто и метрономически точно сзади отыгрывается мелодия на барабанах. Все музыканты великолепны, но зажигает Уоуока....
