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DAISUKE FUWA LEADS AN ECLECTIC PERFORMANCE
A self-described Japanese free jazz orchestra, the Shibusashirazu Orchestra more closely resembles Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. There are many parallels as both groups are led by a charismatic leader and employ just about any visual or musical gag they can get their hands on.
Shibusashirazu Orchestra was formed in 1989 by Daisuke Fuwa who has been successful in attracting some of Japan’s best free jazz musicians. He’s also got a fondness for Butoh dancers, stilt performers, and clowns, acrobats, and divas. As you can imagine, this makes for a terrific stage show with little rival. This is precisely the reason there was a large crowd at the Orange Court despite the fact most of Fuji Crowd had trudged to the Green Stage to see Radiohead.
Years ago, I saw the Shibusashirazu Orchestra close the festival on the Green Stage, and was impressed with their flair for the dramatic. On a bigger stage, Fuwa has more opportunities to perform, as he would stand mid-stage lazily smoking a cigarette with one group of performing artists after another floating by. It was an unforgettable memory, and when given the chance to cover the group again, I eagerly volunteered.
Sunday’s performance was more subdued than my last encounter with the group. Daisuke Fuwa was seated in a metal folding chair with his back to the audience. He was no longer the wild magician of yore standing with his arms outstretched on a large stage, but a modest composer with his hair shorn and often sitting with this back to the audience. In front of him were too many musicians to count, multiple sax and wind instruments, a whole platoon of percussion, and even a golden balloon in the shape of a dragon floating above the audience. And of course there were the dancers, the stilt-walkers and the divas who would command center stage. It was a fantastic performance which concluded with Chara’’s tune ”Love Song of Swallowtail Butterfly.” It was a truly fitting end to the Orange Court, and for many in the audience, the end of an exceptionally memorable Fuji Rock.
Photo by 花房 浩一 More photos here
