By Ogova Ondego
Published October 13, 2013

shingo okudaira jazzHe is said to have been just seven when he first performed at Kenya National Theatre (KNT) in Nairobi in 1973. Now, 40 years later, Shingo Okudaira returns to Kenya from Japan for three jazz concerts dubbed The Return of Shingo: Real Jazz from Tokyo.

With his The Force Band, jazz drummer Shingo Okudaira—touted as one of Japan’s most successful Jazz musicians—is set to perform the first concert with world famous pianist Fumio Karashima and double bass wizard Takashi Sugawa at Carnivore on Lang’ata Road on October 16, 2013 at 7.00PM and at KNT on October 18 and 19 at 6.00PM. The performance at KNT will also feature Umoja Calabash Percussions, a local Kenyan act.

These concerts are part of the Japan – Kenya Cultural Exchange aimed at celebrating 50 years of Kenya’s political independence from Britain in 1963.

While tickets to the Carnivore concert will cost Sh1,000 per head, those to the KNT will be available for Sh500 per person.

The organisers of the event, PHAT! Productions, say advance tickets–costing Sh100 less–an be purchased from Carnivore, Tamarind, and Tamambo and online at ticketsasa.com.