Yoshitaka Uematsu (Matsu)
Matsu, Bill Pace & a very important man - the bartender!
San Marino Jazz Club - Tokyo 2000
Dear Friends,
This page is dedicated to the memory of
Yoshitaka Uematsu (Matsu),
our good friend, drummer and
bon vivant who dedicated his life to Jazz.
Matsu passed away in his beloved city of
Tokyo, Japan on June 1st, 2008
and we honor his memory.
He is greatly missed by all his
friends and supporters.
Turn on your speakers and listen to Matsu
along with Brian Murphy - piano and
Bill Pace - bass at San Marino Jazz Club,
Ebisu (Tokyo) October 2000!
In Tokyo Matsu was a member of the highly
regarded Tsuyoshi Yamamoto trio.
A number of recordings were released
internationally including “Speak Low”
on Venus records. Matsu performed with
many other Japanese ensembles
and was celebrated as one of the
few Japanese musicians who
had attained success and respect in America.
Matsu spent eight years of his American life in New York. He studied drums with the great Jimmy Cobb and performed with Wallace Roney, Dennis Irwin, John Clayton, Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Drew Jr. and many others.
He lived and worked in Key West for more than ten years.
He was a local favorite and appeared at many of the nightspots looking resplendent in his usual attire - dress shirt, bowtie. blazer and, occasionally a hat, usually arriving by bicycle or cab (with his drums).
Matsu particularly enjoyed the “fresh air” that Key West offered.
He was also an excellent sushi chef and loved to create his special dishes for friend’s parties!
He performed at all the local events and nightspots including:
Captain Hornblower’s, Fantasy Fest, Key West Jazz Festival,
Little Palm Island, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville,
Kelly McGillis' Caribbean Bar, Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Centre, Green Parrot Bar, Schooner Wharf Bar, Grunts, Barefoot Bob’s, Ricky's Blue Heaven & The Bull with these artists:
Ira Sullivan, Dave Burns, Peter Diamond, Lonnie Jacobson,
Leanna Collins, Melody Cooper, Donna Blue MacDonald,
Brian Murphy, Barry Ries,Danny Knowles, Michael Gillis, Joe Donato, Carmen Rodriguez,Christine Naughton, Michael Thomas, Chief Billy, Steve Gilmore, Othello Molineaux, Phil Flanigan, Carol Chaikin, Pepito Hernandez, Lonnie Jacobson and Marty Stonely, Phil Sampson,
Jaui Schneider and Tim McAlpine among others.
Brian Murphy Trio with Matsu & Bill Pace - Tokyo 2000
Dave Burns Trio (Matsu & Lonnie Jacobson) with Joe Donato
Key West 1990s
Captain Hornblower’s - Key West
Danny Knowles, Michael Gillis, Brian Murphy & Matsu
Friends at San Marino Jazz Club - Tokyo 2000
Donna Blue MacDonald, Matsu & Chiharu
Miami Beach 2002
Matsu - Shibuya (Tokyo) October 2000
Matsu and Carole Ann Borges
Captain Edy’s Boat
Ah yes! The Mustache
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Any words of condolence, any remembrances, photos, anecdotes
or any other personal memories that you would like to
share with Chiharu and Matsu’s friends would be appreciated.
Please email or send them to me and I will make sure that
she receives them and they are included.
Click HERE for a tribute page from Matsu’s friends!
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© Brian Murphy 2003 - 2011