Haruka Kikuchi- Japan: New Orleans Collection Vol.7

In July, as part of a Catching up with New Orleans series of reviews, I strongly recommended an ongoing recording project by a product of the Japanese traditional jazz scene; the New Orleans slide trombone phenom Haruka Kikuchi. In that review, I summarized Vol. 1-6 of her Japan: New Orleans Collection. The project brings together her extensive networks in both the Japenese and New Orleans traditional jazz worlds. When a Japanese musician is visiting the Crescent City she gets them in the studio to record a few tracks with locals. The Guest: Junji "Oji" Kimura This August she released Vol. 7 of the series. It features guest drummer, Junji Kimura, his nickname "Oji" means prince in Japanese. He has played with Black Bottom Brass Band since the 1990s. They are renowned in Japan and have also played in New Orleans, at Donna’s Bar & Grill no less, a now closed but legendary home for the city's Brass Bands. Kimura was born in Osaka (he's now based in Tokyo) & his father is the legendary drummer, Yoichi Kimura, who was one of the founders of Waseda University's New Orleans Jazz Club in Tokyo back in 1957. Connections: Waseda University's New Orleans Jazz Club That club has produced many great musicians, including Ryoichi Kawai, the leader of the New Orleans Rascals a group that has won continuous accolades for 57 years and counting. Kikuchi herself was a me