Kazutoki Umezu “Show the Frog”

"Show the Frog"

(Doubt Music) 2005

Kazutoki Umezu—Bass Clarinet

This remarkable recording is surely the only solo bass clarinet work ever. Though, of course there must be others, this one will not languish in obscurity, but will be listened to. The bass clarinet that Umezu plays here has a strange sound, but an appealing one. As Umezu writes on the inside cover, "There's a kind of foolishness to the sound, but there's that warmth to it as well." The bass clarinet, like so many bass instruments has a kind of comic immediacy, but great depth and complexity, too. Somehow, Umezu magically conjures up all these aspects together.

The tunes are a wild collection from diverse sources. Ranging from Billy Eckstine and Thelonius Monk to Irish folk tunes, klezmer classics and an Ainu melody for good measure, Umezu feels at home anywhere in the musical world. He knows how to draw out the beauty of Eckstine, the agitation of Monk, and the deep feeling of Irish folk tunes. He gives the traditional power of "Chakton" (the Ainu tune) an impressive, thoughtful delivery.

Of course, Umezu throws in his own quirky originals as well, with lots of other animals in the titles, "A Lonely Dolphin," "Captured Two Rabbits," A Moon Cat" and of course the title tune. Overall, the child-like spirit to all of this is greatly appealing. Like some clown who captivates the audience, you know Umezu will be going somewhere weird, but it's still hilarious to see how far and how unusual. After all, creativity in its essence is about going beyond whatever limits in a new way.

It's not just open fun, though. Umezu pays attention to technique, too. This CD could be used as a master class, not only in how to play bass clarinet, but also how to really be at ease with an instrument. As comic as the sound can be at times (it really does sound like a frog!), it's the mastery of his playing that is especially striking. The maestro-like classical technique is always subservient to the smoothness and deep humanity, though. Likewise, the impressive collection of tunes remains an intimate and personal statement.

This CD feels like something he just had to do. The title comes from a mistake made by Prime Minister Koizumi who mispronounced "show the flag" as "show the frog" in a speech. What better source for a title? But political commentary aside, the CD is a great listen in itself and very thought-provoking. A musical metaphysics lesson, Umezu gets down to what makes music music. His hilarious fooling around mixes together with what is most wonderful about one musician and one instrument. On this recording, Umezu really shows the frog (however you want to interpret that metaphor) and then some.