(3 min read)
In Japan when you encounter someone you haven't seen in a while they will often say "hisashiburi!," which basically means "Long time, no see!" And it has been a while since I have posted anything here, that's for sure. From the previous posting date it looks like it has been nigh unto 8 years. But the return to Japan after a 3 1/2 year hiatus seems to have reignited the desire to share some thoughts, with the clear understanding that in this age of Tik Tok few people want to read anything. You may have even noticed that with some on-line articles there will be a little notation at the top that says "3 min" or some such, so potential readers know the kind of commitment they are making before actually beginning the article.
Anyway, I arrived at Tokyo Narita Airport on July 21st, having left the dry heat of the Southern California summer for the stultifying heat and humidity of Japan. But I didn't come here for the weather. Rather, I have 14 concerts with my Disney jazz show, "Disney World Beat."
Now, since I "lean Red" I have a dim view of rules I didn't make myself. I'm not a fan of "better living through more rules." But the preparations to enter Japan and the reception we all received as we deplaned was a reminder that I was entering the land of rules I didn't make. You have to remember that the Japanese wore masks when masks weren't cool. So they were made for this moment. It appeared that there were more health workers meeting the plane than there were passengers getting off it. This all came after the stateside clearances required in order to be allowed on the plane in the first place: visa paperwork on both sides of the Pacific, lengthy on-line application, negative covid test within 72 hours of departure, install an app on my iPhone which allows contact tracing, etc. But that was just the beginning.
Like the ancient Jews, the Japanese like to "build a hedge around the Law," usually in the form of a "thou shalt not" prohibition. And the more ridiculous the prohibition, the more likely it is to be scrupulously observed. Problem is, I don't like being told I can't do something, because "doing something" is what I do. One of the "somethings" I do in our show is a little interview/"Name that Tune" segment with an audience member which serves as a bit of a fun audience warmup. So you can imagine my reaction when I was informed yesterday that at our 2 sold-out shows at Suntory Hall next week audience members are prohibited from speaking! And the amazing thing is that no one will. So like Galileo before the Inquisition I am forced to submit. We're just gonna have to figure out some kind of a workaround for human speech, that's all.
