MONKS TRIO

MONKS TRIO

YOUICHI KOBAYASHI (dr)・KANJI OTA (pf)・SHINTARO NAKAMURA (b)

We welcome you to enjoy the great performance of  MONKS TRIO at The Adirondack Cafe.

YOUICHI KOBAYASHI (dr)

Born in Akita City in 1953. Graduated from Shobi Conservatory of Music in 1976. In '92, he returned from New York and released "GOOD FELLAS". Won the SJ Magazine Gold Disc. He contributed as one of the leaders of the "Japan Jazz Restoration". Recorded live at Birdland, NY in 1998. In 2000, he performed at Art Blakey and Legacy Concert. They were introduced to the program under the name "Japanese Jazz Messengers" and became a hot topic as a concert trio. In 2001, he placed 5th in the SJ Magazine Popularity Poll Combo Category. In 2008, he ranked third in the drummer category. In 2004, they released a CD [Monks Trio] with Ron Carter and toured. In 2006, he released the CD "Culture Shock" (M&I) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the formation of the quintet (with the participation of Masai Unno). In January 2014, he recorded live at New York Smoke with Eric Alexander, Vincent Herring, and others. In May of the same year, the 26th CD "Live at Smoke" was released, and in July and August of this year, the same members went on a Japan tour of 26 locations nationwide. In July and August 2016, the same members will perform a 28-stop Japan tour and 10 China tours nationwide. In 2017, "Thake The Yellow Train" was released. In 2019, the 30th CD was released by King Records in March for the first time in 20 years. [Niagara shuffle] dedicated to Art Blakey. He recorded in New York with The Messengers, Philip Harper (tp), Robin Eubanks (Tb), Vincent Herring (as), Essiet Essiet (b), etc. In 2021, the CD "The Sun will be Coming" was released. In 2023, "JJM & The Battle Live" held at the Iruma City Industrial Flight Center will be released as the 32nd CD in total.

KANJI OTA (pf)

Born in Sapporo on July 4, 1959. Dropped out of Asia University. Jazz pianist. While still a university student, he started his professional career with the Hideto Kanai (b) group. He is active in groups such as Fumio Watanabe (ds) and Akira Omori (as) and his own trio. In '81, he released his first work "Blue Highland". He was active mainly in live performances and had few albums, but in 2001 he released "If You Told See Me Now" with Earl May (b) and Jimmy Lovelace (ds), which became a hot topic.

SHINTARO NAKAMURA (ｂ)

Born in 1956 in Kobe

He started playing the piano at the age of 18 and switched to bass at the age of 19.
He entered the professional ranks at the age of 21 and joined the Fujii Sadayasu (P) Trio and Nakayama Masaharu (Dr) Quartet before moving to the United States in 1982. In addition to numerous sessions in New York, he has performed with Woody Shaw, Junior Cook, Kenny Garrett, Joe Jones Jr., etc. He performed with top players and returned to Japan in 1984.

In addition to rejoining the groups of Fujii and Nakayama, he also started his own group activities, releasing the leader album "Evolution" in 1985 <recorded by N.Y. in '84 featuring Shunzo Ohno (Tp)> on the Street Noise label, and then participated in the recording of various groups in the Kansai region.

From April 88, he appeared regularly on TV Asahi's "Night A Time" for 9 months, and also appeared as an actor in other commercials (aired for 1 year).

In 90, Chieko Matsunaga (Vo) participated in the memorial album "Sleeping Be" <N.Y recording Kenny Baron (P) and Ben Riley (Ds) > as bass player and arranger (all songs).

In 94, he appeared on TV Asahi's "Jazz Night" with the Hank Jones Trio.
He moved to Tokyo in '97 and performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in '98.
99 Published the book "Example Jazz Bass Running 104 (1) ~ (5) (5 volumes)" by Rhythm Echoes.

In November 2003, as part of the Japan-Russia cultural exchange, he performed in Russia as a member of the Mitsuaki Kishi Trio as a goodwill ambassador, and due to its popularity, he also performed as an encore at the Jazz Festival in October 2004 and March 2006.

Currently, Mitsuaki Kishi Trio, Vocal Group Breeze, Makoto Nakamura Trio, Yuri Nagashima Minds Eye etc. In addition to the regulars, Kansai, Nagoya, and the Tokyo metropolitan area are more widely active nationwide than before.

At Adirondack Cafe you will experience the jazz live in close up and will have a great experience in food, drinks and the atmosphere. You would want to come back again.

The food and drinks are splendid. We offer Burgers, Philladelphia Sandwich, Apple Pie, Cakes , Coffee, Beer, cocktails, variety of Whiskey's and it goes on.

Please reserve before you come or give us a call to see if their are open seats.

The Adirondack Cafe 

Toyko Chiyodaku kanda jinbocho 1-2-9 Wealth building 4th FL

Postol Code 101-0051

03-5577-6811

adirondackjp86@gmail.com

Open hours 

Lunch Time Monday-Friday: 12pm-３pm

Dinner Time  Monday-Friday: ５pm-１０pm 

※ Friday open until 11pm

※ Third week of Thursday are 12pm-10pm due to event 

Saturday 12pm‐11pm

Closed days ：Sunday & Holidays 

Live Shows : Tuesday Night & Wednesday night & 3rd week of Saturday lunch

Jam Session : Every 2nd week of Monday night 

Saturday Lunch time are SP Record Concert 

Check out for more details on our website 

Adirondackcafejp.com

Where you'll enjoy jazz. Fine food and beverages.