Musician Kaleb James makes it happen

When singer-keyboardist Kaleb James came to Japan for a 5-week gig in 1990, he had no idea that he would still be here more than 20 years later, singing, performing with visiting artists, producing music and arranging live shows.

Born in Queens, New York, Kaleb has toured as both keyboardist and/or vocalist for rocker Lenny Kravitz, R&B/hip hop queen Ai, jazz/fusion saxophonist Oliver Lake, superstar Mariah Carey, Japanese pop star Misia, Chinese R&B diva Coco Lee, pop/rock singer Shunsuke Kiyokiba, singer/songwriter Monday Michiru, soul legends Fred Wesley & the JB's, J-Pop idol group SMAP, hip hop artist AK-69 and many more.

Over the years, Kaleb has also written, produced and arranged music for game software (such as “Bust-A-Move”), soundtracks for short films and TV programs, as well as jingles for numerous TV commercials. He has released two albums under his own name, (“In The Life” and “Déjà vu”), and currently is the concert reporter for the podcast, The Metpod.

Kaleb runs a company called Jamcake Music. With recording facilities conveniently based in Tokyo, Jamcake Music covers all facets of music production and writing from start to finish. His current project is working as one of the musical directors for the Michael Jackson Tribute Live at Yoyogi on Dec 13-14. Three original members of the Jackson 5 -- Jackie, 60, Tito, 58, and Marlon Jackson, 54 -- will perform at two charity concerts, and will be joined by Japanese singer Ai, singing her tribute song “Letter In the Sky feat. The Jacksons,” Judith Hill, Tortoise Matsumoto, Juju, Crystal Kay, Kento Mori and Travis Payne.

Japan Today editor Chris Betros hears more.

What were your musical influences when you growing up in Queens?

There were so many. I’d say James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, Jimi Hendrix, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Tito Puente and I really loved musicals, both Broadway and film. As a musician, I have always considered myself genre-free.

How young were you when you started playing music?

I started playing piano at 3 or 4. There were so many great musicians in Queens, including in my family. My father was a Latin percussionist, and his brothers were funksters. I used to borrow their basses, guitars and drums when I was about 8. The very first instrument I bought was a cheap Farfisa organ when I was 13 or 14. I had won $80 playing blackjack with my friends and used that to buy the organ on Christmas Day.

When did you start working professionally?

In my teens. I dropped out of high school and didn’t go to university. The only reason I didn’t go to somewhere like Berklee School of Music was because I thought you had to have good grades in high school or a degree to get into those places. I found out later on it was a school of music meaning it TAUGHT music and that you can get in without a formal musical background.

What brought you to Japan?

I first came to Japan in 1990 with my band to work at a club opening in Osaka. It was a 5-week gig. Afterward, a singer in my group heard of a club in Yokohama that needed a keyboard player and vocalist. There was nothing much better for me in New York then, so I stayed ... and I’m still here.

Over the years, have you been inspired by any Japanese musicians?

When I came to Japan, there was so much to listen to. There was a great fusion band called Valis. Their leader and guitarist Toshiki Nunokawa is a friend and great inspiration. Another friend and great inspiration is Monday Michiru. I loved Misora Hibari from the first time I heard her. Minako Yoshida is another one. She’s so intuitive and does incredible vocal arrangements.

Tell us about Jamcake.

It’s a writing and production team I put together. We produce original music and live show arrangements. For example, an artist or production company comes to me with an idea of what they want to do. They suggest a song list and then I make it into a show.

Last year you did a tribute to Quincy Jones. What was that about?

We have a series called Soul Searcher where we spotlight different artists who have had a major impact on soul and R&B music. We feature their work, speak about their life and music. Quincy is incredible because he’s been doing it for seven decades in so many modes so it was a challenge to bring all of that into a compact two-hour live show.

I heard you also worked with SMAP. How was that?

A group like SMAP comes in with a concept and song list already intact. In their case, my job was to cover the bases as THEY saw them, so I was basically a wrangler for the musicians to make sure they followed the SMAP way of doing things.

How did you get involved in the upcoming Michael Jackson Tribute Live?

I have been the music director/band master for Ai for about six years. She did an interview with some of the people who worked with Michael Jackson -- like his vocal coach, engineer and choreographer. It was so interesting and heartfelt that Katherine Jackson, the matriarch of the Jackson family, contacted her and said that it was one of the best interviews about her son that she had seen. She granted Ai a more in-depth interview with her other sons, The Jacksons. They were very kind and decided to do a MJ Tribute/Jackson reunion in Japan and invited Ai to be a part of it. I am a bandleader and musical director for the two gigs.

What can we expect?

The show has three sections. The first features dance numbers staged by various choreographers. The second and third sections feature The Jacksons together with Ai, along with an array of special guest artists. The Jacksons will do some of their classic hits as well as their new single, "Letter In The Sky" with Ai. We're waiting on a few more guests to confirm but so far, there's Judith Hill, Tortoise Matsumoto, Juju and Crystal Kay -- all great artists that I've previously worked with. It was a pleasure working with them all before individually and it'll be good to work with them again. It’s going to be a great show!

More than two years after his death, Michael Jackson continues to be a big money maker, especially in Japan.

Yes, and Japan will continue to make money off Michael Jackson. He is a spectacle, a phenomenon. Aside from being a fantastic singer and writer, he is one of the innovators of the music video genre. He personified some of the most iconic dance moves from the 1970s through to the new millennium -- the robot, the moonwalk, the spaceman, etc. He made it necessary to have a video if you were serious about selling a single. As the years went on and the world caught up, he was already on to the next new thing.

What are you going to do after the two concerts on Dec 13 and 14?

I won’t have any time to rest. I have my own live shows early in 2012. One will be an acoustic live show called “Kaleb’s Barefoot Live” at Rakuya in Naka-Meguro on Jan 6. The next one will be on Feb 3 at Blues Alley Japan, called “Kaleb’s WTF Bunch.” There will be a prize for the first person to correctly guess what "WTF" stands for!

How do you get ideas for music?

Wherever I go, the ideas just come to me for arrangements and tunes. The trick is having a way to put it down before you forget it. I always have a notebook or a recorder with me.

How do you like to relax non-musically?

I don’t need to go sky diving or bungee jumping or anything to relax. I am a night person and doing absolutely nothing outdoors at night is what I like best. Just me and the moon – that is the best way of relaxing I can think of. Other than that, shooting pool and playing with my whips.

Some foreign artists have thought twice about touring Japan since the March 11 disaster. What would you say to them?

Come on over and don’t be fearful about Japan. There’s no more danger here than anywhere else in the world and besides, your loyal Japanese fans could use the distraction from the doom and gloom of news.

How do you feel when you are performing?

I enjoy the interaction between musicians and their audience during a live show. There’s nothing like it in the world. That intimacy is really why we’re in this profession. I do my best on stage at all times because the audience deserves it and I want to be able to look back and be proud of everything I’ve done. That’s my philosophy for every show I do.

For more info on Kaleb James, visit http://www.jamcakemusic.com/ or http://kalebjames.com

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