Kawaguchi, George

views updated

Kawaguchi, George

Kawaguchi, George, Japanese jazz drummer, leader; b. Fukakusa, Kyoto, Japan, June 15, 1927. He leads a big band and is still very active with his New Big Four, playing crowd-pleasing hard-bop tunes, and taking 15-minute solos inspired by Gene Krupa on his theme song “Drum Boogie” He was a teen idol in his native country in the 1950s, appeared in numerous films aimed at teenagers and commanded top dollar in concerts.

Discography

Jazz at the Toris (1957); Yesterdays 1: The Original Big Four (1959); Original Big Four: Live (1977); Super Drums (1979); Killer Joe (1981); Big Two with Lionel Hampton (1982); Maiden Voyage (1987); Plays Herbie Hancock (1987); African Hot Dance (1990); The Legendary Japanese Jazz Scene Vol. 1: G.K. & The Big Four (1995).

—E. Taylor Atkins