Brian Eichenberger
Greg Stegman
Vince Johnson
Bob Ferreira
The Four Freshmen at the FFS's party on 7th Aug. 2001
photo by Shakushigakudo Master

目白のFour Seasons Hotelで一晩のディナーショーをやって以来、5年ぶりに日本にやってきました。そのとき、Brianは文字通りのFreshmanとしての来日でした。

今回はKevinのかわりにメンバーとなったVince Johnsonが初来日でした。彼は1999年の暮にメンバー入りしたばかりです。彼は私の半分の年齢にもかかわらず、音楽の修士号をもつインテリでとても人柄がよく、Four Freshmenの一員にふさわしい人物でした。

みなさん、たった1年くらいの間にどうやって自分のパートを覚え、あんなに難しいコーラスが出来るのか不思議だと思いませんか。尋ねてみたところ、彼も学生時代からのFFファンで、Freshmen Soundをコピーしては仲間で唄っていたのだそうです。

東京での公演は六本木のSweet Basil 139で2日間行われました。ステージを見て興奮しただけでなく、素晴らしいことをやってのける彼らの直向なすがたに感動したのです。創設メンバーたちが新しいスタイルを確立させた偉大さは十分に認知するところですが、この4人の音楽性の高さは一歩も引けを取るものではありません。

Four Freshmen Society日本支部には風変わりな狂信的メンバーが多いのですが、公演の前夜にご本尊を招いてパーティをやりました。一緒に大合唱をしたり、Jam Sessionをしたりと夜の更けるまで遊んでしまいました。

We had been waiting for the Four Freshmen coming since a dinner show at Four Seasons Hotel in 1996. This was the first time to visit Japan for a new freshman, Brian Eichenberger.

Vince Johnson joined into the Four Freshmen at the end of 1999, and this is the first coming to Japan. In spite of his age, just a half of mine, he is a talent and a very nice guy who deserves to be a member of the Four Freshmen.

I wondered why a new member can sing along with older members in a short period such as only one year. Vince told me that he has been a Fresh-fan since he was a student of University, and he used to copy from the Freshmen's repertory and sing them in his chorus group.

FF Live shows in Tokyo were held at Sweet Basil 139 of Roppongi, on 8th and 9th of August. I was not only excited to see their shows, but also I was impressed the new members performed FF sound completely. Every one knows the great achievements of the original members to create a new Jazz chorus style, but I'd like to acknowledge the members of #21 have high techniques in musical sense.

FF and the fanatic members of FFS Japan gathered at a Jazz live house "Sakuranbo", and spent a marvelous time on the previous night of the live show.

The Four Freshmen at the FFS's party on 7th Aug. 2001

link to: Four Freshmen Official Site

mail to: Representative of FF Society, Japan 市浦 靖氏