But in the years leading up to the terrorist attack of Sept. 11th,
the economy had taken a downturn and the music business had been becoming tougher and tougher. By
the way, on the day of the Sept. 11th attack Takako and I were scuba diving at Puerto Gualera in the
Philippines. That was to be my last scuba diving trip for a long, long time (to the present in fact!).
Within weeks after the Sept. 11th terrorist attack I lost a few major contracts, and most parties were
being cancelled. The annual Navy Ball which I had been organizing for 3 years in a row was particularly
somber that year.
Then, only a few months later I received a fax! The fax was from Skefke Jenson, one of the Food and
Beverage Managers of Raffles Hotel. I was being not renewed, let go, fired, by fax, after 7 years of
loyal and successful service to Raffles. I wondered why nobody in that so called revered establishment
had the decency to call, but such is life in the F & B business. That steady nightly gig being
severed, I went across the street to join the band at Somersets. I had been booking that room for a
couple years, and it had become very good, with great singers like Alice Day and Coco York. I joined
the quintet I had put together with pianist Michael Stanton and singer Coco York. During the same
period I traveled to Kuala Lumpar, the capital of Malaysia, to play the Heineken Jazz Festival and do
a couple nights at one of the small jazz clubs there. These gigs were to be my swan song to that
region so to speak.
Stars
and Sars, Shanghaid'
By
this time the Westin Hotels' lease had expired and Raffles
International had taken over those two Singapore hotel properties.
Some of the former management of the Westin were now in Shanghai
preparing to open their new 5 star hotel in Shanghai. They
asked me to organize their band and I did. I went there in
Sept. 2002 and performed in their "Niche Bar" until SARS shut
us down in June of 2003. I was playing with Donald Jackson
on bass, Jack Holland on piano, and Dee Dee McNeil singing.
We were the 'talk of the town', and were dubbed by the local
press "the best jazz band in all of China". I dare say it
may have been true. I had superlative musicians surrounding
me, and we were becoming stars there. But, the SARS scare
and China government warnings to stay home emptied the bar
over one weekend, and the hotel had no choice but to reluctantly
let us go, and my wife and I headed for Japan in June of 2003.
Japan
Jazz
Only weeks after our arrival in Japan my wife was diagnosed
with late stage cancer. She lasted another one year +, but
on July 29th 2004, EXACTLY 4 years to the day after our wedding
celebration at Raffles, she died. Then on Aug 1st 2004, EXACTLY
4 years to the day after our formal government wedding in
Singapore, she was cremated in a traditional Bhuddist ceremony.
I wrote at length about this ceremony and have included the
story on this site. I hope you will take the time to read
it. English
/ Japanese
This time in Japan, dealing with my wife's cancer and trying
to survive despite it, has been the biggest challenge of my
life, and by far, the biggest sadness. Now I look forward
to making the best of the situation, and this website update
is but a start.
The newest musical development for me in Japan is that I have
finished a new CD, my 6th to date, and my first official release
in Japan, called "Where We Find Ourselves". The background
story of the CD can be found here.
I have formed a new group called "Bossa Nouveau", a duo or
trio of flute, classical guitar, and hand held percussion.
It features, and is managed by two of the finest musicians
I know, Andy Bevan on flute, and Mark DeRose on percussion.
Our first formal gig will be at the French Chateau, "Joel
Robuchon", the award winning French restaurant in Ebisu Garden
Place. We will be entertaining the European financial group,
"Permira", with authentic Bossa Nova!
Other
interests
I once read
an article on the music business, and Dave Liebman was quoted
as saying he spends the majority of his time arranging for
gigs, rather than actually playing. I think he’s right, a
lot of time is spent making phone calls, going over contracts,
invoicing/billing, etc... Because I have my own agency and
produce my own recordings, the office work is even worse.
Most relatively unknown musicians need to get involved in
the ‘behind the scenes’ work of promoting and marketing if
they want to improve their exposure. All that daytime work
does make improvising guitar at night all the more enjoyable.
As far as recreation
and my other interests are concerned, I love the outdoors
and nature in general. I am a PADI Rescue Scuba diver, and
love the sport. I may continue my training to increase my
certification level. It’s a great way to ‘unwind’ and appreciate
nature as well. I’ve also taken up swimming. I enjoy riding
my bicycle around the parks and beaches of Singapore, and
sometimes hike through the Nature Preserve (Singapore is one
of two cities in the entire world with a tropical rain forest
within city limits). I still love food and cooking, though
I don’t cook much anymore due to my schedule. A good meal
with wine and conversation is a favorite of mine.
I have been
involved in organizing support groups for Hoffman Process
Graduates, and Adult Children Of Alcoholics. I have a business
partner who specializes in ‘stress management’ by portable
chair massage. I’m interested in the ‘healing arts’, counseling
and psychology. I have practiced Tai-Chi, meditation, and
yoga. I am pro-environment and pro-business at the same time.
I like to read and learn from books. Of course, I appreciate
art, whether it’s writing, painting, whatever. I don’t care
for bureaucracy, or dogma. I avoid waiting in lines and usually
don’t like crowds. I love a lively conversation, and enjoy
listening to people who are passionate about what they’re
speaking of.
What’s
in a name?
I
am often asked about the name Chako and it’s origins. What better
place than through the Internet to explain? Here goes
My Grandfather was a Greek from the island of Corfu. His name
was Paraskevas. But he was living in Istanbul, Turkey. When
the Turks wanted to draft him in their army he immigrated to
the USA. In order to get out of the country incognito, he borrowed
the name of a cousin, Chapopoulo. But when he arrived in New
York, he told the immigration officer there his borrowed name
rather than he real name, so both my father and I were born
Chapopoulo. When my mother re-married I used the name of my
stepfather, Jennings, while in high school. So although the
formal school records had Chapopoulo, my friends knew me as
Jennings!
Meanwhile, my ex-wife’s family were Chinese living in Indonesia.
Just like the Turks and Greeks, the Indonesians and Chinese
have had a strained political relationship. The Indonesian government
strongly suggested that ethnic Chinese living there take on
an Indonesian name. Their Chinese name was Khouw (pronounced
Ko), the name they changed to was Komala. So when I met her
she was Komala. Her name was further complicated by the fact
that she grew up in Cantonese speaking Hong Kong, but her father
spoke only Mandarin, and she was encouraged to speak English,
etc...(it gets worse!)
When we married we solved our confusing background as far as
family name, by combining the first syllables of our last names
and creating a new name. The (Cha) from Chapopoulo and the (Ko)
from Komala become Chako. Voila!
By
this time the Westin Hotels' lease had expired and Raffles
International had taken over those two Singapore hotel properties.
Some of the former management of the Westin were now in Shanghai
preparing to open their new 5 star hotel in Shanghai. They
asked me to organize their band and I did. I went there in
Sept. 2002 and performed in their "Niche Bar" until SARS shut
us down in June of 2003. I was playing with Donald Jackson
on bass, Jack Holland on piano, and Dee Dee McNeil singing.
We were the 'talk of the town', and were dubbed by the local
press "the best jazz band in all of China". I dare say it
may have been true. I had superlative musicians surrounding
me, and we were becoming stars there. But, the SARS scare
and China government warnings to stay home emptied the bar
over one weekend, and the hotel had no choice but to reluctantly
let us go, and my wife and I headed for Japan in June of 2003.
As far as recreation
and my other interests are concerned, I love the outdoors
and nature in general. I am a PADI Rescue Scuba diver, and
love the sport. I may continue my training to increase my
certification level. It’s a great way to ‘unwind’ and appreciate
nature as well. I’ve also taken up swimming. I enjoy riding
my bicycle around the parks and beaches of Singapore, and
sometimes hike through the Nature Preserve (Singapore is one
of two cities in the entire world with a tropical rain forest
within city limits). I still love food and cooking, though
I don’t cook much anymore due to my schedule. A good meal
with wine and conversation is a favorite of mine.
I have been
involved in organizing support groups for Hoffman Process
Graduates, and Adult Children Of Alcoholics. I have a business
partner who specializes in ‘stress management’ by portable
chair massage. I’m interested in the ‘healing arts’, counseling
and psychology. I have practiced Tai-Chi, meditation, and
yoga. I am pro-environment and pro-business at the same time.
I
am often asked about the name Chako and it’s origins. What better
place than through the Internet to explain? Here goes
