Pianist, composer, educator Deviana Daudsjah has brilliantly altered the face of music education in her native country Indonesia.

As some of you may recall from last months’ episode, in October and November, I traveled to the far east with the Michael Franks’ band. While there, I recorded a marvelous December episode with bassist Kengo Nakamura. I finished my tour dates in Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, then traveled further south and landed in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Guest bassist, composer, arranger Kengo Nakamura is a skillful, unique player who is considered one of the most versatile musician on the scene today.

In October I had the pleasure to play Billboard Live Tokyo with the Michael Franks band. I was excited to travel to Japan as it had been a while since we had played there. This leg of the tour, we would play in Tokyo for 2 nights and then onto Osaka. It had been at least 10 years since we were in Osaka. I knew that Kengo divided his time between living, performing and teaching in Japan and doing the same thing in the United States. Before I arrived I emailed Kengo to see if he would be in Tokyo...

Moving back to my 20 years with Michael Franks anniversary tribute, I have the utmost delight in speaking with a gentleman that I’ve known primarily from listening to his music. And once again, through Michael, I now have the greatest pleasure to work with this unique artist Mark Egan.

Guest electric bassist, composer, producer Mark Egan is the most respected and in demand bassist on the music scene today.