Former MEGADETH guitarist MARTY FRIEDMAN's performance with conductor Yukata Sado and the spectacular Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra was filmed last night and will be broadcast in Japan on February 20th at 9 AM on TV Asahi, and rebroadcast on February 26th and 27th on TV Asahi (BS). Those of you outside of Japan check your satellite listings.

This is the third time he has appeared with the Philharmonic as soloist, the first time with his own material, the second time with the Bach Brandenburg Concerto and this time with the Rachmaninoff Concerto #2 Opus 18.

As with Marty's prior Philharmonic performance last year as well as many Japanese musical broadcasts, this program will likely be taken down quickly from YouTube if uploaded - so friends outside of Japan please check quickly.

This is the 2206th episode of the program Daimei no nai Ongalkukai, a staple of Japanese TV.

Marty will play with AMEI for 2 more shows at Genting Arena in Malaysia on December 3rd and 4th. As with all Amei shows, these will sell out if they have not sold out already, so if you are in the area, be there!

Solo touring plans for 2011 are in the works and they will be announced soon.

As previously reported, Friedman is now heading the brand new record label, Gokukara Records.

The label is a subsidiary of Japan's major label giant, Avex. Friedman's solo releases will continue with Avex, and new artists that he works with will come out on Gokukara. The first release for the new label will be the result of a nationwide search through NicoNico Douga (Japan's more modern interactive version of YouTube) and its special community devoted to discovering the first artist/band to make its debut on Gokukara Records.

Friedman and his staff are sifting through entrants, and make periodic status updates as well as live UStream broadcasts on NicoNico Douga. Due to the sheer number of entrants, only NicoNico Douga community members may create videos for consideration.

As of now the label is domestic/Japan only and all pertinent information on NicoNico Douga and Gokukara Records websites is in Japanese. If you are outside of Japan and are able to use a computer in Japanese, all musicians/DTM's/arrangers are welcome to create videos for submission to NicoNico Douga. Access to NicoNico Douga may be limited outside of Japan depending on territory.

More info (Japanese only) at this location.