On January 31st, guitarist MARTY FRIEDMAN (ex-MEGADETH) will give a Master Class at GIT in Hollywood, CA.

According to Marty's website, "He will be in town shooting one of his television programs for the NHK network in Japan and will make a stop at the music institute to take questions, perform some of his most recent material, sign autographs and there are some more very special surprises. This special event will be open to the public, so even if you are not enrolled at GIT you are eligible to attend! This site will be updated with more info, but please contact GIT in Hollywood for more details."

On January 2nd, Marty performed at Budokan in Tokyo Japan with KOTOKO.

In 2006 Marty penned her Top 10 hit, 'Kirei na Senritsu'. The two have appeared in various media together since then but this was their first time sharing the concert stage as well as his second time performing at the Budokan.

In other live news, on January 13 Marty made a rare "fusion" live appearance at the Blue Note/Motion Blue Yokohama playing with Japanese Taiko drum master HIDANO. Hidano joined Marty during the 2008 Future Addict tour of Japan. Much more info (in Japanese) at www.martyfan.com.