Jazz pianist and composer Fumie Chiba’s Tip Of Dream is a great example of modern jazz piano from Japan, displaying high-caliber technique and creative approaches to modern jazz composition. Through the album’s eight tracks, Chiba plays with confidence and verve, … Continue reading Fumie Chiba Trio: Tip Of Dream
At times light and carefree, yet also deeply and seriously musical, Sayaka Kishi’s “pure music” spirit shines beautifully on Colors. While the pianist is a vibrant part of many collaborations covering standard jazz, pop, classical, and Latin fusion among others, … Continue reading Sayaketts: Colors
Pianist Miki Hayama creates superb modern jazz on Wide Angle, exploring powerful, edge-of-your-seat quickness and other dimensions. This album, her third as a leader, received awards from the Japanese jazz magazine Swing Journal in 2009 and 2010. With the album … Continue reading Miki Hayama Trio: Wide Angle
Ideal for peaceful, calming piano, Ken’ichiro Shinzawa’s Piano Works features seven original compositions with a sweet purity in the musical message. The slow, melodic music conveys a pure innocence, almost evoking Japanese Studio Ghibli movies with scenes of happy animated … Continue reading Ken’ichiro Shinzawa: Piano Works
The Dairiki Hara Trio creates a jubilant atmosphere on You’ve Changed, playing choice jazz standards from the bebop and straight-ahead jazz songbook. The drum-led trio creates a live sound, bright and open, in a chord-less configuration consisting of drums, bass, … Continue reading Dairiki Hara: You’ve Changed
Pianist Mayuko Katakura’s 2009 debut album Inspiration immediately impresses, kicking off at a rapid pace with “Blues For Tyner”, a tribute to one of her own jazz inspirations. Right from this fierce start, Katakura’s amazing technique is on full display … Continue reading Mayuko Katakura: Inspiration
Four accomplished musicians reunite for a live recording of original compositions, bewitching music with a touching beauty. Starting with a slow build-up of sounds and chant-like effects, the songs develop deeply, breathing traces of folk, pop, and contemporary jazz into … Continue reading Ryosuke Hashizume: Needful Things
Excellent jazz from leading veteran players in the Tokyo jazz scene, this studio recording is led by bassist Satoshi Kosugi and delivers refined and hard-swinging jazz standards such as “The Best Thing For You Would Be Me”, “No Moon At … Continue reading Satoshi Kosugi: Bass On Times