The latest album from Boston, MA-based jazz vocalist Keiko Ito may be called The Trio, but the spotlight really lands on her delicate, sweetly innocent voice. Ito's twee vocals gives her the advantage of appealing not only to jazz fans but to indie-pop followers as well. However, do not mistake the tender caress of Ito's singing for absence of power or vocal range. Ito studied at the Berklee College of Music; she is no mere coffeehouse singer although her music lends itself well with those surroundings.
On the opening track, “Bewitched," Ito is backed by intimate, no-frills acoustic guitar. Initially, it gives the impression that Ito's voice is going to remain at that same quiet, cozy level. However, Ito is quite capable of striking the high notes to emotionally stirring effect. The vulnerability and subtle soulfulness of her vocals is reminiscent of the late Karen Carpenter, certainly not a name one hears frequently in the jazz world. The resemblance of Ito's voice to that of Carpenter's might be linked to a musical background that extends beyond jazz. After all, Ito's album itself isn't purely jazz; there are elements here of folk and acoustic pop as well as bossa nova. “I want to pursue a sense of unity in my music," Ito explained. And, sure enough, that mission is clearly displayed here.
As proven by “Kaerenai Futari," Ito can sing beautifully in other languages. In addition to English and Japanese, Ito knows how to croon in Portuguese and French. Such versatility is another factor that separates her from many of her peers. And even if the sentiments of “Kaerenai Futari" are not understood because of the language barrier, it doesn't matter because it soothes like the dreamiest of lullabies.
In addition to her music career, Ito is a model, too, having appeared in fashion magazines and TV advertisements.
On the opening track, “Bewitched," Ito is backed by intimate, no-frills acoustic guitar. Initially, it gives the impression that Ito's voice is going to remain at that same quiet, cozy level. However, Ito is quite capable of striking the high notes to emotionally stirring effect. The vulnerability and subtle soulfulness of her vocals is reminiscent of the late Karen Carpenter, certainly not a name one hears frequently in the jazz world. The resemblance of Ito's voice to that of Carpenter's might be linked to a musical background that extends beyond jazz. After all, Ito's album itself isn't purely jazz; there are elements here of folk and acoustic pop as well as bossa nova. “I want to pursue a sense of unity in my music," Ito explained. And, sure enough, that mission is clearly displayed here.
As proven by “Kaerenai Futari," Ito can sing beautifully in other languages. In addition to English and Japanese, Ito knows how to croon in Portuguese and French. Such versatility is another factor that separates her from many of her peers. And even if the sentiments of “Kaerenai Futari" are not understood because of the language barrier, it doesn't matter because it soothes like the dreamiest of lullabies.
In addition to her music career, Ito is a model, too, having appeared in fashion magazines and TV advertisements.
