Jazz Articles about Satoko Fujii

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Satoko Fujii Orchestra NY: Undulation

by Dan McClenaghan
September 15, 2006

Turbulence is a defining characteristic of Satoko Fujii's big band projects, where sections of collaborative sonic turmoil roar into moments of no-holds-barred soloing, with the segments of quirky tranquility sneaking in the back door.Undulation, one of four simultaneously released Fujii big band efforts by the ever-prolific pianist/composer/bandleader, features her longest-standing large ensemble, the Satoko Fujii Orchestra NY, a fifteen-piece ensemble that includes some of the Big Apple's most adventurous jazz musicians: reedmen Tony Malaby, Ellery Eskelin and Andy ...

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Satoko Fujii Orchestra Kobe: Kobe Yee!!

by Dan McClenaghan
September 7, 2006

"I just write some music and lead them," says Satoko Fujii, of her Satoko Fujii Orchestra Kobe. This statement by the Japanese-born pianist/composer of unrestricted imagination refers to the fact that rehersals, gigs and recordings for this particular band are handled by Tetsumasa Kono. The prolific Fujii obviously has a plate piled high with musical projects. Kobe Yee!! is one of four simultaneously released big band discs, hot on the heels of avant trio outings, power house quartet sets, and ...

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Satoko Fujii: Undulation and Live!!

by Kurt Gottschalk
June 9, 2006

Satoko Fujii Orchestra NY Undulation Polystar 2006 Satoko Fujii Orchestra Tokyo Live!! Libra 2005

It would be easy to assume that there's something to be gleaned about the differences between Eastern and Western jazz from pianist Satoko Fujii's New York and Tokyo orchestras. Fujii is a singular composer, generally more rooted ...

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Satoko Fujii Quartet: Angelona

by Jim Santella
March 5, 2006

Forming a progressive alliance of jazz and rock, Satoko Fujii unleashes Angelona with a flash-bang authority that grabs you hard and fast. It's her quartet's best performance to date. While Vulcan (2001) was named after the Roman god of fire, Minerva (2003) was named after the Roman goddess of wisdom, and Zephyros (2004) was named after the Greek god of the west wind, this one contains an allure that applies to all audiences. Angelona's program represents a collage of musical ...

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Satoko Fujii Four: Live in Japan 2004

by Glenn Astarita
January 25, 2006

Pianist/composer Satoko Fujii looms as a modernist via her adventurous big band endeavors, side projects and longstanding trio, featured here. With the addition of freewheeling trumpeter Natsuki Tamura on certain tracks, the band enjoys some added depth. But this is a unit that is sharply focused, and in certain instances it conveys the epitome of classic jazz improvisation, dappled with a free-form edge. Nonetheless, the musicians seemingly have loads of fun by cleverly deconstructing motifs amid some razzle-dazzle and Fujii's ...

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Satoko Fujii Four: Live in Japan 2004

by Jim Santella
December 10, 2005

When pianist Satoko Fujii, along with her New York trio and her husband, performed this concert in Saitama, Japan on July 28, 2004, their cohesiveness brought a satisfying sensation before the audience. They built each piece with deliberation and stretched out with a free spirit.

“Illusion Suite" was recorded by Fujii's trio and released last year as part of an album of the same name. Here, in a concert setting, the trio forges “Illusion Suite" with a gradual ...

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Satoko Fujii Four: Live in Japan 2004

by Dan McClenaghan
December 5, 2005

Satoko Fujii creates one of the most original sounds in jazz, in any setting, though the word “jazz" is too confining to describe what she does. The ever-prolific Japanese-born pianist has recorded with about fifteen different ensemble configurations--everything from solo and duo outings to quartets and big bands, and much in between. Live in Japan 2004 finds the ever-mercurial artist with her Fujii/Dresser/Black trio, augmented by trumpeter Natsuki Tamura.Fujii's longest-standing recording associations are with her trio, and her ...