Jazz Articles about Satoko Fujii

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Satoko Fujii Orchestra: Double Take

by Mark Corroto
June 1, 2000

Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii has grabbed plenty of attention in the cutting edge jazz community. After briefly studying classical music, she came to America and breezed through the Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory. Her mentors have included Paul Bley and George Russell, and along with her Japanese heritage and classical background produced a talented pianist. That fact is evidenced on her solo outing Indication (Libra Records 1996), whereas her fondness for Downtown jazz and the new avant-garde ...

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Satoko Fujii Orchestra: Jo

by Glenn Astarita
April 1, 2000

The well-educated composer/pianist Satoko Fujii is the recipient of many industry-related awards while accumulating a fairly significant track record in modern jazz circles whether she’s performing free-improvisation within the traditional piano trio format or here with a 15-piece ensemble. In Japanese, Jo translates into “beginning”, which to some extent may serve as a paradigm for the manifestation of this rather ambitious project.

Along with an excellent supporting cast that includes trumpeter Jack Walrath, woodwind specialist Briggan Krauss, bassist Stomu Takeishi ...

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Satoko Fujii Orchestra: Jo

by Jim Santella
March 1, 2000

An explosive ensemble, Satoko Fujii’s 15-piece New York big band includes some of the world’s most creative improvisers working with powerful charts. A 1987 graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and a 1996 graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Fujii exhibits forward-leaning elements of compositional style while allowing ample freedom for her soloists to stretch out. She’s a prolific pianist/composer with a half dozen recordings in the past four years and more to come.

“Kyu" ...