Jazz Articles about Stomu Takeishi

Satoko Fujii Orchestra New York: Entity

by Karl Ackermann
January 26, 2020

As she did in 2019, pianist/composer Satoko Fujii—an artist at home in many formations—opens the new decade with an orchestra recording. Entity, from Fujii's Orchestra New York, is the eleventh release from the ensemble that has remained largely intact for almost twenty-three years. It is an all-star collective that includes saxophonists Oscar Noriega, Ellery Eskelin and Tony Malaby, trumpeters Natsuki Tamura and Herb Robertson, guitarist Nels Cline and drummer Ches Smith. Entity has its moments of tranquility but ...

Cuong Vu 4-tet: Leaps of Faith

by AAJ Italy Staff
October 3, 2011

" Body And Soul ," “ All The Things You Are ," My Funny Valentine “. Tre standard, tra i più visitati/riletti/reinterpretati, in rapida sequenza. Ennesima incursione in melodie senza tempo per mascherare carenza di idee, ennesima dimostrazione di abilità ed esibizionismo strappa applausi, ennesimo tentativo di ridare vitalità alla corrente principale del jazz, ennesimo piatto precotto abbellito con decorazioni d'effetto ma di poca sostanza ? Niente affatto, se a servirlo (il piatto) sono due visionari come il trombettista di ...

Cuong Vu: Leaps of Faith

by Jerry D'Souza
May 3, 2011

Over the last 10 years, trumpeter Cuong Vu has made an impact as an innovator who filters music through the prism of his imagination. He has been agile enough to fit into bands as diverse as those led by Myra Melford and Pat Metheny, and has also carved a niche for himself as a leader who turns his compositions into distinctive portraits of startling imagery. On Leaps of Faith, he focuses his attention on three jazz standards, two pop tunes ...

Cuong Vu 4-Tet: Leaps of Faith

by Stephen Wood
April 2, 2011

Cuong Vu's Leaps of Faith is one of the most creative and thoughtful jazz recordings released so far this year, suggesting that jazz remains alive and thriving. Like the best of contemporary jazz, it's mixture of worlds is both atonal and melodic; free, but following form; complex, while also accessible. This record is rich in musical experiences, beginning with a free-flowing interpretation of the classic “Body and Soul," that drifts along on Vu's tender trumpet lines. Another ...

Cuong Vu 4-Tet: Leaps of Faith

by C. Michael Bailey
February 20, 2011

The order and presentation of music on a recording or in a recital are every bit as important in the music producer's skill set as is choosing what music to include. Had trumpeter Cuong Vu introduced his Vu-Tet's Leaps of Faith with the title piece, or “Child-Like (for Vina)," it would have been easy to dismiss the recording as a well-intentioned experiment, descending into noise and chaos before making its point. Instead, Vu and co-producer/bassist Luke Bergman wisely introduce the ...

Cuong Vu: It's Mostly Residual

by John Kelman
August 14, 2005

Since relocating from Seattle in '94, trumpeter Cuong Vu has emerged as an important voice on the New York Downtown Scene. While his reputation has continued to grow with solo releases including '00's Bound and '01's Come Play With Me, his four-year relationship with jazz megastar Pat Metheny has seen his name grow familiar to an ever-expanding audience.

Vu has appeared on Pat Metheny Group's last two recordings--'02's Speaking of Now and this year's ambitious The Way Up--and two lengthy ...