Jazz Articles about Sumi Tonooka

About Sumi Tonooka

Album Review

Players as acclaimed as Uri Caine speak highly of their fellow Philadelphian, pianist Sumi Tonooka, who deserves a far wider hearing but works at her own pace. Long Ago Today, her first leader date in 10 years and her fifth since 1990, is accurately titled in the sense that it was recorded back in 2004. Sadly, drummer Bob Braye died in the interim. But thanks in no small part to him, the music from this trio session pulses with life. ...

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Album Review

Sumi Tonooka Trio: Long Ago Today

Read "Long Ago Today" reviewed by Michael P. Gladstone

by Michael P. Gladstone
July 5, 2008

The name of Sumi Tonooka conjures two images. First, the name of a fine jazz pianist whose album, Taking Time (Candid, 1990), was retrieved from a cutout bin circa the year of its release. Secondly, around the same time, seeing the pianist perform, chairing a rhythm section that supported the formidable duo of trombonists Steve Turre and Fred Wesley. Talk about cooking sets--this was a ringside table just under the feet of this powerful group, where it was possible to ...

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Album Review

Sumi Tonooka: Long Ago Today

Read "Long Ago Today" reviewed by Jeff Dayton-Johnson

by Jeff Dayton-Johnson
May 25, 2008

Sumi Tonooka is a pianist from Philadelphia with some impressive credentials: she can recall playing with Philly Joe Jones and has counted upon the services of the redoubtable bassist Rufus Reid on each of her records. More important, she plays with a mature and entirely personal style that makes her a contender for the ranks of today's jazz piano elite.Long Ago Today is a trio outing that derives a lot of its magnetic appeal from the mysteries of ...