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Points of Departure by Sumi Tonooka

From the album

Album Title: Under the Surface
Label: ARC - Artists Recording Collective
Released: 2025

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About the Album

After getting her start as a noted jazz pianist, Suma Tonooka has spent recent years working on orchestral commissions and film scores. Now she’s making a joyful return to her jazz roots with “Under the Surface,” a swinging and striking suite inspired by the way trees connect with each other underground – as well as her belief that “humans need each other to survive and thrive, just like trees.” She’s joined by Johnathan Blake (drums) and Gregg August (bass) as well as the four-piece horn section known as Alchemy Sound Project. “Points of Departure” starts with a solo that shows why Blake is on any short list of today’s most inventive jazz drummers. Tonooka’s piano playing is both adventurous and lyrical, resulting in an exciting and uplifting start to her suite.

Tracks

Points of Departure; Savour; Interval Haiku; Tear Bright; Mother Tongue; For Stanley; Under the Surface.

Personnel

Reviews

Under the Surface by Neri Pollastri

Date featured

September 10, 2025

This song appears by permission of the contributing artist and/or record company. It is for personal use only; no other rights are granted or implied.