Results for "Tokyo"

Article: Catching Up With

The La Barbera Brothers: Jazz DNA

by Nicholas F. Mondello
November 7, 2013

It's an interesting phenomenon how certain families enter and distinguish themselves in this marvelous world of jazz--The Joneses, Heaths, Candolis, Royals, Breckers, Mangiones, and others. Over the last five decades--even many more if one goes farther back to when they were young children playing in the family band with Mom and Pop--the La Barbera Brothers--John, Joe ...

Article: Album Review

Satoko Fujii Ma-Do: Time Stands Still

Read "Time Stands Still" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
August 31, 2013

Several months after this recording, bassist Norikatsu Koeyasu died of a heart-attack in-between tours. Pianist Satoko Fujii decided that the band could not continue without his presence, citing his vital role and “telepathic connection." Hence, Ma-Do's third album will be its last. It's an unfortunate occurrence but a testament to the musicians' realization that a replacement ...

Article: Album Review

Satoko Fujii New Trio: Spring Storm

Read "Spring Storm" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
August 14, 2013

Back at the start of her career, Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii's reputation was considerably enhanced by her stellar trio with bassist Mark Dresser and drummer Jim Black. Together they waxed seven discs, with the last Trace A River (Libra) in 2008. Since then, the traditional piano trio hasn't appeared in her prodigious output, until the New ...

Article: Multiple Reviews

Satoko Fujii's Ma-Do and New Trio: Time Stands Still and Spring Storm

by Hrayr Attarian
July 28, 2013

Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii is a prolific and versatile musician whose fast pace and relatively large volume are never at the expense of quality. In fact her improvisation heavy records are innovative and cerebral yet they maintain a certain, surprising, accessibility. She has recorded in settings ranging from solo to large orchestra and always with a ...

Article: Catching Up With

Kawabata Makoto: Music Concrete, Space Resurrection, Self-Annihilation

by Jack Gold-Molina
June 9, 2013

Hailing from Japan, Kawabata Makoto has been a leader in psychedelic rock and experimental music, and an active performer and solo artist since the late 1970s. Mostly famous as a founding member/guitarist for Acid Mothers Temple since the mid- 1990s, he has released literally dozens of albums--many on psychedelic-colored vinyl-- and has done vital work with ...

Article: Album Review

Satoko Fujii ma-do: Time Stands Still

Read "Time Stands Still" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
June 2, 2013

When asked why she has lead or co-lead so many different projects (23 at last count), pianist Satoko Fujii replied “It's like food. I don't like just Japanese food, but also Italian food, French food and so on, and I would soon get tired if I just ate Japanese food." If her ma-do quartet were to ...

Article: Multiple Reviews

Introducing Yasuhiro Yoshigaki's Orquesta Libre

by Eyal Hareuveni
April 18, 2013

Japanese drummer Yasuhiro Yoshigaki is one of the most influential drummers in the left-off-center alternative music scene in Japan. A close collaborator of sound sculptor Otomo Yoshihide, included in all incarnations of Yoshihide's New Jazz Quintet/Ensemble/Orchestra, and member of the groups Emergency! (with Yoshihide), Altered States (with guitarist Uchihashi Kazuhisa), Rovo (with violinist Yuji Katsui, former ...

Article: Album Review

Hiromi: Move

by Glenn Astarita
April 3, 2013

Keyboardist Hiromi once again reaps the benefits of her superstar rhythmic section, drummer Simon Phillips (The Who, Toto, David Gilmour) and contrabassist Anthony Jackson (Paul Simon, Chick Corea, Steely Dan). A largely acoustic set, she yields an action-packed schema, teeming with intricately designed arrangements while zooming in for the kill on many occasions. However, Hiromi's breadth ...

Article: Extended Analysis

Tetsu Saitoh: Strings & The Moon

by Eyal Hareuveni
February 14, 2013

Japanese double bass master Testsu Saitoh is relatively unknown outside Japan. Most of his discography was released by small Japanese labels, including his own, Travessia, and naturally most of his collaborations are with East Asian musicians. Though he played and recorded with Western musicians, including fellow double bass players, as on the double bass quartet tribute ...

Article: Album Review

Kazuhisa Uchihashi and Tatsuya Yoshida: Barisshee

Read "Barisshee" reviewed by Eyal Hareuveni

by Eyal Hareuveni
January 26, 2013

Since its inception, the Tzadik label has continued to introduce musicians from the vibrant Japanese underground scene. Prolific drummer Tatsuya Yoshida is one of the most famous, active in countless outfits--most of them duos and trios. Guitarist Kazuhisa Uchihashi, who now resides in Berlin, is a close collaborator, guesting in Yoshida's legendary Ruins, recording a series ...