Introducing Koichi Hirata is the 2024 debut release from jazz guitarist Koichi Hirata. Hirata is a young, up-and-coming player who has established himself as a popular musician in the live Tokyo circuit, playing live often as a support musician or a leader at his own gigs and popular jazz jam sessions. His style is unadorned with a comfortably warm sound and style that immediately brings to mind the much-admired jazz guitarists of previous generations.

This album is a live recording made at the popular, long-running Tokyo jazz club Alfie and captures a date with Hirata and his quartet starring Mamoru Ishida on piano, Yutaka Yoshida on bass, and Yusuke Yaginuma on drums. True to its title, this is an excellent introduction the new player with a selection of old standards played in a completely satisfying, traditional way, and the perfect swing, taste, and synchronized group energy was not only for a fun live show at the time, but produced a great recording to boot.

Liner Notes

(Translated from Mikio Hasui’s original Japanese liner notes)

The first time I saw Koichi Hirata live, my initial impression was that he was much younger than I expected, yet with a calm and composed demeanor. That first impression of him was a perfect match to the sound that poured out of his beautiful full acoustic guitar. The first song, “A Weaver of Dreams”, began with a quiet solo introduction, and it reminded me of a famous guitar player that I also love, Kenny Burrell. I thought that Kenny Burrell must be one of the guitar players that Koichi Hirata also surely admires.

Speaking of that, that Kenny also has an album with a similar title, Introducing Kenny Burrell. Since this album’s title is Introducing Koichi Hirata, it must also contain a considerable amount of respect for Kenny. Hirata, originally from Sapporo, is currently a 22-year-old university student.

Have you been playing jazz guitar from the start?

“When I was in second grade of elementary school, I was influenced by the Beatles and started to play guitar. Initially, it was not jazz that I loved, it was blues and R&B, and I would play that a lot. Later, I discovered Larry Carlton and gradually developed an interest in jazz. I first learned about John Coltrane through one of Larry Carlton’s interviews, and through the album Blue Train and others, I became seriously devoted to jazz.”

If I had to pick one, I’d say it’s a quite orthodox jazz guitar style, right?

“I feel that rather than saying I play jazz guitar because I love jazz guitar, it’s more that I love jazz and I play guitar. When it comes to jazz, I like the straight-ahead jazz style of the 50s and 60s, so my playing style and tone end up taking on characteristics from those eras. Of course, I also listen to the performances of guitarists from various genres as well. I especially like blues, and players like B. B. King, Albert King, and T-Bone Walker. I think our generation is blessed in that we can listen to that traditional orthodox style, as well as rock, avant-garde, modern contemporary music, and other genres in the same way and absorb them all equally.”

What does standard jazz mean to you?

“As for me, standard jazz is melody, after all is said and done. I also hold the content of the lyrics to be important, but what I want to express more is how the beauty of those melodies inspires moods and emotions. And I want to share the beauty of those jazz standards that we call masterpieces with as many people as I can.”

Was there any specific intention behind the songs selected for this album?

“I chose songs from among those that I usually play with this group. If I had to say, these are standards that I particularly like. I am self-taught on guitar, so you could also say that my interpretation of jazz is also self-taught. These are all songs that I simply enjoy listening to as music.”

At the start, I wrote that Koichi Hirata’s quiet demeanor suited his orthodox guitar style well. But after intently listened to this album many times, I realized that I was mistaken. While you can hear that orthodoxy in his style and tone, I picked up on the additional attractions of soulful bluesiness and a funky side in the performance. The comments he shared for this interview are the very things that define his sound. After all, jazz is the performers themselves.

1.A Weaver of Dreams

A standard by Jack Elliott (lyrics) and Victor Young (music). Kenny Burrell’s version of this song is famous, but John Coltrane delivers a wonderful one-horn performance of this song on a Cannonball Adderley album. Hirata plays this at a slow medium tempo, and his simple but delicate improvisation honor great guitarists of the past with a mature performance that stands in contrast to his young age.

2.This Could Be the Start of Something Big

Music and lyrics by American TV broadcaster Steve Allen. Translating the title literally as something big may be about to happen, these are lyrics that create that subtle anticipation of excitement. The performance starts with Yusuke Yaginuma’s lively drumming, and his characteristic drum sound makes this uptempo standard all the more thrilling. Following Hirata’s casually swinging guitar is Mamoru Ishida’s piano, which is also thrilling.

3.The Shadow of Your Smile

With music by Johnny Mandel and lyrics by Paul Francis Webster, this was the theme song for the American movie The Sandpiper. It is a ballad loved and performed by many jazz musicians, including Oscar Peterson. It’s also loved by guitarists, and Herb Ellis and Joe Pass played this song as a duo. Hirata plays it simply, without altering the beautiful melody, but with lots of emotion. The soulfulness intensifies in the second half with a four-person jam that is delightful.

4.These Are Soulful Days

This is a song by trumpeter Calvin Massey that seems to have become famous after it was included on the album Lee-Way by fellow trumpeter Lee Morgan. This session is supported by the powerful rhythm section of Yutaka Yoshida and Yusuke Yaginuma that gives this music, which is usually performed with horn sections, into something that has a completely different appeal. Yutaka Yoshida’s bass solo is hearty and engrossing.

5.Frame for the Blues

This song, a blues tune written by American trombone player Slide Hampton, starts by featuring a robustly bluesy solo by Yutaka Yoshida that seems to proclaim “Now this is double bass!” It’s a perfect fit for Hirata, who started as a lover of R&B & blues, and his quartet delivers a soulfully traditional blues. In that sense, this may be the most Hirata-esque guitar playing on this album.

6.Fungii Mama

An original song written by trumpeter Blue Mitchell. It’s a cheerful calypso tune that brings to mind “St. Thomas” [by Sonny Rollins]. You reflexively feel like dancing when listening to Hirota’s dexterous solo, Mamoru Ishida’s comping and improvisation, and Yutaka Yoshida’s sensitive bass solo. And here too, Yusuke Yaginuma’s drumming is again first-rate. Yaginuma’s distinctive style, somewhat elemental and with a sense of melody, positively directs the mood of this song.

7.My One and Only Love

A ballad composed in 1947 by Guy Wood. Lyrics were later added by Robert Mellin and it became known as a very popular ballad. The performance begins with the simple intro of a guitar solo from Hirota that brings out the beautiful melody genuinely with skillful harmonization that absolutely fascinates listeners. In the middle of the session, the performance ramps up to a jaunty medium tempo, and Hirata’s improvisation also begins to show his characteristic soulful side. Although it’s a staple ballad that is known by many people, here it becomes one that is filled with this quartet’s personality.

Obi Notes

The eighth installment in the popular live stage recording series from Alfie, the long-running jazz club in Roppongi, is finally released. The eagerly-awaited debut album from Koichi Hirata in the orthodox style of jazz guitar!

Jazz guitarist Koichi Hirata is a current college student who has began to make his mark on the jazz scene. He pours his deep love of jazz into his guitar playing and seems to have already reached the level of mastery. A recording of the finest real jazz played with his trusted musical partners!

Introducing by Koichi Hirata

• Koichi Hirata - guitar
• Mamoru Ishida - piano
• Yutaka Yoshida - bass
• Yusuke Yaginuma - drums

Released in 2024 on Live at Alfie as AFCD-6008.

Japanese names: 平田晃一 Hirata Koichi 石田衛 Ishida Mamoru 吉田豊 Yoshida Yutaka 柳沼佑育 Yaginuma Yusuke

Audio and Video

• “A Weaver of Dreams” (track #1):

• “This Could Be the Start of Something Big” (track #2):

• “My One and Only Love” (track #7):

• Full playlist (Youtube)

• Excerpt from track #4: “These Are Soulful Days”

Jazz of Japan #369 • Jun 7, 2026 • Brian McCrory

Related albums: Introducin’ (2020), Two for the Road (2024)