Hiroyuki Yamaguchi Quintet: Mowna

Oct 03, 2025

Mowna is a 2024 album from bassist and composer Hiroyuki Yamaguchi. For this release, Yamaguchi wrote and arranged all nine tracks, which he recorded with a quintet composed of several musicians that played on his previous album Inner Perception (2018) by his Thursday Night Sextet, a band formed through jam sessions at the Tokyo jazz bar and local institution Manhattan.

On Mowna, the returning members from Yamaguchi’s sextet are Hiroko Mase on soprano sax, Hinata Ishii on tenor sax, and bassist Yamaguchi, and newly added members for this release are pianist Toshihiko Kohno and drummer Tomoyuki Okabe.

The word used as the title of the album is an unfamiliar one in both English and Japanese, but an explanation surfaces in small lettering on the front cover:

In Hindu philosophy, MOWNA (Silence), which has a voice of its own, refers to peace of mind, inner quietude, Samadhi and the Absolute Reality.

As Yamaguchi goes on to explain in the liner notes, the music he writes centers around a concept of inclusion and harmony, of welcoming in new listeners while satisfying the already jazz-acquainted. As a result, the music is nice straight-ahead jazz, relaxed and to-the-point frameworks that include pleasing two-horn harmonies (soprano and tenor sax) and plenty of room for uninhibited improvisation from the soloists.

Listening to the hard bop and walking beat of the band brings to mind the music of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, the sounds of Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean (esp. track #6, “The Puzzle”), and the modern touch of Benny Golson compositions. There’s sophistication and elegance in the grounded approach. And, once you read the liner notes and the subtitle, a deeper vibration begins to appear: Yamaguchi’s search for peace and truth, inner calm and wisdom, while observing what’s around you, and reacting with confidence as the plan adjusts but control is maintained.

Yamaguchi’s nine songs are steadfast in their fulfillment of his concept. Track #1 “For George” is immediately easy to listen to and to understand, bringing outsiders into the fold quickly. Yamaguchi’s straight-ahead bass walking and Okabe’s pinpoint drumming anchors the good vibes and twin saxophone melodies that ornament the prologues and epilogues to the bulk of the songs, that is, the jazz solos. Also straightforwardly done, most of the improvisation space is allowed to soprano sax Mase and tenor sax Ishii. Pianist Kohno takes his fair share, as well, captivating and swinging. Yamaguchi features his own bass solos just a few times, composed while keeping the music solid and rooted throughout.

The next track #2 “The Search For Wholeness” lays out a calmer melody of peaceful stabilization over smooth Latin downbeats. #3 “Mowna” follows suit like a teacher guiding the calm melody over calm changes. #4 “Reaching The Peak” increases the tempo for elevated excitement, and #5 “You Know Something?” brings the pace back down for a breather, allowing time for pondering questions and considering answers… maybe as a prelude to the next track.

#6 “The Puzzle” is slightly aggressively tinged in order to stimulate the senses, where the composing is more Jackie McLean than Benny Golson. #7 “What Are You Seeking For?” bring further good-feeling swing moments, with swing/Latin switch-offs that pop up in several of the tunes on the album a la the Horace Silver or Jazz Messengers style. #8 “Daphne Odora” is another Latin-beat tune with a locked-in pulse and energetic solos from the two saxes. Finally, #9 is a peaceful final word, a piano feature that Kohno beautifully paints from start to end, while the horns provide soft harmonies and the steady bass and drums reassure us, on the way out, that everything is in good hands and will be fine.

Liner Notes

(Translated from Hiroyuki Yamaguchi’s original Japanese liner notes.)

Yamaguchi Hiroyuki Quintet

Formed during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, and held their first performance in December of that year. Played songs from the previous release Inner Perception/Thursday Night Sextet (What’s New Records, ) as a quintet. Received positive feedback and started composing new songs for the quintet immediately. Performed a live concert on April 24, 2021, from a repertoire of all new songs.

We continue to play concerts to realize the concept introduced in the previous release: To make melodies that linger in the hearts of those don’t normally listen to jazz, as well being appreciated by jazz fans.

The Musicians

紅野智彦 Toshihiko Kohno
(piano)

We first performed together in 2003 at Takadanobaba Intro. He has innumerable points that are wonderful, such as his gracefully swung eighth notes, finely controlled accompaniment, and tasteful backing chords. We performed together as part of Hiroshi Murata & The Bop Band, and at Asagaya Manhattan as jam session hosts. Since 2015, he’s been a steadfast pianist in my Thursday Night Sextet (TNS). He’s active as a leader of his own trio and as one of the most dependable sideman musicians.

ませひろこ Hiroko Mase
(soprano saxophone)

We first performed together at Asagaya Manhattan in 2015. I was amazed by her great technique, tone, poeticism, and rhythmic precision. She’s been a member of TNS since 2018. Despite having only a short preparation time before we recorded our previous album, she gave an incredible performance. She possesses a talent for deeply understanding the band’s repertoire and turning what is written on the page into gorgeous music. She has also released her original work with her “Multiverse Suite” project, and is involved in a diverse range of activities.

岡部朋幸 Tomoyuki Okabe
(drums)

We first performed together in 2020 at Odawara Spats. His tone is beautiful, and there’s a spring in the combination of his ride cymbal and hi-hat that gives a superb liveliness to the music as it pushes it forward. He immediately became a part of the quintet. His personality can be sensed in his how listens closely to the sounds around him and elevates the music to a conversation with ideas that fit the situation. He has experience studying abroad in Detroit and has recorded with the world-renowned bassist Rodney Whitaker.

石井ひなた Hinata Ishii
(tenor saxophone)

We first performed together in 2022 at Akasaka Bflat. I was impressed by his solid technique, poeticism, can-do spirit, and heartfelt performance. He joined the quintet in January 2024. He has the genius and ability to learn the repertoire in a short time and improvise high-quality solos. He started piano at four years old and released his piano solo album in 2022. Aside from jazz, he exhibits a versatile range as a member of a rock band and participation in overseas performances. He was 22 years old when we recorded this album.

山口裕之 Hiroyuki Yamaguchi
(bass)

Debuted with leading Japanese pianist Sadayasu Fujii’s trio. Moved to Tokyo in 2003. With experience drawn from being a part of many bands and sessions, currently serving as a regular bassist for groups including guitarist Yoshiaki Miyanoue’s band, trumpeter Hiroshi Murata & The Bop Band, and guitarist Jun Satsuma’s quintet. Acclaimed for his steady beat and rich tone. Released his first leader album Inner Perception in 2018. Working on making his own music from the heart.

Performance Notes

#1. For George

A piece for alto saxophonist George Robert. I was inspired by the performances of his double-leader band with Tom Harrell. In 2016, he passed away due to leukemia in his home of Switzerland. (He was 55 years old.)

#2. The Search For Wholeness

A quote from The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, an author who influenced me. The book asks, if by being captured by the past or future concerns, are you overlooking the present moment?

#3. Mowna

From the Sanskrit word for silence, maunam. A quote from the Indian philosopher Ramana Maharshi.

#4. Reaching The Peak

A song to describe the feeling of “We’re almost at the summit, let’s go for it!”

#5. You Know Something?

“Hey, listen to this…” Try to imagine the content of the story that follows.

#6. The Puzzle

Not about a puzzle game, but about someone who bewilders those around them. The song itself also strikes a confusing atmosphere.

#7. What Are You Seeing For?

From The Power Of Now, mentioned above. The words speak for themselves.

#8. Daphne Odora

The scientific Latin name for winter daphne. The song describes the fragrance of spring.

#9. Daydreaming

The image of being lost in thought in those intervals of free time.

Lastly

At a time when CDs that do not include famous songs may not sell well, and when subscription services are so popular that many people don’t own CD players, it may seem reckless to release an album of all original songs on compact disc. But, even if just one person likes a song on this album, I’ll be happy. I am grateful to everyone who bought this album, those who support us at our live shows, the band members, and the recording engineer.

山口裕之 Hiroyuki Yamaguchi