金澤英明 on Jazz of Japan | Brian McCrory https://www.jazzofjapan.com/tags/%E9%87%91%E6%BE%A4%E8%8B%B1%E6%98%8E/ Recent content in 金澤英明 on Jazz of Japan | Brian McCrory Hugo en-us Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Hideaki Kanazawa & Sumire Kuribayashi: Nijuso https://www.jazzofjapan.com/hideaki-kanazawa-sumire-kuribayashi-nijuso/ Tue, 28 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.jazzofjapan.com/hideaki-kanazawa-sumire-kuribayashi-nijuso/ <p>Veteran bassist Hideaki Kanazawa and stellar pianist Sumire Kuribayashi join up for a calm and lyrical jazz duo on <em>Nijuso</em> from 2017.</p> <figure><a href="L1220265-1024.jpg"> <img loading="lazy" src="L1220265-1024.jpg"/> </a> </figure> <p>Using a palette of jazz standards, new compositions, and free improvisation, the duo creates a tranquil mood with songs brimming with warmth. The richly-recorded sounds of piano and bass float in and around the melodies with unhurried timing and free improvisation with vocal-like qualities. Unloosing the emotional core may be the goal as the two musicians work together to create beautiful experiences, a canvas of lullabies and spiritual-like visions.</p> Veteran bassist Hideaki Kanazawa and stellar pianist Sumire Kuribayashi join up for a calm and lyrical jazz duo on Nijuso from 2017.

Using a palette of jazz standards, new compositions, and free improvisation, the duo creates a tranquil mood with songs brimming with warmth. The richly-recorded sounds of piano and bass float in and around the melodies with unhurried timing and free improvisation with vocal-like qualities. Unloosing the emotional core may be the goal as the two musicians work together to create beautiful experiences, a canvas of lullabies and spiritual-like visions.

From the opening Ornette Coleman number “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”, the drama unfolds slowly as the duo moves soothingly through the songs. Familiar jazz standards such as “Londonderry Ayre (Danny Boy)”, “I’ll Be Seeing You”, and “All The Things You Are” are balanced with deeper covers like Charlie Haden’s “Our Spanish Love Song” and Bill Evans’ “Children’s Play Song”. Four original compositions are included, ballads and sound-spaces drifting like meandering streams, enjoying the moment with a fulfilling patience rather than rushing to a destination.

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]]> Sachiko Ikuta Trio: Haru No Kaze https://www.jazzofjapan.com/sachiko-ikuta-trio-haru/ Sun, 04 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.jazzofjapan.com/sachiko-ikuta-trio-haru/ <p>A jazz pianist who balances lyricism with boldness, Sachiko Ikuta leads a piano trio on <em>Haru No Kaze (Spring Wind)</em> from 2012. Legendary jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino also joins on two songs, adding an adventurous splash of avant-garde improvisation to the album.</p> <figure><a href="L1180787-1024.jpg"> <img loading="lazy" src="L1180787-1024.jpg"/> </a> </figure> <p>Starting with the title track “Haru No Kaze”, the sense of an overture is felt through the light Japanese touches of a sweet melody which turns into the whirling winds of a solid jazz piano trio locking into a tune together. The next track, “Last Tango In Paris”, introduces a mood of evocative drama and intrigue with a relaxed beat.</p> A jazz pianist who balances lyricism with boldness, Sachiko Ikuta leads a piano trio on Haru No Kaze (Spring Wind) from 2012. Legendary jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino also joins on two songs, adding an adventurous splash of avant-garde improvisation to the album.

Starting with the title track “Haru No Kaze”, the sense of an overture is felt through the light Japanese touches of a sweet melody which turns into the whirling winds of a solid jazz piano trio locking into a tune together. The next track, “Last Tango In Paris”, introduces a mood of evocative drama and intrigue with a relaxed beat.

The album’s nine songs feature classic jazz standards, songs by Bills Evans and Thelonious Monk, two original compositions, and a charming reconstruction of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” which swings gracefully. Ikuta even puts her well-rounded solo piano on display with a confident rendition of “Everything Happens To Me”, showcasing her dedication to the tradition of great jazz pianists.

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