Sachiko Ikuta on Jazz of Japan | Brian McCrory https://www.jazzofjapan.com/tags/sachiko-ikuta/ Recent content in Sachiko Ikuta on Jazz of Japan | Brian McCrory Hugo en-us Mon, 03 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Azumi: Almost Like Being in Love https://www.jazzofjapan.com/azumi-almost-like-being-in-love/ Mon, 03 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://www.jazzofjapan.com/azumi-almost-like-being-in-love/ <p>Jazz singer Azumi’s 2010 release <em>Almost Like Being in Love</em> is a cheery and ebullient jazz album filled with fresh takes on classic jazz standards. With well-thought-out arrangements and a satisfying choice of tunes, a variation of moods with an undercurrent of lively swing is established right from the inviting title track. Other standards include “On Green Dolphin Street”, “My Favorite Things”, and “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”, played as a cute jazz march.</p> Jazz singer Azumi’s 2010 release Almost Like Being in Love is a cheery and ebullient jazz album filled with fresh takes on classic jazz standards. With well-thought-out arrangements and a satisfying choice of tunes, a variation of moods with an undercurrent of lively swing is established right from the inviting title track. Other standards include “On Green Dolphin Street”, “My Favorite Things”, and “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head”, played as a cute jazz march.

Other facets include bossanova groove on “One Note Samba” and “No More Blues” and quiet romance on ballads and love songs. One highlight from the latter category is the popular Minnie Riperton classic “Lovin’ You”, a frequent request from Azumi’s songbook and a brilliant showcase for her smooth and lovely vocal range.

With the essence of soft blues and pure whites like the album design itself, Azumi’s delicate voice floats gracefully over the music with a sunny confidence well suited to her outlook as an evangelist for happy living. Like both jazz and life, balancing tradition and novel reinvention, moments of glowing energy surface alongside the swinging beats and slower ballads, especially when pianist Sachiko Ikuta and the band sets loose with vigorous improvisation and heavier rhythms.

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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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