27-01-2015, 08:20
The more you hear and see of Toshiko Akiyoshi, the more invested/in love you get. One of the premier jazz arrangers (the unsung heroes of jazz). She's led big bands since 1972, issued that first Western album at 25 after being graduated from Berklee (there at Oscar Peterson's behest and personal scholarship): http://www.allmusic.com/artist/toshiko-a...iscography << as many stars as there are in Heaven A bio: http://www.berkeleyagency.com/jazz/toshiko-akiyoshi.htm
Some tunes: These first 2 span the ages: one from '58 (she was 29 with 5 discs released); the other from a more mature age (but of much more interest):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sutvim58cIQ#t=194 << w/ the redoubtable Keter Betts on drums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0t8WSu6Tcc#t=19 << engaging note-by-note but overall, hypnotic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqFd0SuzqKA << a terrif example of being in control without needing to overtly assert it--"Yeah, Bro, go nutso with your solo but then come back to Earth and remember who wrote those charts."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4yKGoSFrD0 << His name might be on the door but, at best, he only ran the sax section, played his piece and offered advice--Akiyoshi-san is firmly in control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEQ3zJ1cvhE
Some tunes: These first 2 span the ages: one from '58 (she was 29 with 5 discs released); the other from a more mature age (but of much more interest):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sutvim58cIQ#t=194 << w/ the redoubtable Keter Betts on drums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0t8WSu6Tcc#t=19 << engaging note-by-note but overall, hypnotic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqFd0SuzqKA << a terrif example of being in control without needing to overtly assert it--"Yeah, Bro, go nutso with your solo but then come back to Earth and remember who wrote those charts."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4yKGoSFrD0 << His name might be on the door but, at best, he only ran the sax section, played his piece and offered advice--Akiyoshi-san is firmly in control.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEQ3zJ1cvhE
A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind--Dr. Johnson
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR
What he said. Amen, Bro--JazzboCR