Tag Archive
Japan: Osetohishima (大瀬戸千嶋)
Two young guys from Hiroshima, Osetohishima isn’t that well known, even in Japan, yet they have enough in their music to establish themselves in Japan’s light jazz market. The first great soprano saxophonist in jazz history was the immortal Sidney Bechet but most saxophone greats played either alto or tenor sax. That changed in the [...]
Jazz Manouche: Denis Chang
Gypsy jazz manouche is a style of jazz started by the great Django Reinhardt. Based in Montreal, Denis Chang is the Godfather of the Montreal gypsy jazz scene, a master guitar virtuoso, and the leader of the Denis Chang Manouche Quartet. Over the years, he has developed a unique style that not only incorporates jazz [...]
Taiwan: Newly Released Music
There have been several new albums from Taiwan bands and singers that have caught my attention recently. Here is a review of what’s going on in the music world, or at least a sampling of it. Aboriginal singer/songwriter Ilid Kaolo (以莉‧高露) has just released her debut album, My Carefree Life (輕快的生活) in the last week, a [...]
Japan: Ego-Wrappin’
Jazz has always been popular in Japan, with classic jazz, big band and light jazz still selling albums and concert tickets. I recently posted an article about Toshiko Akiyoshi, who is in the classical jazz mode. Today I’d like to feature a more modern style from a band called Ego-Wrappin’. Originating in Osaka, they’ve been [...]
Japan: Toshiko Akiyoshi
Toshiko Akiyoshi is a Japanese American jazz pianist, orchestra leader and composer, one of the most successful female jazz artists of all time and one of very few successful Japanese women in her field. Born in Liaoyang, China to Japanese parents, they lost everything during the war and came back to Japan, living in Beppu [...]
