Akiko Grace - Tokyo (2004)

This is a good album that includes some dynamic songs, but also some sounds that create a calm atmosphere. After listening to jazz for a while, I feel that only talented artists can play calm songs. The arrangement is based on a piano trio, with strings and shakuhachi. This album is a departure from the theme of "Japaneseness" by a pianist who lived in New York. As soon as you hear the sound of the shakuhachi in songs like "A Hazy Moonlit Night," you are drawn into a different world from "chic jazz." You can feel a transience that is different from that of the flute. The nostalgic melodies of “Kagome Kagome” are easy to listen to. I think the familiar melodies of "Harusaki Kobeni" and "Shima Uta" will fit your ears well. I think this album is familiar to people other than jazz fans. And yet, it also includes songs that jazz fans are likely to be familiar with, such as "Giant Step" and "Donna Lee". "Tokyo Rhapsody" is a powerful original song, and I think people who are not familiar with Akiko Grace will enjoy it. "Eternal Road" also has a sense of grand scale with strings in the background. As the title suggests, it is a song that could be used as the background for some travel program, and makes you think, "Is this what eternity feels like?" It is said that you will forget that it is a jazz album. I recommend "Donna Lee", Charlie Parker's favorite piece is performed without brass. The beat created by Kiyoto Fujiwara's bass gives the song a sense of tension. Her fans should definitely give this album a listen. ~ Amazon.com. 

Savoy Records, COCB-53128, 2004
Recorded 22nd Nov-10th Dec, 2003 at Columbia Akasaka Studios, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Akiko Grace - Piano
Kiyoto Fujiwara - Bass
Tappy Iwase - Drums
Guests:
Dozan Fujiwara - Shakuhachi (#8,10)
Chieko Kinbara - Strings
Toshihiro Nakanishi - Violin (#4,13) 

Tracks:
01. Prelude ~ Kagome Kagome [Short Version] {Traditional} (1:29)
02. Tokyo Rhapsody {Akiko Grace} (5:58)
03. Harusaki Kobeni {Traditional} (6:43)
04. Eternal Road {Akiko Grace} (5:14)
05. Memory {Akiko Grace} (4:46)
06. In Front Of The Skywheel {Akiko Grace} (5:47)
07. Donna Lee {Charlie Parker} (3:44)
08. A Hazy Moonlit Night {Traditional} (4:51)
09. Shima Uta [Island Song] {Traditional} (6:30)
10. Kurosawa {Akiko Grace} (4:45)
11. Giant Steps {John Coltrane} (5:20)
12. Calmness {Akiko Grace} (6:13)
13. First Light ~ Secretary {Akiko Grace} (5:44)
14. Kagome Kagome [Long Version] {Traditional} (5:25) 

Total Time: 72:33 

Credits:
Producer - Akiko Grace, Ken Komoguchi
Recording Engineer - Genichi Kitami, Toshiyasu Shiozawa
Mixing Engineer - Dan Gellert 

Eternal Road

Akiko Grace - Jazz Street ~ The Duo+ (2002)

Here we have another wonderful session by the talented Akiko Grace. For this album she assembles an enthralling group of prestigious Japanese players in composite array of duo performances. Each guest shares two tunes with Akiko and then she finalises the album with a solo. The first duo performer is violinist Tetsuro Kawashima, followed by bassist Kiyoto Fujiwara, flutist Rie Akagi, guitarist Yoshiro Nakamura and completing the cycle with saxophonist Tetsuro Kawashima. The selection of compositions is mixture of standards, three of Akiko's own and both Kiyoto Fujiwara and Tetsuro Kawashima contribute one each. The album concept works well the listener is treated to a showcase of styles and Akiko's ability to compliment the other players truly display her versatility and immense talent, enjoy! 

Savoy Records, COCB-53031, 2002 

Musicians:
Akiko Grace - Piano, Solo (#11)
Tetsuro Kawashima - Saxophone (#9,10)
Rie Akagi - Flute (#5,6)
Yoshiro Nakamura – Guitar, vocals (#7,8)
Kiyoto Fujiwara - Bass (#3,4)
Toshihiro Nakanishi - Violin (#1,2) 

Tracks:
01. Cinema Paradiso {Ennio Morricone} (6:09)
02. So Be It {Akiko Grace} (6:50)
03. Rain {Kiyoto Fujiwara} (8:12)
04. When I Fall In Love {Victor Young} (8:06)
05. Straight No Chaser {Thelonious Monk} (4:08)
06. Como Fué {Ernesto Duarte} (5:20)
07. Estate {Bruno Martino, Bruno Brighetti} (6:48)
08. Triste {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (5:41)
09. My Soul {Tetsuro Kawashima} (6:58)
10. White Roses For You {Akiko Grace} (8:39)
11. Pulse Fiction [Take 1] {Akiko Grace} (5:33) 

Total Time: 72:31 

My Soul

Akiko Grace - New York Style (2003)

This is the final work in the New York trilogy of original albums, following "From New York" and "Manhattan Story." Contains 12 songs selected from a wide range of songs, including Van Halen's hit "Jump", "Greensleeves", and works by Bach. For Akiko Grace, who has made many strides in her career, this work is a challenge to her "own individuality." This work reveals its true value. ~ www.hmv.co.jp/ 

This is a highly personal album that brings out the creativity of Akiko Grace herself. While making full use of advanced arrangement and performance techniques, she has achieved a level of perfection that is not difficult to understand! The songs include a newly written original ballad "Pray Song ~ For Ground Zero", and the 80's blockbuster rock number "Jump" (Van Halen's cover). This time, she is backed by Larry Grenadier on bass and Bill Stewart on drums. ~ www.cdjapan.co.jp. [Translated from Japanese] 

Savoy Records, COCB-53050, 2003
Recorded 20th & 21st April, 2003 at Avatar Studio C, New York 

Musicians:
Akiko Grace - Piano
Larry Grenadier - Bass
Bill Stewart - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Jump {Van Halen} (6:34)
02. Chromazone {Akiko Grace} (5:09)
03. Greensleeves {Traditional} (6:36)
04. Smile {Charlie Chaplin} (5:15)
05. Caravan {Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol} (4:25)
06. Siciliano Through My Eyes {J.S. Bach, Akiko Grace} (6:09)
07. Scarborough Fair {Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon} (5:03)
08. Pray Song ~ For Ground Zero {Akiko Grace} (6:07)
09. Sixth Sense {Akiko Grace} (5:18)
10. Transition [Future Mix] {John Coltrane} (4:24)
11. Breathe Out {Akiko Grace} (6:31)
12. Body And Soul {Eyton, Green, Heyman, Sour} (2:29) 

Total Time: 64:05

Credits:
Producer - Akiko Grace
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Dan Gellert
Assistant Engineer - Aya Takemura, Kyoko Tamanki
Mastering Engineer - Hiroyuki Hosaka
Art Direction - Kiyomitsu Mihara
Artwork Design - Jun Takagi
Photography - Hisashi Itoh 

Chromazone