Since the heyday of Oscar Peterson, few pianists have either refined the technique or cultivated the desire to play straight-ahead classic jazz with the kind of showboating virtuosity that makes listeners doubt their senses. Chihiro Yamanaka, the prizewinning classically trained pianist from Japan (and a rising star in her adopted New York), is one of the world’s most accomplished heirs to Peterson’s legacy, and some have compared her effortless virtuosity and warmth to that of the late great Mulgrew Miller, too. Like Peterson, Yamanaka favours opening a song at a quiet, lounge-jazz sway and winding it up to a sprint just as listeners are settling back in their chairs. Her originals often sound like old Broadway hits ~ John Fordham, theguardian.com.
Along those lines the opener "Outside By The Swing" keeps in that vein, long enough for bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer John Davis to add their supporting touches to the piece. Invariably listeners are taken on a captivating journey as the performance evolves. To view the concert is to see Yamanaka's pintsized frame cover the whole keyboard; standing at times to deliver perfectly connected treble runs and rapidly pounded chords. Yamanaka’s impulsive twists and turns are clearly on display especially when she joins with guest veteran drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and bassist Ben Williams for the final tune "So Long". Five of nine tunes are her own compositions, drawing in three other jazz classics and a traditional number to complete the set. No piano jazz loving fan should not embrace the opportunity to listen to this virtuoso showcase her craft!
Verve Records, UCBJ 1006, 2011
Recorded 30th June, 2011 Live
at "Iridium" Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway, New York
Musicians:
Chihiro Yamanaka - Piano
Yasushi Nakamura - Bass
(#1-3,6-8)
John Davis - Drums (#1-3,6-8)
Ben Williams - Bass (#4,5,9)
Bernard "Pretty"
Purdie - Drums (#4,5,9)
Tracks:
0. Intro (0:42)
1. Outside By The Swing
{Chihiro Yamanaka} (4:17)
2. Living Without Friday
{Chihiro Yamanaka} (12:19)
3. Take Five {Paul Desmond}
(9:19)
4. Antonio's Joke {Chihiro
Yamanaka} (7:50)
5. When You Wish Upon A Star
{Ned Washington, Leigh Harline} (7:46)
6. Sing, Sing, Sing {Louis
Prima} (9:16)
7. 2'30'' Rag {Chihiro
Yamanaka} (2:55)
8. Yagibushi {Traditional}
(7:45)
9. So Long {Chihiro Yamanaka}
(12:53)
Total Time: 75:02
Credits:
Producer, Director - Chihiro
Yamanaka
Executive Producer - Kimitaka
Kato, Hiroko Kawachi, Yoshihisa Saito
Director - Tomokazu Tazawa, Keiichi
Yamamoto
Sound Mastering - Kenji
Yoshino
Cover Photo - Tokio Kuniyoshi
N.B.
Audio files ripped from DVD
to WAV, edited, optimised and excess applause trimmed.
Finally converted to FLAC,
tested OK and tagged, album art organised for post, enjoy!
