Shintaro Quintet - Evolution (1984)

Drawing upon groups like Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Horace Silver’s quintet, bassist Shintaro Nakamura‘s 1984 album showcases his quintet’s bold, hard-swinging aesthetic. Born in 1956 in Kobe, Japan, Nakamura discovered jazz as a teenager and by the early ’80s had moved to New York to better develop his artistry. It was a cross-cultural exchange mirroring the experience of other Japanese jazz musicians like pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi and trumpeter Terumasa Hino, and one that spoke to how deeply Japan had increasingly embraced American jazz since WWII. Along with regular gigs in the city, he began composing and arranging his own songs. Looking to document some of that music, he put together an ad-hoc group of musicians for a quick recording session. Joining were fellow Japanese expatriate’s trumpeter Shunzo Ohno and drummer Fukushi Tainaka. Also coming on board were pianist Jeff Jenkins and saxophonist Robert Kenmotsu, the latter of whom had played with organist Jack McDuff. In the spirit of many of the classic Blue Note sessions, the group had just one day to run down the charts before entering New York’s Hi-Five Studio for sessions on January 10th and 13th. 

By the time Nakamura put this session together, he had already played with such luminaries as Larry Carlton and Woody Shaw and he brought much of that experience to bear on his music. He specifically pays homage to Shaw on "Blind Man," whose title is a reference to the trumpeter's blindness from a degenerative eye disease. Shaw's sparkling tones and vibrant soloing are touchstones throughout, as on the opening "Future on You" which features a fiery solo from Ohno. More modal fireworks follow, as on the buoyant 3/4 track "Don’t Forget Me," which features supple interplay from Kenmotsu and Ohno. Pianist Jenkins is also showcased nicely on the Latin-tinged title track, his crisp block chords recalling the wide intervals of McCoy Tyner. Anchoring all of this is Nakamura, whose vibrant, woody bass grooves recall the style of bassists like Reggie Workman and Paul Chambers. 

Soon after the sessions, Nakamura returned to Japan where he released the album on his friend Hideki Kawamura’s independent Streetnoise Records. Over the years, Evolution would gain a cult-following for the canny way Nakamura’s group conjured the swaggering spirit of the classic ’60s Blue Note sound, further emblemizing the influence of jazz both coming into and flowing out of Japan. ~ AMG. 

Streetnoise Records, NS-1002, 1984
Recorded 10th & 13th January, 1984 at Hi-Five Studio, New York 

Musicians:
Shintaro Nakamura - Bass, Leader
Shunzo Ohno - Trumpet
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Saxophone
Jeff Jenkins - Piano
Fukushi Tainaka - Drums

Tracks:
A1. Future On You (6:30)
A2. Don't Forget Me (6:07)
A3. Sweet And Sour Sound (8:17)
B1. A Blind Man (10:58)
B2. Evolution (4:07)
Evolution [Extended Version] (10:54) [CD Bonus] 

All compositions by Shintaro Nakamura 

Total Time: 46:58 

Credits:
Producer, Engineer, Photo - Shintaro Nakamura
Producer, Photo - Hideo Kawamura
Track Down - Akira Shiraishi
Photo [Front] - Yoshio Toyama

LINK

Evolution

Bob Kenmotsu Quartet - I'm In Love With You (2015)

Stockton native Bob Kenmotsu is one of the unsung heroes of contemporary jazz. On his new CD, I’m in Love with You, Bob takes the chord changes to jazz standards such as “What Is This Thing Called Love” and “Like Someone In Love,” and invents new melodic content on his full-bodied tenor sax. Kenmotsu has worked and recorded with high profile jazz masters, including Pat Martino, Jack McDuff, and Billy Hart. For this album, he selected sidemen with equally impressive resumes, including pianist David Hazeltine, drummer Billy Drummond, and bassist David Wong. Bob breathes new life into old standards but also offers some romantic originals, including the title composition and “Jun-ko,” a beautiful ballad on which Bob’s tenor says “I love you,” musically. On Thelonious Monk’s “Monk’s Dream,” Bob and company navigate the angular and tricky chord changes with ease. Bob lived in Japan from ’94 – ’97, playing many clubs and festivals. He now resides in the bay area, but continues to visit the jazz mecca of New York City, where he’s worked with many jazz greats. Although he’s traveled widely, Kenmotsu has never forgotten his central valley roots. ~ Gary G. Vercelli, capradio.org. 

Rodoken Music, 1003, 2015 

Musicians:
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Sax
David Hazeltine - Piano
David Wong - Bass
Billy Drummond - Drums

Tracks:
01. I'm I Love With You {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:17)
02. What Is This? {Robert Kenmotsu} (3:29)
03. I Like Someone {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:35)
04. BK Blues {Robert Kenmotsu} (7:07)
05. Jun-Ko {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:14)
06. RCB3 {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:01)
07. Archipelago {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:16)
08. Brilliant Bicycle {Robert Kenmotsu} (5:38)
09. Sachan's Lullaby {Robert Kenmotsu} (5:03)
10. Monk's Dream {Thelonious Monk} (5:06)
11. But Not For Me {George Gershwin} (5:48) 

Total Time: 63:38

LINK

Brilliant Bicycle

Bob Kenmotsu - Reunion (2002)

Another fine album by tenorist Bob Kenmotsu whereby he brings together some of his past musical colleagues: pianist Bob Corwin, bassist Danny Flahive and drummer Ron Marabuto. Together they explore and interpret a broad range of tunes and well-known jazz standards. All players are in fine form, there's not a note out of place. As a leader and producer Bob Kenmotsu fires up the quartet creating a vibrant and wonderfully entertaining atmosphere. All the showcased compositions are treated with great fervor and aptitude. Recommended. 

RoDoKen Records, RR-1001-CD, 2015
Recorded 24th-25th June, 2002 at Granada Hills, California 

Musicians:
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Sax
Bob Corwin - Piano
Danny Flahive - Bass
Ron Marabuto - Drums 

Tracks:
01. There Will Never Be Another You {Mack Gordon, Harry Warren} (6:34)
02. Solar {Miles Davis} (4:06)
03. I'm Glad There Is You {Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Mertz} (5:47)
04. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler} (5:56)
05. Invitation {Bronislaw Kaper, Paul Francis Webster} (7:19)
06. I'll Close My Eyes {Buddy Kaye, Billy Reid} (5:01)
07. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, John Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (6:24)
08. Dexterity {Charlie Parker} (4:23)
09. The Very Thought Of You {Ray Noble} (4:37)
10. Mambo Inn {Mario Bauzá, Edgar Sampson, Bobby Woodlen} (4:38)
11. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face {Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe} (4:43) 

Total Time: 59:54 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing & Mastering - Bob Kenmotsu
Recording Engineer - Peter Woodford
Mixing & Mastering Engineer - Alex Baum
Graphic Design - Liz Holland, Design Paradigm

LINK

In A Mellow Tone

Bob Kenmotsu - Looking At Air (1997)

Backed by a swinging trio consisting of Joel Weiskopf on piano, Essiet Okon Essiet on bass and the well-known Bill Stewart on drums, tenor saxophonist Bob Kenmotsu delightfully dances his way through four originals and four standards in this generally hard driving set. Stewart, of course, is superb in the driver's seat, egging the group on. You can hear traces of Coltrane, and even Hank Mobley in Kenmotsu's horn, but he is clearly molding his own style. While Kenmotsu seems a tad less comfortable on the slower pieces, and his solos less adventurous, he is willing to take chances when the tempo picks up. His takes of standards such as "My Shining Hour," "Love Letters" and "On Green Dolphin Street" are different and worth hearing. While this recording is clearly in the tradition, it hints at something more, and largely succeeds on its own terms. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Amosaya Records, AM-2529, 1997
Recorded 29th January, 1997 Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Sax Flute
Joel Weiskopf - Piano
Essiet Okon Essiet - Bass
Bill Stewart - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Turtle Time {Robert Kenmotsu} (7:13)
2. Dance Of The Heart {Robert Kenmotsu} (5:07)
3. My Shining Hour {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (6:29)
4. Love Letters {Edward Heyman, Victor Young} (6:46)
5. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (10:06)
6. Blue In Green {Miles Davis, Bill Evans} (9:35)
7. When We Are All Alone {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:20)
8. Looking At Air {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:31) 

Total Time: 58:13 

Credits:
Producer - Robert Kenmotsu
Recording Engineer - Michael Brophy
Digital Assembly - Ed Ulloa
Mastering Engineer - George Horn [Fantasy Studios]
Cover Photo - Junko Kenmotsu
Graphic Design - Elena Welch

LINK

Looking At Air