Hikari Ichihara - Stardust (2007)

This is the third album by Hikari Ichihara, one of the hottest trumpeters in the jazz world. Continuing from the previous album, this time Hikari Ichihara recorded in a session with famous musicians representing New York. The album expresses the world of straight-ahead jazz. The selection of 9 songs includes many well-known standards and 2 of her own compositions that sound like standards. All songs were arranged by Hikari Ichihara. ~ cdjapan.co.jp. 

Stardust is the critically acclaimed third studio album by Japanese jazz trumpeter and vocalist Hikari Ichihara, released in May 2007. Recorded in New York, the album is considered her breakthrough work, showcasing her skill in both arranging standards and composing original pieces. Ichihara is backed by a highly regarded group of New York-based musicians: pianist Adam Birnbaum, bassist George Mraz and drummer Victor Lewis with added guests: alto sax & flautist Aaron Heick and tenorist Wayne Escoffery. 

After Beat/Pony Canyon Inc., PCCY-60006, 2007
Recorded in New York City 

Musicians:
Hikari Ichihara - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Aaron Heick - Alto Sax, Flute (#1,2,7)
Wayne Escoffery - Tenor Sax (#1,7)
Adam Birnbaum - Piano
George Mraz - Bass
Victor Lewis - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Blue Minor {Sonny Clark} (6:40)
2. Stardust {Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish} (5:27)
3. When You Wish Upon A Star {Leigh Harline, Ned Washington} (5:31)
4. Skylark {Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer} (7:06)
5. Flashback {Hikari Ichihara} (5:36)
6. I'll Wait For You [The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg] {Michel Legrand} (5:42)
7. Smile {Charlie Chaplin} (8:05)
8. I Remember Clifford {Benny Golson} (6:20)
9. And They Lived Happily Ever After {Hikari Ichihara} (6:05) 

Total Time: 55:36 

Credits:
Producer - Hikari Ichihara
Executive-Producer - Mitsuo Shimano, Yuzo Watanabe

LINK

Blue Minor

Hikari Ichihara - Joy (2008)

A wonderful earlier release by talented Japanese trumpeter Hikari Ichihara. For this album she surrounds herself with some very notable other Japanese musicians to produce a brilliant album showcasing her versatile playing skills as well her ability to write five of her own captivating compositions. Two others were penned by the group's drummer Kay Hirai. The rest are a couple of well-known standards or pop songs, including a beautiful cover of Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour. Overall, a very pleasurable album that sets the dynamism of a young artist for a brilliant future career, not to be overlooked! 

After Beat\Pony Canyon, PCCY-60008, 2008 

Musicians:
Hikari Ichihara - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Arranger
Masahiko Sugasaka - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (#1,2,5,8,9,11)
Yoichi Murata - Trombone (#1,2,5,8,9,11)
Kazuhiko Kondo - Alto Sax, Soprano Sax (#1,2,5,8,9,11)
Steve Sacks - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (#1,2,5,8,9,11)
Masakuni Takeno - Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax (#1,2,5,8,9,11)
Hideaki Hori - Piano, Arranger
Kunpei Nakabayashi - Bass, Arranger
Kay Hirai - Drums, Arranger 

Tracks:
01. Joy {Hikari Ichihara} (5:11)
02. 大きな古時計 [Big Old Clock] {Henry Clay Work} (6:03)
03. みつけた [Found] 2008 {Hikari Ichihara} (6:36)
04. Home {Hikari Ichihara} (5:48)
05. スプリングフィールド [Springfield] {Hikari Ichihara} (5:24)
06. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (7:33)
07. My Cherie Amour {Stevie Wonder, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy} (5:12)
08. Summer Knows {Michel Legrand} (5:40)
09. 空 [Null] {Kei Hirai} (8:05)
10. Beginning {Hikari Ichihara} (6:27)
11. Rub-a-dub {Kei Hirai} (4:08) 

Total Time: 66:00 

Credits:
Producer - Hikari Ichihara
Executive-Producer - Mitsuo Shimano 

My Cherie Amour

Hikari Ichihara - Sara Smile (2006)

Indeed, a very talented trumpeter has emerged. Hikari Ichihara's 2nd album was recorded in New York. Famous New York musicians (Dr: Louis Nash, B: Peter Washington, P: Adam Birnbaum, Sax: Grant Stewart, Tp: Dominic Farinacci). No matter what I say, the tone is wonderful. Both the trumpet and the flugelhorn have a really nice sound, especially the mid-bass. Her performances, which must have clearly learned the basics of classical music, will serve as a perfect role model for young people who are starting to develop an interest in jazz from brass bands. Not only that, but don't miss the improvised melody and astounding phrases that are sure to make her jazz-obsessed parents’ groan. There is a really pleasant flow of sound. She also says that 5 of the 9 songs are arranged by herself. Hmm. This is also amazing. Her song selection ranges from jazz standards (Cleopatra's Dream, It Could Happen to You, etc.) to pop hits (Fragile, Sara Smile, Close to you, etc.) and there is a great variety of original songs composed by her. It's a convincing album that earned her a Gold Disk from Swing Journal. ~ toppe2.web.fc2.com. [Translated from Japanese] 

Pony Canyon, PCCY-60003, 2006 

Musicians:
Hikari Ichihara - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Dominick Farinacci - Trumpet
Grant Stewart - Tenor Saxophone
Adam Birnbaum - Piano
Peter Washington - Bass
Lewis Nash - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Cleopatra’s Dream {Bud Powell} (6:03)
2. Fragile {Sting} (7:10)
3. Blue Prelude {Joe Bishop} (5:52)
4. It Could Happen To You {Johnny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen} (4:55)
5. I’ve Got It {David Rose, Jack Teagarden} (8:49)
6. Sara Smile {John Oates, Daryl Hall} (5:44)
7. Golden Earrings {Ray Evans, Jay Livingston, Victor Young} (6:02)
8. Intro {Hikari Ichihara} (7:11)
9. Close To You {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (6:48) 

Total Time: 58:37 

Sara Smile