Noriko Kojima - Songs For My Sake (2011)

An ambitious work by Noriko Kojima, a jazz flutist who has many fans for her over 150 live performances a year. The second collection of original songs that can be said to be a sequel to the previous work "Lush Life" which gained popularity in 2009. Includes 8 original songs of the "Meishu Series" that express the taste of sake and the uniqueness of its name through sound. Kojima's original songs, which have a reputation as a composer, are both scenic and jersey, and can be enjoyed with impressive melodies and diverse rhythms. In addition, the standard number is Cole Porter's famous song " What Is This Thing Called Love? In addition, "For Heaven's Sake", an unaccompanied flute quartet with flute, piccolo, bass, alto, and four roles overdubbed by one person, is also included in her own arrangement. In addition to Noriko's persistent Trio; Katsuto Suzuki (b) and Yasukuni Mizuguchi (d), the album also includes guest musicians: Junichiro Ohkuchi (p), Kiichi Futamura (p), and Teiji Taguchi (g), who are also top players in the jazz scene. A heartfelt album that can be enjoyed not only by jazz fans and sake fans, but also by all music lovers. [Translated from Japanese] ~ www.kojinori.exblog.jp. 

What's New Records, WNCJ-2219, 2011
Recorded at Groove Studio, Matsudo, Saitama, Japan 

Musicians:
Noriko Kojima - Flute, Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Piccolo
Kiichi Futamura - Piano (#1-5)
Junichiro Ohkuchi - Piano (#7-11)
Teiji Taguchi - Guitar (#2,3,5)
Katsuto Suzuki - Bass (#1-5,7-11)
Yasukuni Mizuguchi - Drums (#1-5,7-11) 

Tracks:
01. What Is This Thing Called Love? {Cole Porter} (6:03)
02. Snow Notes {Noriko Kojima} (6:02)
03. Since We Met {Noriko Kojima} (7:22)
04. Lullaby Of Itsuki {Traditional Japanese} (4:29)
05. A Little Cascade {Noriko Kojima} (5:39)
06. For Heaven’s Sake {Meyer, Bretton, Edwards} (3:40)
07. Blues In The Sky {Noriko Kojima} (5:07)
08. Primaveral {Noriko Kojima} (5:56)
09. Not To Worry {Noriko Kojima} (4:39)
10. The Cool Kite {Noriko Kojima} (5:39)
11. October The First {Noriko Kojima} (5:31) 

Total Time: 60:07 

#6 is unaccompanied by Noriko with 4 flutes [over dubbing] 

Credits:
Producer, Engineer, Mastering - Hiroshi Sato
Producer - Yoshiaki Okayasu
Design - Takamu Watanuki

Noriko Kojima - Lush Life (2008)

Here we have Noriko’s fourth album as a leader continuing on from Norinote (2005). For this album she along with guitarist Tomoo Yamaguchi join together in two quintet formations that incorporate six other fine Japanese musicians as listed below. Eight of the ten tunes are her own compositions with the other two jazz standards; I Hear A Rhapsody and Lush Life, the album’s title track. Like her previous works Noriko displays masterful skill as both a competent composer and brilliant musician. Equally much credit is due to the other players which compliment her playing perfectly with some wonderful soloing, enjoy! 

What'sNew Records, WNCJ-2196, 2009
Recorded 23rd & 27th November, 2008 

Musicians:
Noriko Kojima - Alto Flute, Flute, Piccolo Flute
Tomoo Yamaguchi - Acoustic Guitar 

#1,7-10
Kiichi Futamura - Piano
Katsuto Suzuki - Bass
Yasukuni Mizuguchi - Drums
#2-6
Junichiro Ohkuchi - Piano
Moriyoshi Sibuya - Bass
Shota Koyama - Drums 

Tracks:
01. I Hear A Rhapsody {George Fragos, Jack Baker} (6:33)
02. Bridge In The Afternoon {Noriko Kojima} (6:56)
03. For Better Days {Noriko Kojima} (6:44)
04. When The Moon Hugs The Shore {Noriko Kojima} (5:10)
05. Hototogisu～The Water Clock {Noriko Kojima} (7:21)
06. The Shade Of Wisteria {Noriko Kojima} (3:21)
07. Seven Ways To A Kiss {Noriko Kojima} (6:20)
08. Mythic Goblin {Noriko Kojima} (6:13)
09. Lush Life {Billy Strayhorn} (5:03)
10. Crane Is Flying In The Dream {Noriko Kojima} (6:22) 

Total Time: 60:13 

The Shade Of Wisteria

Live at JZ Brat (2009)