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)

Noriko Kojima - It Might As Well Be Spring (2001)

If you like jazz flute, this is the person to hear 'Noriko Kojima’.
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Anyone who claims to be an avid jazz fan and doesn't know who she is a loser. Of course, you can fully enjoy the mellowness and fuzzy feeling of the flute that diffused from her first album as a leader, the stately feeling behind her jazz as well is unchanged here. Her attention to detail, both in performance and composition, draws the listener’s attention. Also, the sideman whom enlarges the leader's intentions do so without being too assertive is also very wonderful! For example, when you wake up, ask yourself, 'What should I listen to today? ', and on days when I'm a little hesitant about choosing (laughs), I'll choose this album! It's an album that flicks the first jazz switch in the morning. ~ Dentymusic, amazon.com. [Translated from Japanese] 

What'sNew Records, WNCJ-2102, 2001
Recorded October, 2000 at Lake Yamanaka, Yamanakako, Japan 

Musicians:
Noriko Kojima - Flute, Alto Flute
Kiichi Futamura - Piano
Moriyoshi Shibuya - Bass
Shingo Yamaguchi - Drums 

Tracks:
1. I Thought About You {Jimmy Van Heusen} (6:56)
2. Those Spring Days {Noriko Kojima} (6:10)
3. Dat Dere {Bobby Timmons} (6:46)
4. It Might As Well Be Spring {Richard Rodgers} (6:31)
5. Light Snow In Spring {Noriko Kojima} (6:56)
6. Otters' Fest {Noriko Kojima} (6:49)
7. Di mana? {Noriko Kojima} (5:10)
8. Let's Cool One {Thelonious Monk} (7:13) 

Total Time: 52:31 

Di mana?

Noriko Kojima - Norinote (2005)

Born in Meguro Ward, Tokyo. Noriko grew up listening to a lot of classical music, her engineer father played whilst working at home. At four with her older brother, she learned to play the violin. Later, while in college, she became interested in jazz and took up the flute. This led to entering the Musashino Conservatory of Music and after graduating, she studied under Yoshio Otomo, Toshihiko Inoue and Hirohiko Watanabe, all well-known Japanese jazz musicians. Today, she continues to play the flute, cherishing the warm tone and the groove feeling that uniquely lends itself to jazz. As a jazz musician she has developed an excellent sense of sound and improvisation; coupled with a fine understanding of melody, utilizing phrases that fly like the wind full of inimitable nuances. In 1987, she formed her own quartet and has gone on to interact with many musicians and perform many live performances. Essentially, her style imbues a deep and emotional groove articulated in her rich tone that is quite sublime. This album is her third as a leader and is joined by other fine Japanese musicians. Four of the nine tunes are her own compositions with the remainder a careful selection of popular jazz tunes. Overall, it is album that will continue to grow on any jazz flute enthusiast and any music lover, enjoy! 

What'sNew Records, WNCJ-2158, 2005 

Musicians:Noriko Kojima - Flute
Kiichi Futamura - Piano
Tomoo Yamaguchi - Guitar
Moriyoshi Shibuya - Bass
Junji Hirose - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Four O'Clock Train {Noriko Kojima} (6:15)
2. Vega {Noriko Kojima} (7:00)
3. Come Rain Or Come Shine {Harold Arlen} (6:38)
4. We'll Be Together Again {Carl Fischer} (6:05)
5. New York Bossa {Steve Grossman} (6:40)
6. Umbrellas Of Cherbourg {Michel Legrand} (6:07)
7. Sasanqua {Noriko Kojima} (7:43)
8. Black Panther In Johor Bahru {Noriko Kojima} (5:04)
9. Triste {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (7:21) 

Total Time: 58:53 

Black Panther In Johor Bahru