Saori Yano - Best (2007) [CD + DVD]

Here we have a wonderful compilation drawn from Saori's albums pre-dating 2007. The CD is made up of thirteen choice tracks, and included is I &I, not released on her studio albums, but from an advertising promotion that brought her further fame. Incorporated in the fantastic package is a DVD that showcases video frontage of that commercial, as well as four other promotional videos. These clips give the Saori fan an insight as to the formidable company she was associated with throughout those classic early years. Looking back, she hung out with an assemblage of great jazz musicians during her recording tenure in New York City. The reader can easily see from personnel listed that she gave and was given great respect when performing. In this regard, it is important to note that she is not just a player, but also a fine composer and to this extent within this selection are five of her own tunes. Listeners can only marvel this brilliant jazz musician on the job at such an early age, enjoy! 

Savoy Records, COZY 263 + COZY 264, 2007 

Yano Saori (2003)
#5,10
02 (2004)
#2,4,11,13
Sakura Stamp (2005)
#1,3,12
Groovin' High (2006)
#6,8,9
DVD "ASIENCE" TV-CF
#7 

Musicians:
Saori Yano - Alto Saxophone
Nicholas Payton - Trumpet (#1,3,12)
Randy Brecker - Trumpet (#6,8,9)
Slide Hampton - Trombone (#6,8,9)
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3,4,12)
Jimmy Heath - Tenor Saxophone (#6,8,9)
James Moody - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (#6,8,9)
Gary Smulyan - Baritone Saxophone (#6,8,9)
Masaaki Imaizumi - Piano (#5,6,8,9,10)
Harold Mabern - Piano (#2,4,11,13)
Mike LeDonne - Organ (#1,3,12)
Peter Bernstein - Guitar (#1-3,11-13)
Shin Kamimura - Bass (#5,10)
Nat Reeves - Bass (#2,4,11,13)
Ray Drummond - Bass (#6,8,9)
Masahiko Osaka - Drums (#5,10)
Joe Farnsworth - Drums (#1-4,11-13)
Adam Nussbaum - Drums (#6,8,9)

Tracks:
01. Donna Lee {Charlie Parker} (1:55)
02. Sand And Skirt {Saori Yano} (6:56)
03. Crazy He Calls Me {Bob Russell, Carl Sigmon} (7:56)
04. RIZLLA {Saori Yano} (5:32)
05. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (6:51)
06. Manteca {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:55)
07. I & I {Saori Yano} (3:58)
08. Greenism {Saori Yano} (4:44)
09. My Ideal {Newell Chase, Richard A. Whiting} (6:10)
10. How To Make A Pearl {Saori Yano} (4:14)
11. Lover Man {Roger Ram Ramirez, Jimmy Davis} (6:13)
12. Tico Tico {Zequinha Abreu} (5:31)
13. Open Mind {Takashi Matsunaga} (4:37) 

Total Time: 71:38 

DVD:
1. I & I {Saori Yano} (Movie)
2. Greenism {Saori Yano} (PV)
3. I Got Rhythm {George Gershwin} (PV)
4. RIZILLA {Saori Yano} (Movie)
5. How To Make A Pearl {Saori Yano} (PV) 

Crazy He Calls Me

Saori Yano - Groovin' High (2006)

Saori Yano, celebrated her 20th birthday on 27th October, 2006, and released this album "Groovin' High" that marks the end of her teenage years and the start of her 20s and beyond. The theme of this, her fifth album as leader is based around jazz expression in an ensemble format utilizing such jazz greats as: Randy Brecker (tp), Slide Hampton (tb), Jimmy Heath (ts), James Moody (ts,fl), Gary Smulyan (bs), Masaaki Imaizumi (p), Ray Drummond (b) and Adam Nussbaum (ds) in a mode reminiscent of her much loved and admired Dizzy Gillespie, whom was equally noted for his own big band groupings. Recorded at Clinton Studio, New York, Saori chose as her setlist a vivid array of well-known jazz standards. Listeners of Saori, even at this early age can truly appreciate her versatile and expansive performance/s, whilst accompanied by the some of the best modern day jazz masters. Her prowess lies in her ability to express herself freely at the same time showcasing her virtuosity, laying down the ground to be recognised as a bright new contender in the jazz world today. Overall, for any jazz fan this album serves as one not to be overlooked, enjoy! 

Savoy Records, COCB-53576, 2006
Recorded 22nd-23rd July, 2006 at Clinton Studio, New York 

Musicians:
Saori Yano - Alto Saxophone
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Slide Hampton - Trombone
Jimmy Heath - Tenor Saxophone
James Moody - Tenor Saxophone, Flute
Gary Smulyan - Baritone Saxophone
Masaaki Imaizumi - Piano
Ray Drummond - Bass
Adam Nussbaum - Drums 

Featured Personnel:
01. Speak Low with Slide Hampton & Randy Brecker
02. Manteca with Full Band
03. My Ideal with Quartet
04. Greenism with Quartet
05. Over The Rainbow with Quartet
06. Groovin' High with Full Band
07. Corcovado with James Moody & Gary Smulyan
08. There Will Never Be Another You with James Moody
09. Billie's Bounce with James Moody
10. Song Of The Seashore with Full Band 

Tracks:
01. Speak Low {Kurt Weill} (9:20)
02. Manteca {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:56)
03. My Ideal {Newell Chase, Richard A. Whiting} (6:11)
04. Greenism {Saori Yano} (4:44)
05. Over The Rainbow {Harold Arlen} (6:43)
06. Groovin' High {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:50)
07. Corcovado {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (7:46)
08. There Will Never Be Another You {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (6:37)
09. Billie's Bounce {Charlie Parker} (3:35)
10. 浜辺の歌 [Song Of The Seashore] {Tamezō Narita} (6:28) 

Total Time: 65:16 

Credits:
Producer - Hiroyuki Okano
Artist Management, Co-producer - Haruki Naoi
Recording Engineer - Bryan Smith
Assistant Recording Engineer - Sheldon Yellowhair
Mixing Engineer - Toshiyasu Shiozawa
Assistant Mixing Engineer - Masumi Iwata
Mastering Engineer - Hiroshi Sato
Art Direction, Design - Ikkun Hagi
Inner Editor - Hiroshi Ajimoto
Photography - Nicci Keller 

Groovin' High

Yano Saori - Yano Saori (2003)

Nimble, Fresh And Neat
=====================
Saori Yano seems to be a genius girl and a very serious performer at the same time. While he is good at Charlie Parker's works, unlike Parker who seems to have been devastating, he might be close to Coltrane in character in a jazz-critic style. That means practicing seriously, honing your skills, and playing hard. Some people seem to be negative for Mr. Coltrane's playing posture, but why is it bad? Saori Yano tries to make every single sound. It is a serious and neat performance. Her staple “Confirmation”, which is now always requested for live performances, sounds neatly and neatly, while playing at a faster tempo than Mr. Parker's performance. There is lightness and freshness. A good performance that makes you want to listen again as many times as you like. Great. By the way, it makes me listen to a more thrilling and powerful incandescent performance in the live, but that's why the performance of this CD will never fade forever. It is a performance that makes me think so. ~ Amazon Customer, 5 Stars, Amazon.com. [Translated from Japanese] 

Savoy Records, COCB-53061, 2003
Recorded 23rd March, 2003 at Columbia Studio No.2 (#1,2,7)
Recorded 7th & 8th April, 2003 at Columbia Studio No.2 (#3-6,8-11) 

Musicians:
Saori Yano - Alto Saxophone
Keiji Matsushima - Trumpet (#5,7,9)
Harold Mabern - Piano (#1,2,7)
Masaaki Imaizumi - Piano (#3-6,8-11)
Nat Reeves - Bass (#1,2,7)
Shin Kamimura - Bass (#3-6,8-11)
Joe Farnsworth - Drums (#1,2,7)
Masahiko Osaka - Drums (#3-6,8-11) 

Tracks:
01. Confirmation {Charlie Parker} (4:51)
02. Blue Bossa {Kenny Dorham} (5:41)
03. When You're Smiling {Joe Goodwin, Larry Shay, Mark Fisher} (5:45)
04. How To Make A Pearl {Saori Yano} (4:12)
05. My Little Suede Shoes {Charlie Parker} (4:35)
06. Black Orpheus {Luiz Bonfá} (6:26)
07. Bohemia After Dark {Oscar Pettiford} (5:19)
08. Marmaduke {Charlie Parker} (3:24)
09. Hoyden {Saori Yano} (7:23)
10. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (6:48)
11. It Could Happen To You {Jimmy van Heusen, Johnny Burke} (3:57) 

Total Time: 58:21 

Bohemia After Dark