Noriko Kojima - Easy Come, Easy Go (1993)

Noriko has recently released what she calls her 'the phantom first album' named "Easy Come, Easy Go." For this date she assembled a quartet format comprising of herself on flute and alto flute, pianist Yuko Takada, bassist Moriyoshi Shibuya and drummer Kei Wada. She states that eight out of the nine tracks are of her own writing with the remainder "Coconut Special" by Toraji Onaka. This early outing clearly demonstrates the pathway of a virtuoso flutist and a profound jazz composer for her chosen instrument. As per usual this supposed phantom album is welcomed addition to her evolving discography; a highly entertaining and recommended work! 

No Problem
Recorded 29th & 30th June, 1993 

Musicians:
Noriko Kojima - Flute, Alto-Flute
Hiroko Takada - Piano
Moriyoshi Shibuya - Bass
Kei Wada - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Waltz In Wonderland {Noriko Kojima} (1:55)
2. Cool In The Pool {Noriko Kojima} (7:47)
3. Tune Of June [For Jun] {Noriko Kojima} (8:26)
4. Coconut Special {Toraji Onaka} (8:46)
5. Nukarumi [Have You Ever Got In The Mud?] {Noriko Kojima} (6:15)
6. So Long {Noriko Kojima} (7:36)
7. Wall [There're Many Walls Around The Way] {Noriko Kojima} (8:26)
8. Mouth Of The Mogami-River {Noriko Kojima} (8:23)
9. Easy Come, Easy Go {Noriko Kojima} (5:55) 

Total Time: 63:29

So Long

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

If you like jazz flute, this is the person to hear 'Noriko Kojima’.
=========================
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