release date: 15.11.2024
Drummer Tomohiro Mori releases his latest, third up-to-date project titled “Prana” on his tomohiro mori music label. This new recording sports a Tentet of young super talents, with Benny Benack III, Erena Terakubo and Miki Yamanaka, among others.
About the Recording
In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tomo was forced to temporarily return to his hometown of Fukuoka, Japan, from his base in New York. During this period, he worked on creating music with local musicians and developed these compositions through performances on domestic tours.
After returning to New York in 2022, Tomo collaborated with his close musical friends, including trumpeter Benny Benack III, to fine-tune each track, leading to the creation of this album. He explored the expressive potential of the classic jazz style, bebop, and handled all aspects of the album himself, including performance, composition, string arrangements, and production. Additionally, internationally highly regarded percussionist Keita Ogawa, known for his work with the Grammy Award-winning band Snarky Puppy, contributed to the album. The title track, “Prana,” meaning energy or life force, highlights Tomo’s vibrant work, influenced by his experiences in Japan and New York over the past few years.
The album cover design is inspired by the idea of an “invincible raccoon, scarred but empowered by the pandemic, defeating enemies (the virus and its effects) and forging a new future.” You will not want to miss Tomohiro Mori’s future activities, which reflect the strength he has gained through overcoming the pandemic.
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About Tomohiro Mori
Drummer, composer and educator, Tomohiro Mori was born in Fukuoka, Japan in 1992. He started playing the drums at age 3 and piano at age 5. Being raised by musical parents, Tomo was exposed to music at a very early age. His mother and father, who played piano and guitar respectively, formed a family band and played Beatles covers, in which Tomo was an active part of.
Originally, Tomo wanted to form a band with friends around his age. Although he initially did not have a strong interest in jazz, his pianist friend called Tomo to form a jazz band. Finally, he started playing jazz and formed a jazz band with his friends when he was thirteen years old. He has performed in gigs and music festivals around his hometown with this group.
After studying at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, he released three albums “Grand Slam”, “Uptown Bound”, and “Prana” under his name and has become one of the most promising artists in New York City. He also plays a vital role in connecting the jazz scenes of New York and Japan.
Tracklist & Line up:
