10 Jan

[ January the 22nd, 2021 release via Libra Records: Satoko Fujji & Taiko Saito Futari – Beyond ]

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release date: 22.01.2021 via Libra Records

“Persistent and inexhaustible imagination with emotion, power and everything else…[Fujii] does not leave a single second to be bored or indifferent.” – Phontas Troussas, Vinylmine

“Taiko not only displayed exceptional technique, but more importantly she projected her own voice on an instrument that dares one to uncover . . . even more impressive was her daring to dive in some uncharted waters which she glided through with ease.”—Mike Mainieri, vibraphonist

Beyond, the recorded debut of Futari, a duo of pianist-composer Satoko Fujii and vibraphonist Taiko Saito, features lyrical intensity from two fearless explorers of new sounds. The combination of piano and vibes is an uncommon one, but Fujii and Saito navigate the new terrain of their collaboration with imagination and a spirit of adventure.

07 Sep

[ September the 18 th,2020 release via Circum/Libra Records: KAZE & Ikure Mori- Sand Storm ]

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release date: 18th of September, 2020 via Circum / Libra Recs.

“…genius….[Sand Storm] reveals the true spirit of jazz in the way the ideas and themes slowly emerge from that odd sonic landscape.” – Marc Phillips, Part Time Audiophile

“Intense and playful, down-to-earth and international, Kaze communicates in a musical language of contrasts and continuity.” —Virginia Schaefer, JazzTimes

“If you think you can imagine what piano, drums, and two trumpets will sound like, think again.” ― Derk Richardson, KPFA Radio

On Sand Storm , Kaze – the cooperative quartet featuring Japanese composer-pianist Satoko Fujii and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura along with French trumpeter Christian Pruvost and drummer Peter Orins – welcomes pioneering laptop player Ikue Mori as a special guest. It’s no easy task for a band that’s been together for 10 years to add a player without upsetting a well-developed group balance, but the merger proves to be a natural one.

30 Jun

[ July the 10th, 2020 release via Libra Records – Gato Libre – Koneko ]

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release date: July 10, 2020 via Libra Records

“…a remarkable trumpeter, individual, lyrical and dramatic. Gato Libre seems perfect for this aspect of Tamura’s varied musical personality.” ― Ray Comiskey, The Irish Times

“…composition and improvisation seem to melt into one…interaction, affinity, creativity, and intense listening are what make their music work.” – Amy Duncan, Jazz History Online

07 Feb

[ February the 14th release via Libra Records: The Satoko Fujii Orchestra New York – Entity ]

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release date: 14th February 2020

“This big band packs fierce solo power, but Fujii flexes all that muscle masterfully.” ― Tom Hull, The Village Voice

“Balances rousing swing with probing experimentation, updating the big band tradition with inspired verve and an abiding reverence for venerable customs.” ― Troy Collins, All About Jazz

“Interlocking riffs, driving rhythms and a tight band who do full justice to her imaginative conceptions, showing the benefits of a lineup barely changed since their 1997 debut.” ― John Sharpe, The New York City Jazz Record

07 Dec

[ 2019 December of 13th release via Libra Records: Satoko Fujii & Tatsuya Yoshida – Baikamo ]

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release date: December the 13th

“ Relentlessly inventive, energetic and definitely recommended.” ― Eric Hill, Exclaim!

“ These two seemingly disparate musicians seem to have formed a comfortable musical bond.” ― Robert Iannapollo, Signal to Noise

“ The music that comes out of the space between rock and contemporary classical music.” ― Masayuki Baba, Musee

Fifteen years after their last recording together, pianist-composer Satoko Fujii and drummer Tatsuya Yoshida reignite the burning intensity of their Toh-Kichi duet project on Baikamo (December 13, 2019 via Libra). Merging art-rock muscle with free jazz and contemporary classical abstractions, Fujii and Yoshida make music that is both gleefully playful and in-your-face energetic.