16 Nov

[ November 21, 2025 release on Libra Records – Satoko Fujii Quartet – Burning Wick ]

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Pianist-composer Satoko Fujii’s Reunited Avant Jazz-Rock Quartet Offers a Wild Thrill Ride on their New CD, Burning Wick, out November 21, 2025 via Libra Records.

“The band has lost none of its edge; challenging though the music is, it is also nuanced, as the quartet continues to find new ways to navigate uncharted areas between musical genres. —Troy Collins, Point of Departure

“One of the most justified reunions of this century.” — Eyal Hareuveni, Free Jazz Blog

On Burning Wick, pianist-composer Satoko Fujii steers her powerhouse avant jazz-rock fusion quartet with trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, bassist Hayakawa Takeharu, and drummer Tatsuya Yoshida in new directions.

13 Sep

[ September 19th, 2025 release on Libra, Satoko Fujii & Natsuki Tamura Duo – Ki ]

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Ki to be released September 19, 2025 via Libra Records

Pianist-composer Satoko Fujii and Trumpeter-composer Natsuki Tamura Dare to Be Quietly Adventurous on Their Tenth Duo Album

“It’s rare to sense this level of intuition between musicians.” – Kurt Gottschalk, New York City Jazz Record

“They can … charm, seduce, bewilder and ease a worried mind.” – Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

05 Jul

[ July the 11th, 2025 release on Libra Records: Kaze & Koichi Makigami – Shishiodoshi ]

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Kaze, the cooperative quartet featuring Japanese composer-pianist Satoko Fujii and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura along with French trumpeter Christian Pruvost and drummer Peter Orins, joins forces with vocalist Koichi Makigami, a legend of Japanese avant-rock and free improv, for an inspired blend of serious music-making and quirky humor on their new album Shishiodoshi. The album is out today, July 11 via Circum/Libra.

“a bounty of fascination” — Doug Collette, All about Jazz

“[Kaze] does the unexpected in ways that delight.” — S. Victor Aaron, Something Else!

Dee Dee McNeil of Making a Scene agrees: “…a flash of improvised music and unique vocals that are like none other…. I would expect nothing less from the creative and intense composer and pianist, Satoko Fujii.… surprising, stunning and exceptional. Especially with the addition of their special guest vocalist, Koichi Makigami.”

01 May

[ May the 9th, 2025 release on Libra Records: Satoko Fujii’s This is It! – Message ]

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release date: 09.05.2025 on Libra Records

The brilliant pianist/composer Satoko Fujii never ceases to amaze! Message, the boisterous third album from This is It! featuring Fujii with trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, and the buoyant, unpredictable percussionist Takashi Itani, is out May 9, 2025 via Libra

“this is music that deserves to be heard with full attention – with the understanding that no matter what we’re hearing, ‘this is it!’” – Eric McDowell, The Free Jazz Collective

“…can’t get much closer to improvisational music perfection…..As with any Fujii project but especially the smaller combo ones, telepathy and simpatico are the two main ingredients that elevate her music well beyond the notes.

– Victor Aaron, Something Else!

27 Mar

[ March the 28th, 2025 – Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio – Dream a Dream – Libra Records ]

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Satoko Fujii’s Tokyo Trio Dream a Dream to be released on March 28, 2025, via Libra Records

“Satoko Fujii’s Tokyo Trio isn’t even close to being a conventional jazz trio. . . . But it is a Satoko Fujii ensemble in every sense, with the grace, sophistication, surprise and ingenuity found in every other of her ensembles.” — S. Victor Aaron, Something Else!

“Ms. Fujii’s Tokyo Trio has all the requisites for a landmark avant Jazz Improv Trio.” — Grego Applegate Edwards, Gapplegate Music Review

After two previous live recordings, pianist-composer Satoko Fujii’s Tokyo Trio made their third release, Dream a Dream in the studio. The beautifully detailed recording cements their place as one of the leading piano trios of our time. The group has an innate chemistry that allows them to navigate Fujii’s compositions as well as improvise with telepathic unity. It’s an unbeatable combination of individual and collective expression that keeps the music always lively and surprising. The album will be released March 28, 2025 via Libra Records.

19 Jan

[ January the 24th, 2025 release via Libra Records: Satoko Fujii GEN – Altitude 1100 Meters ]

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Altitude 1100 Meters to be released on January 24, 2025 via Libra Records.

Pianist-composer Satoko Fujii’s New String Ensemble, GEN, Makes a Stunning Debut on Her Latest Album, Altitude 1100 Meters

“Fujii’s music is unique. . . . she keeps inventing herself, with all her many bands playing totally different things, but all with the same underlying quality and recognizable vision.” – Stef Gjissels, Free Jazz Collective

“Satoko Fujii does not set boundaries and limits to her creativity – passionate and determined to search for every possible exploratory solution of sound, composition and improvisation.” – Guiseppe Mavilla, Scrivere di Jazz (Italy)

13 Nov

[ November the 15th, 2024 release via Long Song Records: Joe Fonda Quartet – Eyes on the Horizon ]

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Eyes on the Horizon, bassist/composer Joe Fonda’s powerful tribute to his former teacher and mentor Wadada Leo Smith, will be released on November 15, 2024 via Long Song Records.

Featuring Fonda, Smith, pianist Satoko Fujii, and drummer Tiziano Tononi, it is a gift given by a mature artist out of respect to another whose example of artistic integrity, perseverance, and ongoing creativity continues to inspire him to this day.

“a real virtuoso and composer of the highest order.” — Anthony Braxton

“Fonda is a serious seeker of new musical horizons.” — Boston Phoenix

08 Sep

[ September 13th, 2024 release on Libra Records: Satoko Fujii Quartet – Dog Days of Summer ]

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On Dog Days of Summer pianist/composer Satoko Fujii reconvenes her fearlessly adventurous avant jazz-rock quartet after an 18-year pause. Out September 13, 2024 via Libra Records, the band’s sixth album features Fujii with trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, bassist Takeharu Hayakawa, and drummer Tatsuya Yoshida.

“Satoko does a great job of writing challenging, quick-changing, progressive/jazz/rock music that this daredevil quartet excels at playing… As always, Satoko Fujii and her extraordinary quartet deliver the goods and keep all of us smiling.” — Bruce Gallanter, Downtown Music Gallery

“Fujii’s sound world is a kaleidoscope, and those familiar with her work have come to expect the unexpected. If any artist can be said to meet expectations by upsetting them, she’s one.” — Mike Chamberlain, Coda

02 Jul

[ July 12th, 2024 release on Libra Records: Satoko Fujii & Natsuki Tamura – Aloft ]

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Pianist/composer Satoko Fujii and trumpeter/composer Natsuki Tamura release their ninth duo album Aloft on July 12, 2024 via Libra Records. After nearly 30 years of working together, the wife/husband duo showcases an ever-deepening ability to create and explore new sounds that borders on telepathic.

“It seems—in the studio or on the stage—that Fujii and Tamura think as one.” – Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz

“a thrilling ride for the listener” – Steve Feeney, Portland Press Herald

05 Feb

[ February 9th, 2024 release via Circum-Libra: Satoko Fujii/Kaze – Unwritten ]

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The cooperative international quartet Kaze, featuring Japanese composer-pianist Satoko Fujii and trumpeter Natsuki Tamura along with French trumpeter Christian Pruvost and drummer Peter Orins, will release Unwritten, the first completely improvised album in their 13-year history, on February 9, 2024 via Circum/Libra. Recorded live in Lille, France, the album showcases the depth and connection of the musicians.

“Romantic, cacophonous, intelligent, and thoroughly without pretence.” — Steve Mossberg, Arts Fuse

“The Kaze concept shows no sign of going stale. Every time out they freshen that concept in ingenious ways.”— S. Victor Aaron, Something Else!