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Chiemi Nakai: Ascendant

By Edward Blanco
August 23, 2019
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Unleashing her third album as leader, pianist/composer and arranger

Chiemi Nakai

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Chiemi Nakai delivers her best outing to date, melding jazz, the Latin sound and elements of Japanese pop. Containing mostly original compositions from the artist, Nakai also includes a couple of fresh re-arranged jazz standards from

Thelonious Monk

piano
1917 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Thelonious Monk and Gene De Paul.

The Latin tinge is present throughout the music, sprinkling a spicy tone all over the album, and quite nicely at that. Of course, Nakai's musical support for this effort draws on many musicians from the Latin genre including reed man

Alejandro Aviles

saxophone, alto
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Alejandro Aviles, bassist

Carlos DeRosa

" data-original-title="" title="">Carlos DeRosa, drummer

Juan Felipe Mayorga

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Juan Felipe Mayorga and percussionist

Wilson "Chembo" Corniel

percussion

" data-original-title="" title="">Wilson "Chembo" Corniel.

Also gracing the set on the title track, is jazz icon

Vince Cherico

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Vince Cherico, pounding the drum set as Nakai takes to the keyboards on a rising statement befitting its title. The album begins in strong fashion with two originals ("Your Spirit in the Sky with Hawks" and the melodious "I Will Meet You Again"), setting the stage for what's to come with superb key work from the leader and exquisite backing from Aviles on alto saxophone.

The Latin sound comes roaring through on "Volver," with vocalist Mari Koga voicing in Japanese and

Rafael Monteagudo

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Rafael Monteagudo pounding the cajon in support of Mayorga's drumming and carries through on Nakai's arrangement of "Monk's Mood." There's kind of a break from the Latin sound on De Paul's classic "You Don't Know What Love Is," played straight with little departure from the melody but still coming through as a fresh new take.

Closing out the set, the leader reverts to some more Latin elements on the finale, "Noche Especial," a fast-tempo Latin number full of timbre and a taste of salsa, capping off one heck of a session. There are many special moments on Ascendant, revealing an engaging experience of jazz with a Latin flavor, and marking the leader's continuing ascendance.

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Track Listing

Your Spirit in the Sky with Hawks: I will Meet You Again; Ascendant; Volver; Monk's Mood; You Don't Know What Love Is; Noche Especial.

Personnel

Chiemi Nakai

piano

Chiemi Nakai: piano, keyboards; Alejandro Aviles: alto saxophone, flute; Justin Flynn: tenor saxophone (3); Mari Koga: vocals (4); Carlo De Rosa: acoustic bass, electric bass; Ruben Rodriguez: electric bass (5, 7); Joel E. Mateo: drums (1, 5, 7); Juan Felipe Mayorga: drums (2, 4, 6); Vince Cherico: drums (3); Wilson Chembo Corniel: congas (5, 7), guiro (5); Rafael Monteagudo: cajon (4).

Album information

Title: Ascendant | Year Released: 2019 | Record Label: Self Produced

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