Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jazz Triangle 65-77: Jazz Triangle 65-77

Jazz Triangle 65-77: Jazz Triangle 65-77

By Mark Sullivan
December 20, 2017
View read count

Jazz Triangle 65-77: Jazz Triangle 65-77

Jazz Triangle 65-77 is a New York-based chamber jazz trio made up of flutist

Haruna Fukazawa

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Haruna Fukazawa, acoustic guitarist

Shu Odamura

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Shu Odamura and bassist

" data-original-title="" title="">Aki Yamamoto. They are all Japanese and have musical backgrounds in both jazz and classical music: there is a definite classical tinge to their composing and arranging. Bassist Yamamoto is responsible for the majority of the compositions and arrangements, and the set opens with his "Arbitration," a sprightly Latin tune that serves as an inviting introduction to the group. "Waiting For Spring" is a waltz with a reflective, rubato introduction. "Firebird" closes out the opening group of Yamamoto compositions. It is a beautiful ballad, with fine arco bass playing in the introduction, as well as an exceptionally melodic bass solo.

Flutist Fukazawa contributed "A Queen Of The Night," another ballad. The first cover is pianist

Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans' "Interplay." It has a classical feel with its contrapuntal head, but features a jazz guitar solo from Odamura (perhaps a tribute to

Jim Hall

guitar
1930 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Hall, guitarist on the original recording). Odamura's sole composition "Parallel Worlds" has an opening theme built on a bass ostinato, followed by an intricate second theme shared by flute and guitar. After a series of solos there is a reprise of the first theme, giving the piece a satisfying balance.

The set closes with two covers. Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff's famous "Vocalise" gives the vocal line to the flute in Yamamoto's arrangement. It is a composition that lends itself to diverse interpretations, and finds a home with this jazz trio, while also giving a bit of focus to their roots in classical music. Odamura and Yamamoto share the arrangement of the standard "Stranger In Paradise," which is given an energetic jazz treatment, with the bass playing the theme (and overdubbed flutes adding to the bridge). An unusual choice, but typical of this triangle: a group that gains strength from the contributions of all three members

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Arbitration; Waiting For Spring; Firebird; A Queen Of The Night; Interplay; Parallel Worlds; Vocalise; Stranger In Paradise.

Personnel

Aki Yamamoto

Haruna Fukazawa: flute; Shu Odamura: guitar; Aki Yamamoto: bass.

Album information

Title: Jazz Triangle 65-77 | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: What's New Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Boston Roundup: Larry Carlton, Brit ...
< Previous

Mandala
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.