Just a brief reminder that the Art of Jazz Series 2005-2006 will kick off this Sunday, October 16 at 3 p.m. with the legendary Toshiko Akiyoshi and her trio, which features one of England s premier drummers, Mark Taylor (George Coleman, Johnny Griffin, Monty Alexander, James Moody, and many other greats) and bassist Paul Gill (toured recently with Diana Krall).
A true jazz pioneer, Toshiko Akiyoshi was born in Manchuria and lived in Japan before coming to the United States in 1956 under the mentorship of Oscar Peterson. The Toshiko Akiyoshi Big Band, formed in 1972, has received fourteen Grammy nominations since 1976. Voted number one in Down Beat magazine’s Best Big Band category, Toshiko has also placed first in the Best Arranger and Composer categories in the magazine s readers poll, making her the first woman in the history of jazz to have been so honored. In recent years, Akiyoshi has focused on her piano work a unique blend of classic be-bop with eastern influences.
This promises to be a great afternoon of bebop piano. If you enjoyed Barry Harris, you won t want to miss this performance. The pre-concert conversation at 2 p.m. will feature Chuck Mancuso who will discuss the history of women as bandleaders in jazz.
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