Flautist and composer
Mayu Saeki's debut recording, Hope (available on Brooklyn Jazz Underground
Records, March 16), breathes and resonates with beauty and optimism. Hope tells
the story of Saeki's journey to NYC from her native Tokyo. There she left a
complete life for an uncertain future in New York City. Shortly after arriving,
armed only with extensive classical training and mentorship, determination and
hope, not to mention an abundance of talent, the opportunity presented itself
to be a part of Chico Hamilton's group. She toured and recorded with Hamilton,
appearing on several albums, including Revelation and Euphoric (both were
released in 2011 from Joyous Shout! records), until his passing in 2013. His
final recording, The Inquiring Mind (released posthumously in 2014) features
her composition, "Hope". During her time in Hamilton's band, Ms.
Saeki began composing and actively performing with her own trio in 2011, making
her debut at Jazz at the Kitano with Aaron Goldberg on piano and Joe Sanders on
bass, and leading her band on several Atlantic coastal tours. This was the
beginning of the road that led Saeki to create this recording, Hope.
Hope feels
like the fifth or sixth offering from a veteran on the scene. Ms. Saeki
certainly had an advantage, recording with Aaron Goldberg, Joe Sanders, John
Davis and Nori Ochiai (a former student of Goldberg's and a fine modern jazz
pianist in his own right), but her self-assurance comes across without dubiety.
Her solo on the title track bears a joyful swagger (immediately following a gem
of a solo from Mr. Goldberg). Her playing, specifically the intro, solo &
outro, on "Soshu-Yakyoku" are also moments to behold, as they
encapsulate the sincerity and soul of this album. And, her band mates are on
board completely, and given ample space to express their brilliance. Check out
Joe Sanders' truly breathtaking playing on "Do You Know", and behold
drummer John Davis' brilliant, flowing solo over the vamp of the same tune.
Goldberg is flawless throughout, but a highlight is his accompaniment and solo
on the opening track, "Dilemma". "Libertango" and
"Oblivion" showcase Mayu's classical training and her love for the
music of Astor Piazzolla (with "Oblivion" displaying Mayu's expertise
on piccolo flute). Hope truly "offers the listener a glimpse into the
musical heart of one of today's great musicians. Mayu Saeki is a shining
example of the hope we all can have when we combine passion, perseverance, and
a strong voice. Mayu's voice is a gorgeous flute sound that will surely inspire
hope in everyone who hears it". - Demarre McGill, Principal Flutist of the
Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
With nearly a decade of her musical career in New York City, Mayu Saeki,
an alumni of Elizabeth University of Music, still keeps transforming herself,
apparently with no limits. Her versatile and passionate style is deeply rooted
in her early childhood classical training and mentorship with Sanae Nakayama,
Keiji Oshiro, Kazukiyo Inoue, Pierre Yves Artaud, Alain Marion, and NEA jazz
master, Chico Hamilton. Post-Chico Hamilton, and in addition to leading her own
group more frequently, Saeki's "sideman" career continues to grow
with an all-female Irish music group, Four Celtic Voices, and Cosmos Sunshine's
Butterfly Effect (appearing on Butterfly Fight Effect, released in 2016, and
their new album,
Comes With
The Fall, due out on March 9). In addition, Saeki has recently joined a project
titled "Mark Gross with Strings", led by Grammy award-winning jazz
saxophonist, Mark Gross (also the liner note writer for Hope). Saeki also
regularly performs with harpist/vocalist Erin Hill's group.
"It was
a pivotal moment to record my own album, and I'm very happy that I was able to
deliver before I mark my tenth year being in New York. This album is
reflections of my life, filled with passion and curiosity, love of music, and
hopes that I never, ever let go of. Music has been with me since I was little.
It has always been honest and keeps giving me hope for a better day. I wish
that this HOPE, the feeling I have, is going to reach straight to your heart
and sincerely hope your day is better tomorrow. I would like to dedicate this
album to the memory of my father, Kazuo, and my mentor, Chico Hamilton, who
left me invaluable experiences and precious memories". - Mayu Saeki
Mayu Saeki -
Hope
1 - Dilemma
(Mayu Saeki) - 7:52
2 - Hope
(Mayu Saeki) - 7:24
3 -
Soshu-Yakyoku (Ryoichi Hattori, arr., Saeki) - 9:43
4 -
Libertango (Astor Piazzolla, arr., Saeki) - 7:34
5 - Oblivion
(Astor Piazzolla, arr., Saeki) - 9:57
6 - Do You
Know...? (Mayu Saeki) - 7:03
Recorded by
John Davis at The Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, NY
Mayu Saeki
(flute, piccolo, shinobue), Special guest Aaron Goldberg (piano, tks 1, 2, 3),
Nori Ochiai (piano, tks 4, 5, 6), Joe Sanders (upright and electric bass), John
Davis (drums)
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