With each release, pianist-composer Michika Fukumori continues to shine brighter in the global jazz firmament. On her fourth album, Eternity and a Day (due June 6 from Summit Records), Fukumori not only affirms her artistry but also reveals an even deeper layer of creative confidence and emotional clarity.
Marking a significant milestone in her career, Eternity and a Day is the first album for which her original compositions outnumber the standards—a bold step that reflects her growth not just as a composer, but also as a self-assured producer steering the entire project. Featuring a deeply attuned trio with bassist Steve Whipple and renowned drummer Adam Nussbaum, the record carries a spirit of hope, beauty, and purpose.
“While an ordinary day can feel eternal, its fleeting nature reminds us to cherish and live each day deeply,” Fukumori says. “This idea permeates the entire album, offering a message of embracing each moment with light in our hearts and a sense of purpose.”
The music itself is an extension of that sentiment. Original pieces like “Another Tomorrow,” “Our Future (Reiwa),” and “There Is Always Light” radiate optimism through elegant melodies and emotive interplay. The title track, a delicate yet profound meditation, sets the tone for the album’s central theme: presence, gratitude, and the gentle passing of time.
Tracks like “Acaso” bounce with a lively Brazilian flair, while “Port (The Departure)” and “The Light of Dawn” evoke fresh beginnings and the quiet thrill of renewal. Even the selected standards are thoughtfully curated to echo the album’s emotional palette: the effervescence of Fats Waller’s “Jitterbug Waltz,” the tender swoon of “Be My Love,” and the imaginative fusion of Chopin’s Prelude Op. 28, No. 4 with Jobim’s “How Insensitive.”
Fukumori’s classical background remains a guiding force. Born in Iga, Mie Prefecture, Japan, she began playing piano at age three and composing at six. Though she studied classical composition formally, her heart gravitated to jazz. After studying in Tokyo under pianist Colgen Suzuki, she moved to New York in 2000, where she was mentored by jazz greats Geri Allen, Ron Carter, and longtime teacher Steve Kuhn.
With a master’s degree from City College of New York, Fukumori became a fixture in the New York jazz scene, performing at venues like the Blue Note, Zinc Bar, and Jazz at Kitano, all while maintaining close ties with her fans in Japan through annual tours.
Her discography reflects a steady evolution. From her 2004 debut Infinite Thoughts, to 2016’s Quality Time, to 2018’s Piano Images, Fukumori has gradually increased her focus on original material. Now, Eternity and a Day completes that journey—highlighting her voice as a composer as much as her finesse as a pianist.
To celebrate the release, Fukumori will perform at several NYC venues:
-
Sun. 5/4 & 5/18 – Arturo’s, solo (7–11 PM)
-
Sat. 5/17 & 5/24 – Antique Garage Tribeca, trio (7–10 PM)
-
Sun. 6/1, 6/22, & 6/29 – Arturo’s, solo (7–11 PM)
A Japan tour is also scheduled from August 21 to September 21.
With Eternity and a Day, Michika Fukumori offers more than music—she offers a reflective, radiant lens through which to view each day as sacred. In a world hungry for light, her piano provides it—gently, purposefully, and profoundly.
No comments:
Post a Comment