Few artists can surprise listeners with every release quite like pianist-composer Satoko Fujii. On Message, her third album with the powerhouse trio This Is It!, Fujii proves once again that spontaneity and deep musical connection can yield extraordinary results. Set to release on May 9, 2025, via Libra Records, Message is a spirited, adventurous journey through the boundless landscape of modern improvised music.
Featuring long-time collaborator and husband Natsuki Tamura on trumpet and the wildly inventive Takashi Itani on percussion, this trio thrives on musical risk-taking and intimate interplay. As Fujii explains, “My compositions are sometimes too serious, but with Takashi, they can be full of humor.” The chemistry is undeniable—an ensemble of fearless improvisers who bring structure, freedom, and raw creativity to every note.
Message kicks off with its title track, a perfect encapsulation of the trio’s sound: compositional precision fused with the unexpected detours of improvisation. Fujii and Itani engage in a percussive dialogue of almost orchestral depth, while Tamura floats above with melodic clarity and conviction.
From there, the album spans a wide emotional and musical range. “Cryptography” weaves together translucent textures and impressionistic lyricism. “Falafel Feast”—a nod to a favorite Berlin eatery—erupts into vibrant collective improvisation before resolving into Fujii’s playful, off-kilter theme. “Ernesto,” inspired by the life of Che Guevara, channels turbulence and conviction, blending gritty trumpet lines with Fujii’s powerful pianism. And “Never Mind” surges with kinetic energy, while the closing track, “Orange Flicker,” dissolves into a meditative shimmer of tone color.
Throughout the album, the trio exhibits the kind of telepathy that only comes from deep listening and shared vision. As Something Else!’s Victor Aaron writes, “You can’t get much closer to improvisational music perfection…telepathy and simpatico are the two main ingredients that elevate her music well beyond the notes.”
Fujii has long been recognized as one of the most original voices in jazz. Her compositions blend jazz, classical, rock, and Japanese folk traditions in a way that is unmistakably her own. With over 100 albums as a leader and high praise from the New York Times, DownBeat, and Cadence, she continues to redefine the possibilities of improvised music.
With Message, Fujii, Tamura, and Itani remind us that sometimes, the clearest artistic statement isn’t just composed—it’s discovered in the moment. And when it hits, we know: this is it.
Satoko Fujii’s Message (Libra Records)
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Satoko Fujii – piano
Natsuki Tamura – trumpet
Takashi Itani – percussion
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