Female Jazz Pianist

I was wondering how many female jazz pianist around. I searched You tube with this keyword. There seemed to be a lot, but was not that many. After about an hour research, I concluded that there was not many. And I finally picked three Japanese females. They satisfy the criteria of technicality as well as the perspective of jazz.

I have heard Carmen McCrae when I visited Newport Jazz Fes, in 1968, or was it 1967? I cannot be sure now. She is the only female jazz pianist I have known to this date. Well, she is rather a singer, don't you think? She passed away in 1995 at her age of 74.

I picked those three: Asako shirasaki, Yoko Miwa and Hiromi Uehara. All of them sound like having their base upon the mixture of Thelonious Monk, MacCoy Tyner and a little bit of Bill Evans. I just wanted to say they are pretty close in the way to look at jazz music.

Out of those three, if I dare to pick the most favorite, it could be Miwa. Here's her play at a Jazz fes in Japan.



I like her harmony. She has the punch in her left hand. Swings pretty nice.

Ms. Uehara is exceptional. This play with Chick Corea won't bother you at all. The tune is All Blues, yes that All Blues that played by Miles Davis in early 60es. or was it the late 50es? No player ever played this tune so excitingly as this play of Ms Uehara and Corea. I mean not exciting but thought provokingly. Check it out, you'd love it.



Why do I put Uehara over Miwa? Well, the jazz perspective of Uehara is much larger, or should it be wider? than Miwa. She really SWINGs!

Too much notes, Mccoy Tyner

Right, I've never wrote about him, McCoy Tyner. I had a chance to watch his live session sometime in 1970 or 71, and the show was in Village. I cannot recall the name of the place. I remember that my friend told me that we should leave there sooner for its location wasn't safe.

Yes, he was playing trio. I was amazed how fast he could play. I had realized that those players known as recording artists had played much more notes than he had done at the recording session by then.

Boy, he was exceeding my expectation. It was too much.



This is a tune Thelonious Monk had composed. Not many player record this tune. It may be too much Monk. Bu it sounds unbelievably Tyner, don't you think? The sound reminds me of the great John Coltrane. The Coltrane sound had been a challenge for a foreigner wishing to play jazz or let's say the music that sound jazzy. I was able to stand his power for I was mere 18, 19 years old at the first encounter.

Do I listen to him lately? No, no way. he is too heavy for a guy aged so old. It could be said to Tyner as well. He is powerful, but I love John Lewis, Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones far more in these days. How about you?

Do you know a Japanese pop played by Pink Martini?

This is my favorite Saori, the lady singer who recorded pure Japanese song with Pink Martini lately. It's been a while since I heard this song last time. I got tear comes out pretty hard. I can't guess teh reason.



This arrangement itself is rather new. I remember that the original had been played slower. I'm not sure now, it's been long time ago, some 40 years back, you know. 40 years has been a long but short while. That was when I got married with my first wife. The life was full of hope and joy and expectation from others. Well, I should settle myself for having those days.

She has exceptionally beautiful voice, don't you think? And her face does represent the beauty of ancient Japan. No, don't take me wrong. The face of 6th to 10th century Japan. Her face represents a typical impression of Japanese women with slit eyes on oval and smooth blank face for the foreigners, right?

Is she a beauty? No, not in the modern sense but she sure is an adult lady worth earning respect.