This trio led by drummer Masakiyo plays fast and loose--in all the right ways. Digging into works by Ornette Coleman and Thelonius Monk, they have a ragged, angular style that pulses with energy. Even when playing standards like “Lover Man” or “All the Things You Are,” the trio’s open modal style had a strong kick. Ikeda sketched out the melody with a very free sax hand, following long lines of melody into multiple directions. Masakiyo loosened time into his own fabulously complex idea of how rhythms work. In between these two, Shima kept their centrifugal forces anchored.
Gypsy jazz is such a straight-to-the-heart pleasure, it is amazing it is not played much, much more. Going under the name of gypsy jazz, gypsy swing, or jazz manouche (now the more politically correct term), this special acoustic style goes back to the famed guitarist, Django Reinhardt, its innovator and patron saint. Since Tokyo seems to hold so many other unique imports, perhaps it is no surprise there is a circuit of jazz manouche players here, but they are a dedicated, fun-loving bunch with jaw-dropping technique and strong dedication to the music.
Yuki Arimasa – piano Yasuhiko “Hachi” Sato - bass Dairiki Hara – drums
The piano trio forms the very heart of jazz and Yuki Arimasa’s is one of the finest examples why. They play jazz: a simple statement that is easy to say but rarely accomplished. The trio has the right synergy, which they put to great use. The club is just the right venue for this trio, not only because of great acoustics, but because the acoustics allow you to really hear every nuance of the trio’s sound and sink into it deeply.
Izumi Masakiyo - drums
Nobutake Ito – guitar
Yuki Arimasa – piano