Toshiko Mariano Quartet
Toshiko Mariano Quartet
REMASTERED By Bernie Grundman
From Original Master Tapes
Toshiko Mariano Quartet is the 1961 album from fourteen time Grammy Nominated pianist and composer Toshiko Akiyoshi - then known as Toshiko Mariano.
While she was later to compose using themes, harmonies, and instruments connected to her Japanese heritage, this album captures the pianist early in her career playing a straight ahead, harp bop style. This was already her 7th album as a band leader, and it is a shining example of her confidence and mastery of her instrument and as a band leader.
With encouragement from fans like Oscar Peterson, a 25 year old Akiyoshi recorded her first album with the legendary jazz impresario Norman Ganz in 1954. Soon after being “discovered” by the American Jazz scene, she moved to the United States and in 1955, with a full scholarship, became the first Japanese student at the Berklee School of Music.
In 1959 she married saxophonist Charlie Mariano and the two began steadily working together. Toshiko Mariano Quartet is the first recording session of this unit, and one of few albums the couple made together.
Women have long been denied the credit they deserve in jazz. It must be noted that as a Japanese women in jazz, Akiyoshi had to battle for acceptance on many fronts. Jazz has been a patriarchy community from the beginning, and even critical praise of her playing could not help but take note of her gender. Leonard Feather, for example, writing at the time in the Encyclopedia of Jazz called out Akiyoshi’s playing as “fiery, powerfully articulated and exceptionally fluent,” but added that there was “nothing delicately feminine.” Even today it is still hard for people to see Jazz in any other way. We are pleased to be a part of shifting the narrative and shine a spotlight on this talented artist and this wonderful album.
Recorded at the Nola Penthouse Studios in New Your City in December of 1960, the LP includes extraordinary liner notes by Candid A&R man and producer Nat Hentoff giving a context and insight that adds to the experience of hearing these extraordinary performances.
Toshiko Mariano Quartet is the 1961 album from fourteen time Grammy Nominated pianist and composer Toshiko Akiyoshi - then known as Toshiko Mariano.
While she was later to compose using themes, harmonies, and instruments connected to her Japanese heritage, this album captures the pianist early in her career playing a straight ahead, harp bop style. This was already her 7th album as a band leader, and it is a shining example of her confidence and mastery of her instrument and as a band leader.
With encouragement from fans like Oscar Peterson, a 25 year old Akiyoshi recorded her first album with the legendary jazz impresario Norman Ganz in 1954. Soon after being “discovered” by the American Jazz scene, she moved to the United States and in 1955, with a full scholarship, became the first Japanese student at the Berklee School of Music.
In 1959 she married saxophonist Charlie Mariano and the two began steadily working together. Toshiko Mariano Quartet is the first recording session of this unit, and one of few albums the couple made together.
Women have long been denied the credit they deserve in jazz. It must be noted that as a Japanese women in jazz, Akiyoshi had to battle for acceptance on many fronts. Jazz has been a patriarchy community from the beginning, and even critical praise of her playing could not help but take note of her gender. Leonard Feather, for example, writing at the time in the Encyclopedia of Jazz called out Akiyoshi’s playing as “fiery, powerfully articulated and exceptionally fluent,” but added that there was “nothing delicately feminine.” Even today it is still hard for people to see Jazz in any other way. We are pleased to be a part of shifting the narrative and shine a spotlight on this talented artist and this wonderful album.
Recorded at the Nola Penthouse Studios in New Your City in December of 1960, the LP includes extraordinary liner notes by Candid A&R man and producer Nat Hentoff giving a context and insight that adds to the experience of hearing these extraordinary performances.
Toshiko Mariano Quartet is the 1961 album from fourteen time Grammy Nominated pianist and composer Toshiko Akiyoshi - then known as Toshiko Mariano.
While she was later to compose using themes, harmonies, and instruments connected to her Japanese heritage, this album captures the pianist early in her career playing a straight ahead, harp bop style. This was already her 7th album as a band leader, and it is a shining example of her confidence and mastery of her instrument and as a band leader.
With encouragement from fans like Oscar Peterson, a 25 year old Akiyoshi recorded her first album with the legendary jazz impresario Norman Ganz in 1954. Soon after being “discovered” by the American Jazz scene, she moved to the United States and in 1955, with a full scholarship, became the first Japanese student at the Berklee School of Music.
In 1959 she married saxophonist Charlie Mariano and the two began steadily working together. Toshiko Mariano Quartet is the first recording session of this unit, and one of few albums the couple made together.
Women have long been denied the credit they deserve in jazz. It must be noted that as a Japanese women in jazz, Akiyoshi had to battle for acceptance on many fronts. Jazz has been a patriarchy community from the beginning, and even critical praise of her playing could not help but take note of her gender. Leonard Feather, for example, writing at the time in the Encyclopedia of Jazz called out Akiyoshi’s playing as “fiery, powerfully articulated and exceptionally fluent,” but added that there was “nothing delicately feminine.” Even today it is still hard for people to see Jazz in any other way. We are pleased to be a part of shifting the narrative and shine a spotlight on this talented artist and this wonderful album.
Recorded at the Nola Penthouse Studios in New Your City in December of 1960, the LP includes extraordinary liner notes by Candid A&R man and producer Nat Hentoff giving a context and insight that adds to the experience of hearing these extraordinary performances.
Toshiko Akiyoshi Mariano, Charlie Mariano, Gene Cherico, Eddie Marshall
Tracklisting
SIDE 1
- When You Meet Her
- Little T
SIDE 2
- Toshiko's Elegy
- Deep River
- Long Yellow Road
PRESSED ON 180 GRAM VINYL
CUT DIRECTLY FROM MASTER TAPES
DELUXE PACKAGING
Tracklisting
- When You Meet Her
- Toshiko's Elegy
- Little T
- Deep River
- Long Yellow Road
REMASTERED DIRECTLY FROM MASTER TAPES
Tracklisting
- When You Meet Her
- Toshiko's Elegy
- Little T
- Deep River
- Long Yellow Road
REMASTERED DIRECTLY FROM MASTER TAPES
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