池田篤 on Jazz of Japan | Brian McCrory

Toru Takahashi: Tokyo Groovin’ High!

Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Drummer Toru Takahashi’s debut album is Tokyo Groovin’ High, a 2021 release that presents addictive jazz bebop favorites performed by long-time musical partners and friends. This is a drummer-led album where Takahashi makes the most of arranging the musicians in various forms. With three different rhythm sections, the drummer plays with quartet and quintet forms, the classic piano trio, and even a septet featuring two special guests known for rakugo storytelling performances and television appearances.

Hara Dairiki Trio: You’ve Changed

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The Hara Dairiki Trio creates a jubilant atmosphere on You’ve Changed, playing choice jazz standards from the bebop and straight-ahead jazz songbook.

The drum-led trio creates a live sound, bright and open, in a chord-less configuration consisting of drums, bass, and alto sax. The stripped-down sound creates both purity and rawness that pulls the listener straight into the music, loose and fun and in control, with soaring, bebop saxophone fluidly soaring over the solid double bass and drum foundation.