Keigo Iwami

Pianist Yusei Takahashi, bassist Keigo Iwami, and drummer Sota Kira are the three co-leaders of Setagaya Trio, a contemporary jazz group whose band name was inspired by meeting in the hip Shimokitazawa neighborhood of Tokyo’s Setagaya ward. This trio’s second album Progress was released in 2024 and follows their 2017 album Introducing Setagaya Trio, a debut released two years after their formation in 2015. Setagaya Trio’s concept is based on having all three players extend freely, rather than having one leader decide the group’s direction and style. This results in music that is freewheeling and fun with a risk-taking energy that is powered by their youthful, fresh attitude. The trio’s arrangements feel loose in a way, as if anything could happen, and they look forward to those unexpected surprises as challenges to meet head-on. At the same time, the tightness of their playing and arrangements is apparent, solid and effective. It’s an impressive bond arising from the extreme attention paid by each member to one another, no doubt paid off by their efforts and dedication to studied listening and practicing their art. ...

It was a surprise when Ami Fukui released even more new songs and arrangements with her trio on her release MCY (2023) so soon after her previous trio album Nova Manhã (2022). It does fit well, though, when considering the two albums as a set, as if they were a double album released in two parts. In fact, the songs for both albums were recorded during the same two-day recording session in November 2011. It was an opportune time, as the trio had plenty of live experience together, along with a nice batch of Fukui’s original songs to work with. ...

Pianist Ami Fukui continues her original jazz journey with Nova Manhã, her fourth leader album from 2022 with eight tracks running at about 45 minutes. As with her previous releases Urban Clutter (2010), Amizm (2013), and New Journey (2016), this creative musician focuses her original music on the specific sound of her trio and her concept this time out. Seven of the eight tracks on this album are her own compositions. Her music is often colorful, perhaps with more calming hues on this release, and her unique blend of cool beats and pop melodies with a soulful smile runs through the music. ...