Asami / 朝見 by Katsura Yamauchi & Salmosax Ensemble
The remarkable musician and composer Katsura Yamauchi performing on his own and - for the first time on CD - leading a group of fellow saxophonists. Yamauchi's solo consists of serene compositions and deeply focused improvisations with a gentle sense of tone and time. The ensemble premieres the idea of "semi-automatic improvisation", a system created by Yamauchi, in addition to expressive tunes and a beautiful ballad, all merging the abstract and the familiar.
Tracklist
Credits
Salmosax solo:
1. Chikushi [8:17]
2. Hi, [2:42]
3. Improvisation [15:48]
Salmosax Ensemble:
4. Shijima [5:42]
5. Shizuku [2:53]
6. Duck [0:42]
7. Who? [5:04]
8. Far East [4:47]
9. Kage Ballad [2:23]
total [48:12]
Compositions and arrangement by Katsura Yamauchi (山内 桂)
Katsura Yamauchi: Sopranino and alto saxophones
Salmosax Ensemble workshop members:
Chiharu Mizukawa, Kota Furusawa, Shiori Teshima, Yoshiomi Shuto, Yuka Takemoto
Recorded at Asami shrine in Beppu, Japan, May 24th, 2009.
Mastering and design: Martin Vognsen
Jvtlandt (Denmark) JVT0004
jvtlandt.com
License
All rights reserved.
Katsura Yamauchi picked up sax in 1970s and was drawn to jazz and free improvisation. He lives Oita city, far from the big cities in Japan, but he has now shown himself to be one of the most unique musicians in Japan.
He quit his regular job in 2002, he had developed his own original style. The music is challenging and easily accessible, unrecognizable and beautiful. He also made some movies.