ALONE by TOMO SUNADA

Tomo Sunada - Piano

1, 2 & 5 composed by Tomo Sunada
Arranged by Tomo Sunada

Dedicated to MITSUKI "Mitsukita" ASO

Renowned as the band leader and arranger for the jazz big band "Sunada BB & Mitsukita," pianist Tomo Sunada has released his first solo album. This album features a mix of his original compositions and jazz standards, showcasing a shift from the grandiose sound of big bands to a more intimate expression through solo piano. Characterized by delicate nuances and a wide range of emotions, this lush and calming work can be deeply appreciated, appealing not only to jazz fans but also to music lovers across genres. The album art features a photo of the autumn moon shining over Japan's highest mountain, inspired by the track "September Moonlight."

Available as 48kHz 16bit audio files《To enjoy higher sound quality and finer musical expression, we recommend purchasing and downloading the uncompressed files like WAV.》


Notes by Tomo Sunada

In 2024, the world has seen an increase in foreign tourists beyond pre-COVID levels, indicating a recovery from the pandemic. During the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 significantly reduced my performance opportunities, leading to a period without work for the first time since I began playing professionally. In this challenging time, in November 2020, I lost my musical partner and comrade, Mitsuki ‘Mitsukita' Aso, with whom I had worked for many years. The loss felt much greater than I had anticipated when we held a memorial concert at the end of the year. Mitsukita and I had jokingly talked about continuing our big band even if one of us could no longer perform, a conversation that became reality after her passing. The following year, despite the ongoing pandemic, we were able to hold a comeback concert for our big band in the fall. The album was recorded about three months prior to this concert. Amid the loss of my comrade and the inability to perform live, we began preparing for the comeback concert. Although I wasn't playing every day, the decrease in performance opportunities, especially solo piano, made me question my readiness to record, both technically and mentally. However, the timing of an old friend, Mr. Nukui, discussing recording felt serendipitous, and I decided to proceed. Technically, the recordings were not perfect, but I believe they capture my emotional state at the time. I am grateful to Mr. Nukui for organizing this project, to Mr. Masato Mitsuya for introducing and tuning a fine piano, and to the live house "CASK" for providing the space. The recorded standard numbers are ones Mitsukita and I often played, and some were recorded with arrangements we used at the time.

1. ALONE: This piece reflects the sorrow and loss of losing a comrade, emotions I hadn't fully expressed before. It embodies the expression of those feelings and the resolution to continue their legacy through my music.

2. BLUES no.3: This track is an improvisation from the start, deliberately lacking a predefined melody theme. It captures the essence of my feelings in the moment.

3. SUMMERTIME: This year experienced exceptionally extreme weather, with incredibly hot days. Despite it being June, "Summertime" came to mind, with a nod to Gershwin. While typically performed as a ballad, Mitsukita and I played it with a medium swing or Bossa Nova rhythm, embracing a free approach to its performance.

4. WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MADE: Known as a standard in the Japanese jazz scene, this song originally has Latin roots and was a famous Spanish tune. Commonly performed slowly, this rendition explores a slightly faster medium tempo with a Latin rhythm.

5. SEPTEMBER MOONLIGHT: Created just before what turned out to be our last live performance with Mitsukita in 2020, this piece was premiered at that concert. Mitsukita named it soon after it was composed, becoming its godparent.

6. S’WONDERFUL: A classic composition by Gershwin, performed with a Bossa Nova or Samba rhythm. The performance captures a bright and cheerful mood.

7. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES: Originally a slow-paced pop song with an oldies vibe, this solo performance adopts a slow 16-beat feel. The big band arrangement also follows this 16-beat style, maintaining consistency in its interpretation.



アルバム『アローン』について　砂田知宏

2024年の世の中は外国からの観光客もコロナ以前よりも多くなり、コロナ禍から立ち直っています。
コロナ禍ではコロナの影響で演奏する仕事が殆どなくなり、ピークの時にはレッスンする場所も閉鎖になったので、本当に仕事が無い月をプロとして演奏し始めてから初めて経験しました。
その最中の2020年の11月には、永年一緒に活動して来た音楽の相棒であり同志である麻生ミツキータ光希が亡くなりました。
年末に追悼ライブをやりましたが、その喪失感は自分が思っていたより遥かに大きなものだった様です。
ミツキータの生前、お互いのどちらかが続けられなくなってもビッグバンドは続けて行こうと冗談の様に話していたことが現実になりました。
翌年、コロナ禍はまだ治ってはいなかったが秋にビッグバンド復活ライブを行うことが出来ました。
このアルバムの録音はその約3ヶ月前に行いました。
演奏活動が出来ない状態と同志の他界による喪失感の中、復活ライブに向けて準備を始めた頃です。
殆ど毎日演奏していたわけでは無いけれど、それにしても演奏機会が減っていてしかもソロピアノなので技術的に精神的に録音出来る状態かどうか考えましたが、この時期に古くからの友人の温井氏が録音の話をしてくれたのも何かのタイミングだと思い録音することを決めました。
技術的には決して満足なテイクは録音できませんでしたが、録音当時の心境を記録出来たと思います。
今回企画してくれた温井さんに感謝します。
それから良い状態のピアノを紹介し調整してくれた三矢真人さんにも、そのピアノのあるライブハウス「CASK（カスク）」さんにも感謝申し上げます。
収録されたスタンダードナンバーはいずれも同志ミツキータとよく演奏していた曲なのでその時のアレンジで収録したものもあります。

1. ALONE
同志を失った悲しみと喪失感をちゃんと吐き出すことがなかったので、その感情を表し、それからその遺志を継いで活動する決意を音に込めました。

2. BLUES no.3
あえてテーマのメロディを決めずに最初からインプロヴィゼーションしています。
まさにその時に感じるままに。

3. SUMMERTIME
この年は本当に異常気象中の異常気象で暑い日は本当に暑かったです。
6月だというのに思いついたのがこの曲でした。ガーシュインということもちらっと意識しました。
普通はバラードで演奏されることが多いですが、ミツキータと一緒に演奏する時は今回の様にミディアムのスウィングで演奏したりボサノバのリズムで演奏したり、自由な発想で演奏していました。

4. WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MADE
この曲はスタンダードナンバーの1つとして日本のジャズ界では有名ですが、元はラテンの有名曲でスペイン語の曲だった様です。
どちらでもスローに演奏することが多い様に思いますが、今回はスローより少し速いミディアムテンポのラテン系リズムで演奏してみました。

5. SEPTEMBER MOONLIGHT
2020年のミツキータとの結果的に最後になったライブの直前に出来、そのライブで初演しました。
出来てすぐミツキータに送り曲名をつけてもらいました。ミツキータが名付け親です。

6. S’WONDERFUL
ガーシュイン作曲の名曲です。
ボサノバやサンバの雰囲気のリズムで演奏しています。
明るい感じで演奏出来ました。

7. SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES
ポップスとしてはスローな3連系での演奏でオールディーズの雰囲気を持つ曲ですが、ソロではスローな16beatでの演奏になっています。
ビッグバンドでも同じように16beat系にアレンジして演奏しています。

【ジャズ・ビッグバンド「砂田BB＆ミツキータ」のリーダー、アレンジャーとして知られるピアニスト、砂田知宏が初のソロ・アルバムをリリース。オリジナル曲とジャズ・スタンダードを織り交ぜ、ビッグバンドの絢爛豪華なサウンドから、ソロ・ピアノによる親密な表現へとシフトしている。繊細なニュアンスと幅広い情感が特徴で、心を鎮めるようにじっくり聴ける豊潤な作品となっており、ジャズ・ファンのみならずジャンルを超えた音楽愛好家に幅広くアピールする。アルバムアートの写真には、収録曲「セプテンバー・ムーンライト」にちなんで、日本一高い山の上に輝く秋の月の写真が使われている。】


"Tomo Sunada Profile: Brief Overview"

Tomo Sunada, from Hiroshima, is a prominent jazz pianist and arranger. He honed his skills in Tokyo under acclaimed musicians and has been part of a wide range of performances, from solo to big bands, including collaborations with Nancy Wilson and Benny Golson. He founded the "Tomo Sunada BIG BAND," now known as "Sunada BB & Mitsukita," which is celebrated for its unique arrangements and live performances. After a pause in 2020, the band resumed its activities in 2021. Sunada also actively contributes as a main instructor for Saitama City's big band projects.


"Tomo Sunada Profile: Detailed Biography"

Born in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture. Libra, blood type O.
Began learning piano from a young age and joined the brass band club in high school, playing the trumpet.
After graduating from the Hiroshima University Faculty of Education (majoring in Music: Piano) and completing a postgraduate course in education (music), he moved to Tokyo.
During his university years, he started playing jazz by joining amateur bands of working adults in his hometown (Onomichi, Fukuyama).

After moving to Tokyo, he enrolled in the Music College Mezer House, where he studied piano under Aki Takase and piano and arrangement under Masahiko Sato, becoming a scholarship student in his second year.
Upon graduation, he was invited to teach at the same school, where he remained active until 2008.

He also began his career as a jazz pianist around the same time.
He has experience playing in various formations from solo piano to big band and has participated in numerous groups and sessions.

In 1987, he participated as a keyboardist in Nancy Wilson's Japan tour.
In 1997, he performed with Benny Golson during the tour for Miki Yamaoka's album release of "I Remember Clifford."
From 1996 to 2000, he was a member of the Kenichi Tsunoda Big Band and participated in the recording of the album "Savannah."

In recent years, he has also gained attention as an arranger.
In December 2000, he launched "Tomo Sunada BIG BAND☆ Feat. Mitsuki Aso" (nicknamed "Sunada BB") at Someday in Shin-Okubo, achieving great success.
All the songs were arranged by him (over 150 to date), featuring seasoned members and the powerful sound of an 18-piece band, regularly performing LIVE with Mitsuki Aso (vocal) featured.
In 2008, the band's name was changed to "Sunada BB & Mitsukita," and they released their 1st album "GORGEOUS!"
Due to Mitsukita Aso's passing and the pandemic, live activities were suspended in 2020, but resumed in September 2021 with new vocalists (Sanae Ishikawa, Miwa Tanabe), continuing to this day.
The band name remains unchanged as "Sunada BB & Mitsukita."

Since 2010, he has been the main instructor for the Saitama City Cultural Promotion Foundation's project "Let's Play with Big Band," conducting clinics for big bands formed through public recruitment.
Since 2011, he has also been conducting clinics as the main instructor for adult big bands using the professional arrangements of "Sunada BB & Mitsukita," continuing to do so.
From 2014 to 2022, he has held an annual "Jazz Piano Course" as part of the Saitama City Cultural Promotion Foundation's activities.

http://sunadabb.com
http://sunada-bb.air-nifty.com

Celebrating Sonic Diversity. Tribass Music Studios is a music label that offers outstanding music across various genres. Its jazz division, TMS-Jazz, features remarkable works including solo piano and jazz guitar trio performances. Through high-quality recordings and sophisticated projects, TMS-Jazz brings you the best in jazz music. Established in April 2024 to release the music of Tomo Sunada.

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