Baroque

The new album “Baroque”, Junko’s debut from Verve, consists of her originals and some classical materials of the 20th century.  ‘Tutti’ featuring master of the drums Herlin Riley and congas by Roland Guererro, ‘The Mother’s (Where Johnny Is)’ and ‘The Threepenny Opera’ showcase her rare talent as pianist, bandleader and composer.  In fact, ‘The Threepenny Opera’, the 20-minute tour-de-force starting from the heavy-hitting interplay by bassists Reginald Veal and Rodney Whitaker, had been performed several times on stage in Japan, but those performances were mostly in trio or solo-piano format and thus didn’t fully realize her original concept.  “Horn section, especially the trombone, was indispensable,” says Junko, and it was not until this recording welcoming virtuoso Wycliffe Gordon on the board that she could satisfy her need for the composition.  For her solo piano section, incidentally, she uses a motif left by Jaki Byard whom she calls her mentor.

‘Meditations for a Pair of Wire Cutters’ was composed by Charles Mingus.  All musicians perform as if they are praying in a huge cathedral.  The composition is followed by ‘Flamingo’ where Junko pays honor to the version from this great composer’s 1957 release “Tijuana Moods”.  ‘The Street Beat/52nd Street Theme’ is a bebop tune to which little attention is paid these days.  She decided to add this rarity to her repertoire when she was fascinated by its live performance by Charlie Parker, Fats Navarro and Bud Powell recorded at the Birdland club NYC in 1950.  And now over the half century since then, Junko and three horn players (Nicholas, James and Wycliffe) relays their inspiring solo full of Be-Bop spirit.

‘Stardust’ and ‘Memories of You’ are performed as solo piano pieces.  “To me, solo piano is a form of expression that reveals everything I have cultivated,” says Junko.  “So, it is scary, but, because of that, it gives me a sense of achievement.”  Here she pays homage to Art Tatum, one of her most favorite pianists.  “Art Tatum’s music is timeless,” says Junko.  “His harmony, his improvisation…he will sound new eternally.”