Toshiko Akiyoshi
As an arranger, Toshiko Akiyoshi (influenced originally by Gil Evans and Thad Jones) has been particularly notable for incorporating elements of traditional Japanese music into her otherwise bop-ish charts. A strong (and underrated) pianist in the Bud Powell tradition, Akiyoshi was born in China but moved to Japan in 1946. She played locally (Sadao Watanabe was among her sidemen) and, after being noticed and encouraged by Oscar Peterson, studied at Berklee during 1956-1959. Married for a time to altoist Charlie Mariano, she co-led the Toshiko Mariano Quartet in the early '60s. After working with Charles Mingus in 1962 (including participating in his ill-fated Town Hall Concert), Toshiko returned to Japan for three years. Back in New York by 1965, she did a radio series and formed a quartet with her second husband, Lew Tabackin, in 1970. After moving to Los Angeles in 1972, Toshiko Akiyoshi put together her very impressive big band which featured such fine soloists as Bobby Shew, Gary Foster, and Tabackin. They recorded several notable albums before Akiyoshi decided, in 1981, to move to New York. Since their relocation, Akiyoshi and Tabackin have both been quite active although her re-formed big band has actually received less publicity than it did in L.A. She ranks as one of the top jazz arrangers of the past several decades.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Discography
13 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Toshiko Mariano Quartet (Remastered)
Toshiko Akiyoshi, Toshiko Mariano Quartet
Jazz - Released by Candid on Jan 1, 1961
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Toshiko Akiyoshi Recital
Bebop - Released by STUDIO SONGS on Mar 17, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
AKIYOSHI, T.: Let Freedom Swing
Toshiko Akiyoshi, Jorg Kaufmann, Andy Maile, SWR Big Band
Jazz - Released by SWR Classic on Jan 1, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Her Trio, Her Quartet
Jazz - Released by 1201 MUSIC on Jul 1, 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Toshiko-Mariano Quartet (Live at Birdland)
Toshiko Akiyoshi, Charlie Mariano
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on Apr 11, 1991
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Toshiko's Piano
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on Jan 1, 1954
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Toshiko Trio (Toshiko Akiyoshi)
Jazz - Released by 1201 MUSIC on Jun 14, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Maybeck Recital Series, Vol. 36
Jazz - Released by Concord Jazz on Jul 10, 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classic Encounters (feat. Reiko Honsho)
Jazz - Released by STUDIO SONGS on Oct 6, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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What Is This Thing Called Love
Jazz - Released by Transatlantica on May 19, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Country & Western Sound of Jazz Pianos
Jazz - Released by Dauntless Records on Aug 5, 1963
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo