The acclaimed Japanese pianist, composer, and improviser discusses her incredibly prolific output, redefining jazz as a spirit rather than a style, and her recent recordings with the quartet Kaze and the Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio.
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Today, the Spotlight shines On pianist and composer Satoko Fujii, an incredibly unique and prolific artist.
Satoko works at the intersection of jazz, contemporary classical, rock, and traditional Japanese music, composing for ensembles of many sizes and configurations. However, she is especially adept with the jazz orchestra format. For all of her efforts, Satoko is widely decorated as an improviser, composer, arranger, and band leader.
Satoko has released over 100 albums as leader or co-leader, at a clip of several each year. Music seems to tumble out of her.
The discussion you are about to hear was recorded back in late March of this year. Satoko was a thoughtful and generous conversationalist and provided insight into her creative and production process and her evolution as an artist. She also shared a bit about the unique challenge of making a life as an artist in Japan.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from the albums Jet Black by the Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio and Unwritten by the quartet Kaze, also featuring Satoko Fujii)
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0:00 Introduction to Satoko Fujii
1:37 Recording techniques and live performances
5:56 Satoko's prolific output and creative process
8:00 Approach to composition and projects
9:32 Transitioning from classical to jazz
16:52 Jazz spirit and genre boundaries
22:37 The Japanese jazz scene and audience
27:25 Government support for arts in Japan
31:53 Living and working in different countries
33:58 Daily composition practice
35:32 Ensemble dynamics and musical "societies"
40:49 Composition process for different ensembles
41:31 Continuing to learn and grow as a musician
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Visit Satoko Fujii at → https://satokofujii.com/wp_site
Purchase Unwritten by Kaze (featuring Satoko Fujii) on Qobuz → https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/unwritten-kaze/rluxi6bh2vfwb
or Bandcamp → https://satokofujii.bandcamp.com/album/unwritten
and listen on your streaming platform of choice → https://album.link/i/1728164490
Purchase the Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio's Jet Black on Bandcamp → https://satokofujii.bandcamp.com/album/jet-black
and listen on Apple Music → https://music.apple.com/us/album/jet-black/1728166908
Follow Satoko Fujii on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/satokofujii2020
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/satokofujiipage
Twitter (X) → https://twitter.com/satokofujii
and YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsafGoCIQGtbEgQKO3OEw_Q
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