Orbiturtle: Sakura
Featuring celebrated Japanese bassist Yoshio Suzuki, Sakura was recorded in the crisp serenity of the Yamanakako woods near Mt Fuji, surrounded by the last blooms of the cherry blossom season.
Released on Studio Songs Japan in July 2015, followed by tours of Japan and Australia.
“Steve Barry has a huge ability to design lines and follow through with ever perfect connections: chordal, melodic, arpeggiated, substitutions, extensions, polyrhythms, all there and all melding into an exquisite whole. Dave Jackson played with such a sweet and even tone, soft and supportive in the background or clear and stated in solos, always precise but not pushy, easily playing a simple solo line, then doubling and doubling again for flourishes, but again, carrying ideas through, always in easy control and with consistent tone. Chin sat at back, seemingly understated, but brilliantly melodic solos with lovely turnups to finish lines with clarity and some humour and always interesting walks. Interestingly, Chin is from the Suzuki method family (his uncle, I think) and the Suzuki awareness of musicality was evident. And Ko played richly varied drumming - sticks, brushes, a lovely gong that often finished several tunes - with impeccable underlying time that made this all sit with great poise.”
Liner notes by Mike Nock ONZM
This recording is the result of an agreement between Japanese drummer Ko Omura, Australian pianist Steve Barry and saxophonist Dave Jackson, to initiate a collaborative jazz project between both countries. Veteran Japanese bassist, Yoshio (Chin) Suzuki, well known for his support of younger musicians, was selected to be the fourth member of the ensemble. A bridging figure between generations, his long experience as leader of his own unit makes him the perfect anchorman for this group.
A truly democratic band, all four players have successfully merged their strong musical identities into the group dynamic, displaying great textural variety and thematic cohesion throughout. All four musicians share a deep knowledge and love for the jazz tradition, along with a conceptual curiosity and musical openness, which is strongly evident throughout this recording. Ko, Dave and Steve studied at Sydney Conservatorium of Music and have been developing their musical friendship and creative concepts for many years and have developed hugely as instrumentalists/composers since those early days. Its very encouraging to see them now staking their claims as leaders, both collectively and individually.
The quartet’s repertoire is full of interesting rhythmic and harmonic twists. Steve’s composition Sakura, an energetic 5/4 groove, sets a high standard for what is to come. Ko’s three pieces include Lonely Specs a lovely waltz and So Long, featuring solo piano before the main theme enters with an evocative minor third motif. There are two contrafacts from Dave, Pirouette and Into Stellar (no prizes for guessing this one) and four more well-crafted pieces from Steve, ending with Codaesque, a good-humoured bow to tradition.
This project came about from the commitment of these talented young musicians, whose passion and dedication to pursuing their chosen art form allows us to share their dream and is tangible evidence of the last decade’s increasing activity between the current generation of Japanese and Australian jazz musicians. I see this as a very welcome situation for both countries, with many positive results for musicians and fans alike.
orbit /ˈɔːbɪt/
1) the curved path of a celestial object or spacecraft round a star, planet, or moon, especially a periodic elliptical revolution. 2) an area of activity, interest, or influence.
turtle /ˈtɜː(r)t(ə)l/
Frequently depicted in popular culture as easygoing, patient, and wise creatures. Due to their long lifespan, slow movement, sturdiness, and wrinkled appearance, turtles are an emblem of longevity and stability in many cultures around the world.