Junko Onishi - Musical Moments (2009)

Japanese jazz pianist Junko Onishi burst onto the scene in 1993 with her awe-inspiring debut CD. She performed with Jackie McLean, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter and Freddie Hubbard, and played in all major jazz festivals in the world. She won all conceivable jazz awards in Japan, and even became the first Japanese jazz musician to headline at the famed Village Vanguard in New York. Then, suddenly, in 1999, she disappeared from the scene for undisclosed reasons.
After a long hiatus, Onishi began playing in jazz clubs in Tokyo several years ago, and now, finally, we have in our hands her first recording in ten years. This is certainly the most highly anticipated jazz CD to be released in Japan this year, and it does not disappoint.
With bassist Yosuke Inoue and drummer Gene Jackson, Onishi proves that she not only maintained her chops, strong touch and fierce creativity, but also matured as a musician. Interestingly, the six trio cuts consist of three compositions each by Onishi herself and Eric Dolphy. These intense and powerful performances are punctuated by three solo piano performances of standards ("I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues," "Ill Wind" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes") which are more pensive in nature. To top it off, the disc contains a bonus track, a fiery live performance with her old friends Reginald Veal and Herlin Riley, a three-song medley that extends to more than 16 minutes!
For her long-time fans like me, this is a cause for celebration. If you didn't know Junko Onishi before, prepared to be blown away! Recommended for fans of cutting-edge piano jazz!