Miho Hazama - m_unit: Beyond Orbits

October 2, 2023

Label: Edition Records, 2023

Personnel - Miho Hazama: composition (except #6), conduction; Steve Wilson: alto and soprano sax, flute; Jeremy Powell: tenor sax, clarinet (#1, 3-5); Jason Rigby: tenor sax, clarinet (#2, 6-8); Andrew Gutauskas: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Jonathan Powell: trumpet, flugelhorn; Adam Unsworth: French horn; Tomoko Akaboshi: violin; Ben Russell: violin; Atsuki Yoshida: viola; Meaghan Burke: cello; James Shipp: vibraphone; Billy Test: piano; Sam Anning: bass (except #3); Jake Goldbas: drums.
Guests - Christian McBride: bass (#3); Immanuel Wilkins: alto sax (#8).

The immensely talented Tokyo-born composer and conductor, Miho Hazama, has been carving out a niche among big band enthusiasts with her remarkable project, m_unit. Following the wide acclaim received in 2018 with Dancer in Nowhere, she now presents a follow-up titled Beyond Orbits. The fresh compositions in this album propel musical narratives forward by weaving spellbinding layers of sound. In addition to the motivation related to the ensemble’s 10th anniversary, the inspiration for this album came from exoplanets (planets beyond our solar system).

This new spectacular offering begins with “Abeam”, an immensely rich cut where the entire band plays around constantly shifting meters with dazzling precision. The listener can savor a blend of progressive and classic flavors with Latin and swing jazz affiliations. Each of the chosen soloists - pianist Billy Test, who puts his impeccable language at the service of the music; trumpeter Jonathan Powell, who hits earth and sky with articulated designs; and drummer Jake Goldbas, who extemporizes over a Latin-infused vamp - contribute their unique brilliance.

“A Monk in Ascending and Descending” is a ballad that, in the initial stage, puts trombone and strings in the spotlight. The 5/4 time changes, and saxophonist Jason Rigby blows with intensity over a waltzing cadence. Leavened with the beat bounce of the drummer, the piece gains a hip-hop feel, further enhanced by the nimble, cool mallet work of vibraphonist James Shipp.

The orchestral audacity continues with the three-movement Exoplanet Suite. The first part, Elliptical Orbit, guests the masterful bassist Christian McBride, whose extraordinary odd-metered groove and swinging vibrancy contribute to the epic swagger. The second part, Three Sunlights, takes on a balladic fantasy infused with mystery and magic. And the part three, Planet Nine, driven by a stirring drumbeat, seamlessly integrates post-bop, fusion, and soul jazz elements.

Concluding the journey is “From Life Comes Beauty”, a temperate, graciously configured piece elevated by the soloing adroitness of guest altoist Immanuel Wilkins. But before this, “Can’t Hide Love”, a R&B hit penned by Skip Scarborough and popularized by Carmen McRae and Earth, Wind & Fire, brings out a contagious Brazilian rhythm and a robust baritone solo by Andrew Gutauskas.
Beyond Orbits is nothing short of startling in its dynamics, and confirms Hazama as an adept composer and arranger.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Abeam ► 03 - Exoplanet Suite: I. Elliptical Orbit ► 05 - Exoplanet Suite: III. Planet Nine

Miho Hazama - Imaginary Visions

September 20, 2021

Label: Edition Records, 2021

Personnel - Miho Hazama: composition, conduction + Danish Radio Big Band (soloists) - Karl-Martin Almqvist: tenor saxophone; Hans Ulrik: tenor saxophone; Peter Fuglsang: alto saxophone; Anders Gaardmand: baritone saxophone; Mads la Cour: trumpet, flugelhorn; Mårten Lundgren: trumpet; Petter Hängsel: trombone; Peter Dahlgren: trombone; Nicolai Schultz: flute; Henrik Gunde piano; Per Gade guitar; Kaspar Vadsholt: double bass; Søren Frost: drums.

A phenomenal presence in the orchestral world of modern jazz, Tokyo-born New York-based Miho Hazama composes and arranges with insight and extremely good taste. Her incredible talent, which got her a Grammy nomination with the chamber ensemble m_unit, is again on display throughout this new album recorded with the acclaimed Danish Radio Big Band, and whose program consists of seven tracks that shift from one colorful mode to the next.

Hazama was invited to join the cited European Big Band as a chief conductor, following the steps of trumpeter Thad Jones, trombonist Bob Brookmeyer and pianist Jim McNeely, and she actually takes the ensemble into a new gleam. The sumptuous arrangement and deft execution of the opener “I Said Cool, You Said…What?”, which is directly related to the invitation, immediately confirms that as it shines with a venturous 13/8 meter signature, a melodic swirl that challenges and charms, and central statements by Nicolai Schultz on flute, Henrik Gunde on piano and guitarist Per Gade, who scorches the scenario with fuzz chops.

Serene but with a feel-good posture, “Your Scenery Story” probes different signature meters, presenting individual manifestations from trumpet and saxophone as well as impeccably layered collective passages.

“Mingle-Mangle Goody Bag” swings lavishly with a Mingus-like vibe, becoming affiliated with the melodic contours à-la Henry Mancini displayed on the thoroughly simpatico “Mimi’s March”. In the latter, we have some gravitational trombone waves and meaty lines fleshed out by Anders Gaardmand's baritone sax, but the beginning seems to join the traits of a small rock group with a jazz big band, while grooving aplomb.

The galvanizing “On That Side” opens with a bass solo before establishing an urgent, vigorous forward motion in 7/8 tempo. Adapting to the musical contexts suggested, the band embarks on captivating explorations of sound and texture as well as improvisations that develop with extemporary freedom. The album concludes by balancing lush orchestration with some balladic pop undercurrents on “Green”.

With an extraordinary amount of clarity and virtuosity, this recording provides both punchy and sensitive moments that will make it stand the test of time.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - I Said Cool, You Said…What? ► 05 - Mimi’s March ► 06 - On That Side

Miho Hazama - Dancer in Nowhere

February 6, 2019

Label: Sunnyside, 2019

Personnel includes: Miho Hazama: composition, conduction; Steve Wilson: alto saxophone; Jason Rigby: tenor saxophone; Andrew Gutauskas: baritone saxophone; Atsuki Yoshida: viola; Ryoji Ihara: saxophone; Jonathan Powell: trumpet; Lionel Loueke: guitar; James Shipp: vibraphone; Billy Test: piano; Kavita Shah: vocals; Sam Anning: bass; Jake Goldbas: drums; Nate Wood: drums; and more.

Despite her young age, the classically trained, Tokyo-born Miho Hazama is an accomplished conductor/composer who has so much to give to the contemporary jazz universe. Dancer in Nowhere is her third release with the m_unit, her highly qualified 13-piece signature ensemble.

The comprehensive music includes several stylistic influences combined within lush arrangements, with the eight tracks unveiling intricacy in the composition and sagacity in the form. The collective navigates odd meters and lays down churning rhythms with ardent dedication, starting with the graceful "Today, Not Today", whose syncopated and asymmetric course whisks us away to uplifting orchestrated sections. The muted trumpet of Jonathan Powell, who begins slowly and ends feverishly, and the vibraphone of James Shipp, backed by stringed ostinatos and woodwind melodies, are the free voices here.

Bassist Sam Anning starts “The Cyclic Number” with a solitary act, plucking vigorously and adding stylish slides before putting up a shimmering groove in four, ofttimes interrupted by passages of a different order. Sometimes, those passages allude to a slippery crossover jazz like happened during the statements of Atsuki Yoshida and Ryoji Ihara on viola and saxophone, respectively. The closing vamp brings drummer Jake Goldbas to the forefront.

Vocalist Kavita Shah gives meaning to the celestial chamber texture of “Somnambulant”, a piece that sparkles with improvisations by tenor saxist Jason Rigby and guest guitarist Lionel Loueke, who adjust to distinct contexts. The latter, in possession of a delay-drenched sound, concentrates his efforts in the blues-rock idiom.

Capable of waking us up from any sleepwalking trance, “Il Paradiso Del Blues” leans heavily on the off-the-cuff roller-coaster rides of altoist Steve Wilson, who is given more than one opportunity to shine. If he blows the saxophone with fiery energy over a hard-swinging motion, then baritonist Andrew Gutauskas unleashes sultry lines as the Latin rhythms invade the scenario.

Whereas the brashly charming “Magyar Dance” manifests dynamic shifts in tempo, there’s contrapuntal clapping on “Olympic Fanfare and Theme”, penned by John Williams for the 1984 Olympic Games. Some of his motives can be heard on the tune, which, being the shortest in time, features seven soloists.

The session terminates with the title track, where a breezy post-bop in seven bumps into contemporary classical elements and serpentine melodies reminiscent of the Middle East. It is supplemented with solos full of flavor by Rigby on tenor and the illustrious guest Nate Wood on drums.

Motivated by a globalist outlook in music, Ms. Hazama has crafted a collection of tunes whose mature frameworks secure layers of dynamism, all splashed with strong-hued solid colors.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - Today, Not Today ► 05 - Il Paradiso Del Blues ► 08 - Dancer in Nowhere