MIYAZAWA, AKIRA

Akira Miyazawa’s 1962 debut masterpiece Yamame (山女魚) is a historic, shimmering milestone that arrived like a glint of movement beneath still water to help define the initial identity of Japanese jazz. Named after a species of native freshwater mountain trout, this record caught the master tenor saxophonist leading a premier session right as the Tokyo modern jazz scene began to transcend its American bop imitations. It is an exceptionally sophisticated, sharp, and evocative post-bop portrait that pairs deep, muscular hard-bop rhythms with a uniquely local, reflective lyricism.