Japanese pianist and composer Taeko Kunishima is currently based in the UK. Since starting her piano studies at the age of seven with Mozart and Beethoven, Kunishima has studied Romantic, Impressionist and modern composers, plus jazz (via an interest in Miles Davis) and traditional Japanese music. Her debut album as bandleader was Space To Be in 2004 (33Jazz). Now she launches her latest CD, Red Dragonfly, on the 33Jazz label. Red Dragonfly features Russell van den Berg(saxophones), Jim Hart (drums), Richard Pryce (double bass), and guest star Clive Bell on shakuhachi (Japanese traditional flute). The compositions are all by Kunishima herself, with influences ranging from Takemitsu to Bach, and from Debussy to Monk.

Following the release of Red Dragonfly, I received favourable reviews, and the band had a warm reception at our live performances, including the Isle Of Wight International Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival, and the Vortex Jazz Club. I recently completed a UK tour (autumn 2006) with the help of Jazz Services.

Red Dragonfly: “Taeko Kunishima's artistry evolves with this new set; she proves herself one of the more interesting new voices in jazz with Red Dragonfly” (Dan McClenaghan, All About Jazz).

“Taeko Kunishima has clearly thoroughly assimilated, rather than simply dipped into, her varied sources, and the result is an absorbing mix of affectingly melancholic themes with more up-tempo quartet workouts from a punchy, fiercely interactive, cohesive band that promises to deliver in spades in live performance” (Chris Parker, Vortex).

“The pianist’s dynamic action is very fresh – the wild tenor sax is based on Coltrane’s early style, and the wild shakuhachi played with dignity and soulfulness – all together they make a colourful, tasty and attractive result. This is a fine quality achievement with plenty of originality” (Catfish Records, Japan).

“Kunishima has utilised her Japanese heritage in her music, and the presence of Clive Bell on shakuhachi on some tracks serves to emphasise this. On “Ink-Black Night” his work has the effect of taking the music far beyond common ground, an impression that's aided in no small part by the fact that Kunishima as a composer doesn't employ too much of the harmonic density that many musicians seem to regard as compulsory these days” (Nic Jones, All About Jazz).

Space To Be: “Florid lyricism alternating with passages of robust jazz improvisation to produce an intriguingly varied music” (Chris Parker, Vortex).

“Kunishima's jazz compositions lean toward lyricism and delicacy, catchy melodies and occasional driving grooves....adding a touch of the exotic to the jazz sound” (All About Jazz).