“A former jazz piano prodigy in her native Japan (she transcribed Bud Powell solos at the age of five and was performing regularly at Tokyo jazz clubs by 12), Ayako Shirasaki has been making a name for herself in recent years on the New York scene. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Kenny Barron and Ted Rosenthal, among others, she’s appeared at most of the city’s major clubs and played with top mainstream talent like Lewis Nash, Kenny Garrett and Harold Ousley.

On her latest release, the solo piano disc Falling Leaves, recorded last year before an appreciative audience at a Hamburg concert hall, Shirasaki mixes superb classically-based technique, advanced harmonic ideas and a rich, creative musical imagination. While much of her bebop-rooted program draws on standards and well-known jazz fare, she imbues every song she plays with a deeply personal, poetic touch that favorably recalls sophisticated piano masters like Tommy Flanagan and Hank Jones.

She begins Charlie Parker’s “Confirmation”, for example, with an abstract, nearly unrecognizable intro before diving into the familiar Bird refrain. On Sonny Rollins’ “Airegin”, she blends in classical flourishes and even a surprising touch of stride. She also pays tribute to the great bebop pianist Barry Harris with a rousing rendition of his “Nascimento”, a crowdpleasing samba complete with rhythmic handclaps. The three original compositions she includes here also show enormous promise and range, from the spunky, Monk-influenced “Monkey Punch” to the dreamy, sophisticated “Far Away”.

Shirasaki has a refreshing sense of humor, too. Taking audience requests for her encores, she admits she hasn’t played “Moonglow” for 20 years and “My Romance” for 5 years, then turns around and knocks out moving, inventive, bravura performances of the two old chestnuts. And she closes the album on an improvisational high, merging Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five” and Rollins’ “St. Thomas” in an unlikely and exhilarating impromptu medley, played in 5/4 time. It’s a thrilling ending to a highly enjoyable album by a new jazz star in the making.”

Listen here: Ayako_Shirasaki_pronunciation.mp3

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Click here to get the link to the video of her performance.

Recent press reviews: “Jazz improvisation at the highest level. World class.” - Jazzthetik, German Jazz Magazine // “Ayako Shirasaki transforms the beauty solo piano with superb technique and unquestioned talent…” - ejazznews.com

Newsletter subscribers have the chance to win 1 out of 3 CD’s. So if you haven’t done so yet, subscribe to Ayako’s free newsletter at www.ayakoshirasaki.com to be among the winners. Regardless where in the world you are, free shipping is included. Winners will be drawn and announced in the newsletter on September 7, 2010.

Shirasaki has been sharing her dramatic improvisational approach with listeners worldwide for the past 10 years, “Falling Leaves - Live in Hamburg” is her 4th album.

The CD has been recorded on October 17, 2009 at the Laeiszhalle Hamburg. The German Jazz Magazine Jazzthetik had this to say about her 2009 tour: “World class. Jazz improvisation at the highest level.”

Liner Notes by Marc Myers who writes JazzWax.com, a daily blog that features interviews with jazz legends and commentary on legendary jazz recordings. He also writes on jazz for the Wall Street Journal.

“Ayako Shirasaki plays with the breeze in her hands, delivering sweeping interpretations with cunning confidence that would make Bud Powell proud.”

The album features a mix of jazz classics as well as songs newly-written by Ayako:

1 - Confirmation - Charlie Parker
2 - In a sentimental mood - Duke Ellington
3 - Airegin - Sonny Rollins
4 - Mirror Mirror - Corea

Four Seasons Medley
5 - Sakura Sakura - Japanese Traditional
6 - Summertime - George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
7 - Falling Leaves - Ayako Shirasaki
8 - Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson

9 - Monkey Punch - Ayako Shirasaki
10 - Far Away - Ayako Shirasaki
11 - Nascimento - Barry Doyle Harris

Encore Request Medley 1
12 - Moonglow - Irving Mills, W Hudson
13 - My Romance - Richard Rodgers

Encore Request Medley 2
14 - Take Five - Paul Desmond
15 - St. Thomas - Sonny Rollins

Listen to audio samples available now on amazon.com.

Radio add date: September 7, 2010

September 15th, 2010, NY, USA - Smalls Jazz Club

- CD release party for “Falling Leaves - Live in Hamburg”

With one of the most prominent German percussion experts and specialists, Pitti Hecht, the pianist offers a new duo-event, which is dedicated to Salsa, Latin, Contemporary World Music and Jazz. Pitti performed with international stars such as Chick Corea, Randy Crawford, Dianne Reeves, as well as German heros as Paul Kuhn, Roger Cicero or the Scorpions.
As an endorser, he represents global companies such as percussion manufacturers “Latin Percussion” on fairs such as the NAMM Show Los Angeles or Frankfurt Music Fair, and is a specialist author in major German magazines for percussion instruments. He is “Percussion World Record Holder” and plays regularly at eye level with hip Percussion international experts such as Nippy Noya, Alex Acuna and Raul Rekow (Santana).

The Braunschweiger Zeitung writes about the first gig of the duo:
“Mathias Claus on the jazz piano with his melodies, which impressed musically and technically and explored the whole range of his instrument. Their virtuosity and pace left no foot standing still, so that already after the second piece calls of enthusiasm from the audience were heard. During the evening, the percussionist convinced consistently as accompanist and soloist, either on congas or only a rattle-egg.”

Instruments:
Mathias Claus - Jazzpiano
PiTTi Hecht - Cajon, Congas, Djembe and Small Percussion.

Repertoire:
The repertoire includes virtuosic compositions by Chick Corea to Michel Camilo, known Salsa and Latin classics such as Manteca and A Night in Tunisia, as well as
original compositions, traditional adaptions of evergreens such as Danny Boy or Guantanamera in World Music style, and of course percussion solo performances.

Press:
“Pitti Hecht is one of the most booked percussionists and drummers in Europe - His versatility seems limitless … “(quote Volker Schulz, NDR).
Mathias Claus, “One of Germany’s topnotch jazz pianists…” (jazzreview.com, USA)

#1: 4-song medley from jazz piano trio gig at Jazzclub im Stellwerk, Hamburg, Germany recorded on the 16th October 2009.

Like Hiromi, Tokyo native Ayako Shirasaki (who currently resides in New York) was a classically trained prodigy who discovered jazz early (influences include Bud Powell and Art Tatum) and was soon amassing awards. Often playing with grand orchestral flourishes , she’s been praised for her intricate harmonies, strong melodic sense and powerfully rhythmic approach to piano. She has released two CDs, Existence and Home Alone.

Jeff Tamarkin about Ayako Shirasaki in JazzTimes, Feb. 2010, page 40.

Click here to go to JazzTimes official website to read an excerpt of the original article “The Education of Hiromi”

Capella de la Torre, conductor Catherine Bäuml
Mathias Claus - Jazz Piano
PiTTi Hecht - Percussions

Brunswick City Market, in the old town hall, Dornse
Friday 5 MARCH 2010, 7.30 pm

Renaissance meets Jazz - innovation and improvisation in music. An unusual way for early-music ensembles: Old and new are linked together in a breathtaking way, Renaissance sounds meet the jazz beats of Keith Jarrett and the drive of the South American Latin percussion.  In concert sound works by Falconieri, Arbeau, Milan, Susato, from the Cancionero de Palacio and Mathias Claus can be heard.

Cast Capella de la Torre:
Mathias Claus, Jazz Piano and PiTTi Hecht, percussions
William Dongois, zinc
Birgit Bahr, Pommer
Detlef Reimers, trombone
Annette Hils, Bassdulzian
Catherine Bäuml, shawm, bombard and management

Tickets to 18 / 13 Euro plus fees at all known ticket agencies and hotline 01805 - 331,111, or http://www.eventim.de