Toshiko's Piano

Toshiko's Piano (released as Amazing Toshiko Akiyoshi in Japan) is the debut recording of jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi. It was recorded in Japan in 1953 with guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown and drummer J.C. Heard, who were known at the time for their work as pianist Oscar Peterson's rhythm section for Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts. The album was released as a 10 inch LP album on Norman Granz's Norgran Record label. Later 12 inch LP and (Japanese) CD re-issues also include all 4 Akiyoshi tracks from 1957's Verve Records recording, Toshiko and Leon Sash at Newport. The cover artwork is by David Stone Martin.

Track listing

LP side A

1. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" (Porter) – 2:45
2. "Gone with the Wind" (Wrubel, Magidson) – 2:33
3. "I Want to Be Happy" (Youmans, Caesar) – 2:14
4. "Toshiko's Blues" (Akiyoshi) – 3:44

LP side B

1. "Shadrach" (MacGimsey) – 2:41
2. "Solidado" (Akiyoshi) – 3:29
3. "Squatty Roo" (Hodges) – 2:38
4. "Laura" (Raksin, Mercer) – 3:27

Additional four bonus tracks on later 12 inch LP and CD re-issues (from 1957 live recording, Toshiko...at Newport):

9. "Between Me and Myself" (Akiyoshi) – 5:38
10. "Blues for Toshiko" (Akiyoshi) – 5:38
11. "I'll Remember April" (Raye, DePaul, Johnston) – 7:05
12. "Lover" (Rodgers, Hart) – 5:45

Personnel

Tracks 1~8 (A1~B4 of original 10 inch LP)

• Toshiko Akiyoshi – piano
• Herb Ellis – guitar
• Ray Brown – bass
• J. C. Heard – drums

Tracks 9~12

• Toshiko Akiyoshi – piano
• Gene Cherico – bass
• Jake Hanna – drums

References

• Norgran MGN-22
• Universal (J) UCCV 9050
• Verve Japan MI3005

External links

• Verve Records Discography Project

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