Discovered by
Oscar Peterson during a Jazz at the Philharmonic tour of Japan,
Toshiko Akiyoshi's first recording in the U.S. didn't take place until 1954, though she recorded in Japan for
Norman Granz's Norgran label prior to this trio session. Joined by drummer
Ed Thigpen, and the young bassist
Paul Chambers, the 24-year-old pianist is already an impressive player. This date for
George Wein's Storyville label focuses mostly on her originals, which include the dreamy ballad "Kyo-Shu (Nostalgia)," and the intricate bop vehicle "Homework." The two standards include a
Bud Powell-influenced arrangement of "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise," and a superb, lush "It Could Happen to You." Long out of print, this highly recommended LP was reissued on vinyl by both Black Lion in Europe and Trio in Japan during the 1970s, but it evidently has not yet appeared on CD. ~ Ken Dryden