Jazz / Instrumental Pop, Fusion, Crossover Jazz
Recorded March1979 in New York
Sadao Watanabe - Sopranino, Design, Sax (Alto), Flute
Akira Taguchi Producer
Al Brown Viola
Alan Rubin Trumpet
Barry Finclair Violin
Bradshaw Leigh Assistant Engineer
Charles Libove Violin
Charles McCracken Cello
Dave Grusin Fender Rhodes, Piano, Conductor, Percussion, Arranger
David Nadien Violin, Concert Master
Diana Halprin Violin
Eric Gale Guitar (Electric)
Francisco Centeno Bass (Electric)
George Young Sax (Alto)
Harry Cykman Violin
Harry Lookofsky Violin
Herbert Sorkin Violin
Jeff Mironov Guitar (Electric)
Jim Boyer Remixing, Engineer
Kaoru Watanabe Design
Kazumi Kurigami Photography
Kiki Miyake Production Coordination
Kiyoski Itoh Producer
Lamar Alsop Viola
Marvin Morgenstern Violin
Marvin Stamm Trumpet
Max Ellen Violin
Michael Brecker Sax (Tenor)
Richard Locker Cello
Richard Sortomme Violin
Ronnie Cuber Sax (Baritone)
Rubens Bassini Conga, Percussion
Steve Gadd Drums
Theodore Israel Viola
Tony Studd Trombone
Yukio Morisaki Assistant Producer
Sadao Watanabe
Active Decades: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s and '00s
Born: Feb 01, 1933 in Utsunomiya, Japan
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Bop, Crossover Jazz, Fusion, Instrumental Pop, Jazz-Pop, Neo-Bop
Sadao Watanabe has long had a split musical personality. He alternates excellent bebop dates with pop albums. Watanabe learned clarinet and alto in high school, and in the 1950s he moved to Tokyo, joining Toshiko Akiyoshi's bop-oriented group in 1953. When the pianist moved to the U.S. in 1956, Watanabe took over the band. He attended Berklee during 1962-1965 and had the opportunity to work with Gary McFarland, Chico Hamilton, and Gabor Szabo. However, throughout his career Watanabe has remained mostly based in Japan, where he is a major influence on younger players. He has recorded steadily through the years, most notably with Chick Corea in New York (1970) and with the Galaxy All-Stars (1978). Watanabe's bop records are inspired by Charlie Parker, and his pop dates by Brazilian-flavored music.
---Scott Yanow and Thom Jurek, All Music Guide |
