Jazz / Instrumental Pop, Crossover Jazz
Recorded April 26, 28, 1977 in Los Angeles & June 25, 28,1977 in Tokyo
Sadao Watanabe - Flute, Sopranino, Sax (Alto)
Chuck Rainey - Bass, Bass (Electric)
Dave Grusin - Piano, Fender Rhodes
Eiko Ishioka Design
Harvey Mason, Sr. Drums
Hiroshi Fukumura Trombone
Kiyoski Itoh Producer
Lee Ritenour Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar
Matt Hyde Engineer
Motoko Naruse Design
Rick Moody Assistant Engineer
Steve Forman Conga, Percussion
Tom Nishida Production Coordination
Toshinari Koinuma Executive Producer
Yoshikane Okada Remixing
Yukio Morisaki 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 |
