Nakai, Chiemi
Music Roots, 2019, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 25.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Latin
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score: 78
O’s Notes: Japanese composer and pianist Chiemi Nakai started her career playing classical piano before evolving to jazz and bebop under the tutelage of drummer Albert ïTootie’ Heath. She migrated to Latin jazz and salsa before moving to New York in 1998 where she rebuilt her career with formal (M.A. Performance at Queens College) and informal (clubbing) experience. She is well regarded as a Latin jazz musician in New York today and serves up her 3rd CD“Ascendant“with great fanfare. We love the calypso vibe on ‘I Will Meet You Again‘ and the funky title track as well. Chiemi adds an Afro-Latina vibe to ‘Monks Mood‘ making this session really pop.
Publicist: Chiemi Nakai