Tsuruga, Akiko
18th & Vine, 2009, CD
Instrument: Piano
Issue: 15.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Kool
Performance: 3
Sound: 3
Score: 
O’s Notes: This is our second review of Akiko Tsuruga. She plays the B3 and makes it speak! Her band includes Eric Johnson (g), Rudy Petschauer (d), Jerry Weldon (sax) and percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel. The program is eleven tunes including four originals. The common theme is intensity, fueled by Tsuruga on the Hammond especially on her own tunes like “Magic E”. The covers are milder giving listeners a breather. We preferred the heat. Akiko now lives in New York and is making waves on the jazz scene. She is worth checking out.
Publicist: Allegro
