Songs We Love by Atsuko Hashimoto Organ Trio and Voices

She has played with jazz greats before large audiences, her joy in music, sense of play and abundant personal warmth shining through her mastery of the idiom while exercising the full range of voices and dynamics available to the Hammond/Leslie combo. Born in Osaka, Atsuko discovered a fascination for the organ at the early age of four. She began to explore the B3 starting with popular songs and cutting her teeth on such jazz classics as Duke Ellington's Take the A Train. She studied classical music for several years before choosing to dedicate herself to jazz music and the jazz organ. At age 18 she started working for Hammond Japan, giving live organ demonstrations and instructing as a Hammond-certified teacher. She quickly developed a reputation for her skills at the B3, creating complex melodic and harmonic compositions over a consistent, inventive and hard-swinging bass-line. In 1992 she fronted her own quartet at the Osaka Jazz Festival and Naniwa Arts Festival, exposing her musicianship to a wider audience. "One of the best organ players I have ever heard. Her playing is electrifying." --Harvey Thompson, jazz singer In spring of 1999 she debuted in the US, playing at clubs in New Orleans and then in San Jose at the invitation of Peter Fallico, known for his long-running Doodlin' Lounge jazz organ program on KUSP radio, Santa Cruz, California. In fall, Atsuko returned to play the historic Pearls club in San Francisco, where she performed with guitarist Bruce Forman's group. That year she released her first CD, Jazz Organ Tribute. Atsuko returned to California two years later, performing to high acclaim at the San Jose Jazz Festival and playing such well-known clubs as The Baked Potato in Los Angeles, Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz and Keton in San Jose. Established masters of the Hammond organ have embraced Atsuko as one of their own. In early 2000 she shared the stage with Brother Jack McDuff and his band on tour in Japan, and in September appeared with Dr. Lonnie Smith at Blue Note, Osaka in a date also featuring guitarist Randy Johnson and drummer Fukushi Tainaka. Atsuko cut another CD in 2003, Full Organ, with a trio featuring guitarist Yutaka Hashimoto and drummer Jimmy Smith. In 2005, Atsuko released Songs We Love that succeeds in capturing the magic of her live performances with husband and long-time collaborator Yutaka Hashimoto, drummer Juasa Kano, and featuring singers Harvey Thompson, Tony Scruggs and Elijah Levi. At the 40th Naniwa Arts Festival in 2003, Atsuko received several awards for her outstanding achievements in music including the Shoji Nakayama Jazz Award, the Progressive Musician's Prize, and Awards from the Osaka Governor and Mayor. She currently maintains a busy schedule performing and teaching in metropolitan Osaka. Her weekly gig at Ragtime, Osaka is popular with musicians as well as listeners. Visiting jazz players frequently sit in with her trio to make music with one of the most exciting improvisors on the jazz organ today.

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