Trio Sacd Japan

Shigeko Toya was considered a rising star in jazz singing when she made this debut album for the Three Blind Mice label in 1972. Classically trained pianist, she had taken voice lessons and developed her unique, soulful style. Unfortunately for her fans, she made only albums before getting married and retiring completely.

Hideo Ichikawa (piano), Ikuo Sakurai (bass) and Masahiko Togashi (drums) comprise the Spirits Trio, performing pop and jazz standards of the '40s era, plus a few original compositions…

Stefano Bollani began studying the piano at the age of six and started his professional career at the age of fifteen. After graduating from the Conservatory Luigi Cherubini in Florence in 1993 he began appearing in many of the world’s most important concert venues. Currently he has published 43 albums alone (29 studio) and has collaborated extensively with other artists. Japanese label Venus Records released four albums by the “Stefano Bollani Trio” formed with Ares Tavolazzi on contrabass and Walter Paoli on drums. On Falando De Amor he's trio performed the music Of Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Multiple Grammy nominee John Di Martino–composer, arranger, pianist–has recorded many albums for Venus Records with his Romantic Jazz Trio. Noted for his versatility, John has performed and recorded with such notables as Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Joe Lovano, David "Fat Head" Newman, Pat Martino, Paquito D'Rivera and Houston Person. John has been described as a "shape-shifter", for his creativity across musical genres. Here the trio devotes an entire album to jazzing up music by the classical composer W.A. Mozart.

Sometimes it takes extremely talented and worthy musicians a long time before releasing an album in which they lead. Some of the musicians never do. Luckily, Aaron Heick got together with the Japanese label Venus Records to release his first album under his own moniker. Easily one of the best modern alto saxophonists in the United States, Heick has performed and recorded with stars such as Chaka Khan, Barbra Streisand, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, and Richard Bona. In this one-horn quartet setting with the extraordinary John di Martino and his Romantic Jazz Trio, Heick shows his phenomenal technique, solid sound, and emotionally charged soulfulness.

Stefano Bollani is an artist of ebullient virtuosity, with uncommon sensitivity and range. The Italian pianist has proved to be at home on ECM improvising solo or leading a trio, as well as engaging in duos with Enrico Rava and Chick Corea. This album features Jazz reinterpretations of TEN popular Italian songs.

"Standards Live" is a live jazz album released by the Keith Jarrett trio in 1986. Originally released by ECM, it has been multiply re-issued. The album presents a performance of pianist Keith Jarrett with Gary Peacock on double bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums, recorded on July 2, 1985 in Paris, at the Palais des Congrès Studios de la Grande Armée, the second of a two-night engagement at that venue.

Outside of the New York music scene, multi-instrumentalist Aaron Heick's name may not be as well known as some of his colleagues. But it doesn't matter; he's had a rich, varied career. This well-traveled, seasoned pro has played with some of the most prominent musicians in jazz, pop, reggae, funk, world, and classical music. Those who really know what's going on in music know him.

Through his numerous releases from Venus Records, Eddie Higgins has firmly established his position as one of the most celebrated veteran jazz pianists in Japan. On I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me he is joined with Kevin Eubanks and Rufus Reid for 12 songs of romance.

Multiple Grammy nominee John Di Martino - composer, arranger, pianist - has recorded many albums for Venus Records with his Romantic Jazz Trio. Noted for his versatility, John has performed and recorded with such notables as Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Joe Lovano, David "Fat Head" Newman, Pat Martino, Paquito D'Rivera and Houston Person. John has been described as a "shape-shifter", for his creativity across musical genres. Here the trio devotes an entire album to jazzing up music by the classical composer Frederic Chopin.