Tomoaki Motoyama - Incidentally 4

2026

"Incidentally 4" by Tomoaki Motoyama is the fourth installment in his fully improvised solo piano series and is being released on CD on the Nonoya label. The release brings together ten self-contained improvisations whose sequence forms a continuous whole, tracing the course of a day from morning to evening in sound.

Musically, Motoyama continues to rely on a finely tuned balance between free improvisation and melodic grounding; the new recordings also reveal an expanded sonic palette with subtle time modulation and atmospheric intervals. Defining influences such as Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, and Chick Corea remain audible without overshadowing the pianist’s own voice. The stripped-down presentation, reminiscent of ECM and Windham Hill aesthetics, underscores the intimate character of the recording.

Rooted in Sapporo and known both as a collaborator in projects like Cubic Zero and as the leader of the Two Books Trio, Tomoaki Motoyama deepens his exploration of spontaneous forms with "Incidentally 4." His working method is marked by a consistent search for nuance, finely differentiated dynamics, and a keen sense of formal development within free improvisation, giving the album both contemplative and surprising moments.