Toshiko Akiyoshi - Toshiko's Piano / Amazing Toshiko Akiyoshi / SHM-CD

Toshiko Akiyoshi was only 23 years old when Oscar Peterson heard her during a Jazz at the Philharmonic tour of Japan in 1953; he immediately went raving to impresario Norman Granz to implore him to record her. So Granz produced Akiyoshi's debut as a leader on a 10" disc (released as Amazing Toshiko Akiyoshi in Japan and as Toshiko's Piano elsewhere) with the Jazz at the Philharmonic rhythm section (guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer J.C. Heard).

This formidable debut was the start of a long and successful career, so Oscar Peterson deserves as much thanks as Norman Granz for introducing the jazz world at large to this phenomenal pianist, Toshiko Akiyoshi. AllMusicGuide

1    What Is This Thing Called Love? 2:45
2    Gone With The Wind 2:33
3    I Want To Be Happy 2:14
4    Toshiko's Blues 3:44
5    Shadrach 2:41
6    Solidado 3:29
7    Squatty Roo 2:38
8    Laura 3:27
9    Between Me And Myself 6:02
10    Blues For Toshiko 5:25
11    I'll Remember April 7:30
12    Lover 5:11

    Bass – Gene Cherico (tracks: 9 to 12), Ray Brown (tracks: 1 to 8)
    Drums – J.C. Heard (tracks: 1 to 8), Jake Hanna (tracks: 9 to 12)
    Guitar – Herb Ellis (tracks: 1 to 8)
    Piano – Toshiko Akiyoshi

Tracks 1 to 8 recorded November, 1953.
Tracks 9 to 12 recorded July 5, 1957 at Newport.

The first eight tracks are from Akiyoshi's first album "Toshiko's Piano" from 1954. Tracks 9 to 12 are taken from the album "Toshiko and Leon Sash at Newport", originally released in 1957.