CIRCLEPOINT 　　 　　KEI AKAGI, piano 　　SHUNYA WAKAI, bass 　　TAMAYA HONDA, drums 　　 　　Recorded by: Katsuhiko Naito and Yoshiaki Masuo at Kakinoki Studio, July 2014 　　Mixed by: Yoshiaki Masuo 　　Mastered by: Paul Carman 　　Graphic design: Marco Mancini 　　 　　KEI AKAGI – Circlepoint (Red Castle Music / Time & Style Jazz) 　　by Scott Yanow 　　 　　A major jazz pianist since the 1980s and an important educator, Kei Akagi recently released his first American recording in over 15 years. Circlepoint features his long-time trio performing nine of his challenging yet accessible originals, helping to move forward the evolution of the piano trio into the 21st century. Akagi’s distinctive playing and his stimulating interplay with his sidemen make this a major release. 　　 　　Circlepoint blends together the tradition of straight ahead jazz with the explorations of the avant-garde. His trio creates innovative music that is both unpredictable and ultimately logical. The opener “Wade Park Morning” is Akagi’s picturesque and thoughtful tribute to an area in Cleveland, Ohio where he grew up. “New Children’s Song III” is part of a series of compositions that are inspired by children from different cultures. Based on a five-note melody, this track is modern and very aggressive, with the theme being turned inside out in many different ways by the musicians. “Circlepoint” starts out fairly simple with close interplay by Akagi and bassist Wakai before it gradually becomes much more complex with a circular feeling to its rhythm. The pianist cooks for a stretch, with the bassist and drummer commenting musically on his playing instead of stating the beat. The one selection on the album not composed by Akagi is bassist Mark Egan’s “Three Way Mirror,” an atmospheric and lyrical jazz waltz that the pianist recorded early in his career with Airto Moreira and Joe Farrell. 　　 　　“Offsteps (For Sonship)” is a tribute to the late drummer Sonship Theus. “He was one of the greatest drummers I ever played with, a beautiful soul who grooved so hard.” Akagi plays over an asymmetrical bass pattern, spontaneously creating a steady stream of fresh and exciting ideas while keeping the rhythm in mind. “Shikakugai Katsudou” has an unusual name. “The full title in English is ‘Activities for Which You Are Not Qualified Under The Provisions of Your Non-Immigrant Visa.’ It strangely fits this tune, which does not follow any rules or norms about how things should go.” The performance constantly changes time signatures, the melody is unpredictable, and listeners can have fun guessing which sections are written out and which are improvised. 　　 　　“Since When” is a slow and melancholy ballad which serves to introduce the following selection “Twin Lakes,” noticeable for the free and contemplative playing of Akagi and Wakai. “Chasing A Whim” utilizes a five-note pattern before becoming a more complex rhythmic pattern that is often playful and unexpected. This adventurous piece is elusive both rhythmically and tonally. Circlepoint concludes with the quiet and peaceful “Wade Park Reprise,” a solo piece that brings back the theme from the first track of the album and creates a perfect ending to this memorable set of new music. 　　 　　(Scott Yanow, jazz journalist/historian has written 11 books including The Great Jazz Guitarists, and Jazz On Record 1917-76.) 　　……………………………………………………... 　　 　　Kei Akagi - born in Sendai, Japan - spent his childhood years in Cleveland, Ohio, where he trained at the Cleveland Music School Settlement, studying piano, theory, and music history. Returning to Japan in his early teens, he eventually studied philosophy and music composition at International Christian University in Tokyo. Upon graduation he was accepted as a graduate student in the Doctorate Program in Philosophy at the University of California, Santa Barbara. While pursuing his studies there, he also found time to compose and orchestrate music for the University jazz band, as well as performing locally in various bands. He turned to music as a full-time professional at the age of twenty-five. 　　 　　As a pianist and composer, Akagi has been a mainstay of the international jazz world for over three decades. Known for his work as a member of the Miles Davis band in the late 80’s, his career includes extended associations with major figures such as Stanley Turrentine, James Newton, Joe Farrell, Al DiMeola, and Airto Moreira. He has also performed or recorded with Art Pepper, Blue Mitchell, Freddie Hubbard, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Charnett Moffett, Tom Harrell, Bobby Shew, Eddie Harris, Slide Hampton, Steve Turre, Robin Eubanks, Jean-Luc Ponty, Allan Holdsworth, and others. 　　 　　As a solo artist and leader, Akagi has recorded 13 CD’s. As a sideman and accompanist, he is on over 60 CD’s worldwide, including Miles Davis’ last recorded works. 　　 　　He is also a Professor of Music at the University of California, Irvine, where he directs the jazz studies program, teaching jazz history, theory and composition, jazz piano, and performance. He is a recipient of the distinguished title of UC Irvine Chancellor’s Professor.