Satoko Fujii’s latest album in celebration of 3 score years on earth is a big band tribute to Japanese cross-country skier Masaya Kimura. The six piece salute features a four member sax section, trumpet section and trombones, along with Toshiki Nagata/b and Akira Horikoshi/dr.
The themes range from a 17 minute “Farewell” that is filled with swaying strings and sighing horns, as if a breeze was blowing through them like chimes. Tentative horns popping along with jabbing sections make up “Amadare” and some big punches land hard for “Kikoeru” with even some voices joining in like Tibetan monks for “A Dadada.” Intuitive thoughts tied together like ski bindings.