A native of Japan, Composer/Arranger/Conductor Chie Imaizumi has been named "The Rocky Mountain Jazz Artist of the Year", her piece "Adversity" has won Second Place in the "Jazz" category in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition, and Down Beat Critics Poll recognized Chie Imaizumi as a " Rising Star Composer".
Her latest CD release, “Unfailing Kindness”(Capri Records) made 10 consecutive weeks on the CMJ Jazz Top-40 Chart, the Nationally Syndicated Radio Program “Listen Here!” named Chie as “ the Greatest Women of the Jazz Future”. Chie went into the studio to record her second CD for Capri Records in Jan 2010, with jazz legends such as Randy Brecker, John Clayton, Steve Davis, Jeff Hamilton, Gary Smulyan, Terell Stafford, Steve Wilson, Scott Robinson and more.
In 2008, US Air Force Academy Band’s “Falconaires” commissioned Chie to write a piece for the Monterey Jazz Festival, one of the oldest, most respected jazz festivals in the US. She entitled the song, “Sharing the Freedom” and conducted this piece, with the Falconaires, in front of over 1,500 audience members. " I believe this performance shattered many stereotypes of not only military musicians but also shattered stereotypes of what a female Japanese jazz composer can do for international relations." Deputy Commander of the US Air Force Academy Band Mr. Jason S. Plosch said. The impetus behind this piece of music called “Sharing the Freedom” was a musical representation of how Japan/United States relations have evolved over the years since the end of World War II. Furthermore, on Sept 11th 2009, she also hosted an event, “Sharing the Freedom: A Concert of Remembrance and Hope” again with the Falconaires that featured her compositions.
Chie's commission work has also included pieces for Drummer Jeff Hamilton, the Consulate General of Japan to name a few.
Throughout her career she has also served as a copyist and/or assistant to the legendary producer Mr. Teo Macero(Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck), Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All-Star Big Band, John Clayton, Big Apple Circus to name a few.
I am quite impressed by her exceptional level of musicianship. I have not only listened to her recordings, but I have watched her conduct her compositions, rehearse and record as the leader of a large ensemble. This combination of skills is not something one sees very often and it is a breath of fresh air that I welcome at the high, professional level she embraces. The way she successfully combines her native influences with those found here in the United States is quite unique and unheard of. She impresses the highest caliber musician and audience member alike.
- John Clayton
Grammy Award Winning Bassist/Composer/Conductor
if you are in the mood for something completely original and different then this is the CD for you!
Chie Imaizumi has managed to capture Japanese sensibility, emotion and culture and mix it with creative big band writing,wonderful soloists and the Amercian Jazz tradition. The result is a unique and quite amazingl meeting of two worlds!
- Randy Brecker
Multi-Grammy Award Winning Artist
I’m impressed with her. Her music has consistency, is intelligent and resonates with joy. Also, her compositions have a lot of personality. They all have who she is in them. And, these days, that’s a rare quality. They feel really honest and are uncluttered by things meant to impress in a pretentious way. She simply doesn’t try to prove something by moving away from who she is.
- Maria Schneider - Grammy Award winning Composer/Conductor
There is an honesty and purity to her writing that touches everyone who hears it. Having recently recorded with her for her new CD, I looked around the studio of "first call" recording musicians and saw amazement and excitement to play music they had never experienced before. This music challenged everyone of these topnotch musicians who have "seen it all" before.
- Jeff Hamilton - co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Jeff Hamilton Trio and Diana Krall
Wow! Wow! What a great sense!
Wow! What a great sense of sound!
- Greg Caroll (American Jazz Museum Executive Director)
It worked!
Chie's Unfailing Kindness helped me bring my mood around.
What music - What musicians - A kindness Indeed.
I recommend unlimited listenings for whatever ails you!!
-Gary Anderson
(Composer for ABC,CBS, CNN News, Larry King's Opening music,
the theme from Bart's Favorite TV Program "The Itchy & Scratchy Show”)
I've been listening to Chie's CD repeatedly, and it is SO IMPRESSIVE!
Wonderful variety of fun, imaginative writing, superb playing by everyone,
Just a great record.
- John Crosse (Musical Director, Paul Anka)
Chie and her music has the energy of the sun, I feel.
The music that moves us forward with optism and ambitions.
I love her "Don't worry, be happy, things are not so bad, let's Dance" attitude.
She is right. As the sun finds you and keeps you warm,
Chie's music will find you and come to you with smiles.
- Tiger Okoshi (World Renowned Jazz Trumpeter, and
Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music)
Let’s hope that Imaizumi’s impressive entrée signals the emergence of a new wave of talented young jazz composers and arrangers.
- Jack Bowers (All About Jazz)
