Sadao Watanabe - Re-Bop (2017)

This is the first jazz album in five years by Sadao Watanabe, one of Japan's leading saxophone players, based on the theme of bebop, which is his roots. Sadao Watanabe recorded this album in New York with up-and-coming drummer Brian Braid, with whom he performed at the White House, and his old friend, pianist Silas Chestnut, and others, focusing on his own original compositions full of bebop spirit. The album also includes "Look Ahead," a duet of drums and saxophone, on which the alto saxophone plays passionately in response to Brian Blade's singing drumming; "Monica," dedicated to Brazilian singer Monica Salmaso, played in gentle tones; and "Hana wo Hana (Flowers)," with a message for Tohoku, played in a cappella on the saxophone. She will also perform "Hana wo Sakuaku (Blooming Flowers)" a cappella on saxophone at the end of the album with her thoughts on the Tohoku region.