Tsuyoshi Ichikawa - The Solo Guitar of Tsuyoshi Ichikawa (2008)

Although in his forties at the time of these recording sessions, this solo date marked the first release by Japanese jazz guitarist Tsuyoshi Ichikawa under his own name. He had studied earlier with guitarist Ted Greene for four years and played with a number of artists in California during the mid-'90s before returning to live and work in Japan. Tackling nine familiar tunes, two of which are heard in a medley (the Disney songs "When You Wish Upon a Star" and the venerable favorite "Someday My Prince Will Come"), Ichikawa's style emphasizes lyricism in his intricate arrangements over merely showing off technique, though his chops are readily apparent. His magical setting of the bossa nova "Dindi" is full of lush inner voicings, while his bluesy take of "Willow Weep for Me" is slowly savored. With so many recordings available of "'Round Midnight," this jazz standard presents a special challenge, though Ichikawa delivers with a spacious, dramatic interpretation.