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ROOTED: Origins of NOW at HotHouse 5/25 |
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Written by Ronaldo Oregano
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Sunday, 20 May 2007 |
 Tatsu Aoki
Citing "ROOTED" as the most important work of his career, Tatsu Aoki was recently named one of 16 inspirational "Chicagoans of the year" by the Chicago Tribune (December 30, 2001.) The Tribune stated that "ROOTED" had "come into its own as an eloquent, often dramatic merger of ancient Japanese music and experimental American jazz."
"ROOTED: Origins of Now," is a four-suite, approximately 50-minute piece, which featured for its world premiere on August 26, 2001, a 12-piece big band in performance at Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chicago's Chinatown. Subsequent full house performances followed on September 1, 2001 at the Chicago Jazz Fest in Grant Park, and on October 27, 2001 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and as the highlight of Asian American Jazz Festival 2001: Chicago.
Tatsu Aoki is one of the most recorded, talked-about bassists on the Chicago music scene. A prolific artist, composer, musician, educator and a consummate bassist, he works in a wide range of musical styles, ranging from traditional Asian music and jazz, to creative free and experimental music.
Aoki is founder and artistic director of the Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival, which debuted in October 1996 and had six straight successful seasons. Currently national in scope, the annual event is now known as "Asian American Jazz," and is held in several cities (San Francisco, Chicago). The 2002 Chicago celebration is scheduled for late October.
Aoki has recorded seven solo bass albums, eight duet albums with various other artists, 13 ensemble works, and has appeared as a guest artist on over 60 other albums internationally. With works ranging from solo to larger ensemble, from mainstream to avant garde, Aoki has worked with many musical legends, including Fred Anderson, Von Freeman, George Freeman, Malachi Favors Maghostut, Don Moye, Mwata Bowden, Jhon Watson, Sonny Seals, Eric Leonardson, Francis Wong and Carol Genetti. Among the variety of works produced in the last 15 years, his solo bass performance and recordings are internationally acclaimed.
Aoki, who was named president of Asian Improv Records (AIR) in 1999, served as executive producer on Anthony Brown's Asian American Orchestra piece, Ellington-Strayhorn's "Far East Suite," (AIR0053), for which the label received a Grammy Award nomination in 1999.
As a producer, Aoki has produced over 30 albums, including the legendary Max Roach and Jon Jang’s “Beijing Trio,” (AIR 0044), as well as projects in the hip hop arena, and a number of other projects in the Asian Pacific American arts, such as film and concert series.
Aoki is behind a number of other significant projects in the arts, including recordings, film and concert series. Born in Japan the son of artisans, Tatsu Aoki is a graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he received bachelor and master of fine arts degrees, and where he is currently an assistant professor in film.
"ROOTED: Origins of Now" the CD (S-SSD 0092 October 2001) is a project of The Jazz Institute of Chicago Sound Archive and Recordings, and is available via distributors SOUTHPORT and Asian Improv Records.
MIYUMI Project presents: ROOTED: Origins of NOW at HotHouse on May 25th, at 8:00pm. Tickets are $10 in Advance $12 day of show Non-smoking show HotHouse Members Free (21 & Over). HotHouse is located at 31 E Balbo Ave. Visit them at www.hothouse.net or call 312 362-9707.
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 Monday, 01 December 2008
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