Takeshi Asai in conversation with CJ Shearn

Hailing from Nagoya Japan, Takeshi Asai is one of New York’s busiest pianists, and a thoughtful, resourceful improviser and composer. He has a huge following in both France and his native Japan and has released 13 records on his Des Trois Cites label, most recently French Trio, Volume 2 featuring Pascal Combeau, bass and Maxime Legrand on drums, and Takeshi Asai Solo: Live in New York. I discussed these two releases with him, his approach to composition, the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi, and jazz education. My thanks to Mr. Asai for his generous, warm spirit during our interview. For adventurous tastes, he has just released an electronic album entitled Le Projet Electronique. Remember this podcast is just part of what the New York Jazz Workshop offers– pro and amateur musicians alike can learn from a world class faculty about improvisation, harmony, big band playing, jazz vocals, amongst many other topics. For the New York Jazz Workshop Podcast, I’m CJ Shearn, peace, love, groove and keep swinging, everybody!