Masabumi Kikuchi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Masabumi Kikuchi
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Masabumi Kikuchi |
| Also known as | Poo Sun |
| Born | 19 October 1939 Tokyo, Japan |
| Died | 6 July 2015 (aged 75) Manhasset, New York, United States |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Associated acts | Gil Evans Lionel Hampton Woody Herman Sonny Rollins Mal Waldron |
Masabumi Kikuchi (菊地 雅章, Kikuchi Masabumi, 19 October 1939 – 6 July 2015) was a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. He was known for his special and unique way of playing the piano. He worked with many different famous musicians. These included Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Gary Peacock, and Paul Motian. He also worked closely with Gil Evans and Tōru Takemitsu.
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About Masabumi Kikuchi
Masabumi Kikuchi was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1939. When he was young, his family moved away from Tokyo. This was after the city was heavily bombed in 1945. They settled in a countryside area called Aizuwakamatsu.
He went to the Tokyo Art College High School to study music. While he was a student, he started buying old records. These records were likely left behind by American soldiers. He was greatly inspired by jazz legends like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk. After finishing school, he joined Lionel Hampton's band. This band was touring Japan at the time. He later formed his own group, a quintet, with Terumasa Hino. Soon after, he won a scholarship. This allowed him to go to the Berklee College of Music in the United States.
Masabumi Kikuchi passed away on July 6, 2015. He died in a hospital in Manhasset, New York. He was living in Manhattan, New York City, at the time.
His Music Albums
Masabumi Kikuchi created many albums throughout his career. Here are some of his most important works.
Albums as the Main Artist
These are albums where Masabumi Kikuchi was the leader.
| Year recorded | Title | Label | Year released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Matrix | Victor | 1969 | Recorded with his sextet, the Victor Modern Jazz Sextet. |
| 1970 | Re-confirmation | Philips | 1970 | A sextet recording. |
| 1970 | Poo-Sun | Philips | 1970 | Features Kosuke Mine on saxophone and Hideo Ichikawa on electric piano. |
| 1972 | Masabumi Kikuchi with Gil Evans | Philips | 1972 | A special collaboration with the famous conductor and pianist Gil Evans. |
| 1974 | East Wind | East Wind | 1974 | Recorded with Terumasa Hino on trumpet and Eric Gravatt on drums. |
| 1978 | But Not for Me | Flying Disk | 1978 | Features Gary Peacock on bass and Al Foster on drums. |
| 1980–81 | Susto | CBS/Sony | 1981 | Includes many musicians like Terumasa Hino and Steve Grossman. |
| 1983–86? | Earth (地, Chi) | Geronimo | 1988 | Part of his "Six Elements" series. He played solo synthesizer on this album. |
| 1989 | Attached (未練, Miren) | transheart | 1989 | A solo piano album. |
| 2009 | Sunrise | ECM | 2012 | A trio album with Thomas Morgan on bass and Paul Motian on drums. |
| 2012 | Black Orpheus | ECM | 2016 | A solo piano album recorded live in concert. |
Albums as a Co-Leader
Masabumi Kikuchi also worked with other musicians as a co-leader.
- With Gary Peacock and Hiroshi Murakami: Eastward (1970)
- With Hōzan Yamamoto: Ginkai (1971)
- With Masahiko Togashi and Gary Peacock: Poesy: The Man Who Keeps Washing His Hands (1971)
- With Elvin Jones: Hollow Out (1973)
- With Terumasa Hino and Masahiko Togashi: Triple Helix (1993)
- As part of P.M.P. (with Marc Johnson and Paul Motian): Miles Mode (1993). This album was a tribute to Miles Davis.
Albums as a Group Member
Masabumi Kikuchi was also a member of several important music groups.
Kochi
This group included Al Foster, Anthony Jackson, Dave Liebman, and Terumasa Hino.
- Wishes (1976)
Tethered Moon
This was a trio with Paul Motian and Gary Peacock.
- First Meeting (1997)
- Tethered Moon (1992)
- Plays Jimi Hendrix+ (1997)
- Tethered Moon Play Kurt Weill (1995)
Slash Trio
This trio included Masaaki Kikuchi and Tatsuya Yoshida.
- Slash 1° (2001)
- Slash 2° (2002)
Albums as a Supporting Musician
Masabumi Kikuchi played piano on many albums for other artists.
- With Gil Evans: Gil Evans Live at the Royal Festival Hall London 1978 (1979)
- With Joe Henderson: Joe Henderson and Kikuchi, Hino in Concert (1974)
- With Terumasa Hino: Hino=Kikuchi Quintet (1969)
- With Paul Motian: Trio 2000 + One (1997) and the Live at the Village Vanguard series (2006)
- With Mal Waldron: Mal: Live 4 to 1 (1971)
