ARTS


The Michigan Daily

Page 7

Friday, November 7, 1

986



Akiyoshi mixes jazz recipes at Ark

By Marc S. Taras
Long time Ann Arbor jazz fans
have excellent memories, so it's a
safe bet that none of them have
forgotten the two incredible U-Club
sets by pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi a
few years back. And it is also
certain that these same heads will
be in attendance at one or both of
the shows (7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m.)
that this brilliant and beautiful
composer, player and bandleader
will offer at the Ark this Saturday
night. Students and newcomers
take note: Eclipse Jazz is spon -
soring the return of a woman who
knocked us out three years ago
while she was knocked out with the
flu. The prospect of hearing the
dynamic Ms. Akiyoshi in full
health makes me tingle. It will be
a spirited event. I assure you.
Akiyoshi is not a newcomer to
the world of jazz though her Eastern
star is still on the rise. Let's say
that she arrived in Dairen,
Manchuria around the same time
that F.D.R. arrived in the White
House. She fled the country with
her family when the communists
took control of the government.
She was 15 then, and had been at
the keyboard 11 years already.
Later, while living in Beppu, on
the island of Kyushu, Akiyoshi
worked her first dance hall jobs.
She was armed with only a
knowledge of classical until a friend
alerted her to the beauty of jazz by
playing her some of Teddy
Wilson's recordings.
She went to Tokyo, working
with several groups, and rightly

gaining acclaim, became the
highest paid studio musician in
Japan. After '51 she led her own
group which was eventually heard
by Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson,
who enthusiastically urged jazz
mogul Norman Granz to record
Akiyoshi, which he did. By '56
Ashiyoshi was in Boston, studying
at the famous Berklee School of
Music. She married Charlie Mar -
iano, a sax player for Kenton, and
lived in Japan, returning to New
York in the early '60s to work with
Charles Mingos. Akiyoshi had

developed tremendous facility and
technique by then, acknowledging
Bud Powell as a major influence.
(She'll probably play some
Bud-you should hear her do "Un
Poco Loco." Whew!) She began
composing more and more during
those years.
In '67, divorced by now, she met
the brilliant sax and flute man, Lew
Tabackin, a regular in Doc
Severinsen's Tonight Show band.
They married in '69 and when the
show moved to Burbank in '72, so
did Toshiko and Lew. They formed

their award-winning Jazz Orchestra
as a vehicle for Akiyoshi's prolific
composing. Akiyoshi's skills as a
composer, arranger and bandleader
have garnered regular kudos over the
years and the orchestra's newest
release,Wishing Peace, shows her
See AKIYOSHI, Page 8


(W 4 r

Anniversary Celebration!
Sunday, November 9
20 % Off EVERYTHING
Refreshments Served
- apparel
" jewelry
- accessories

- - - 325 e. liberty - ann arbor, michigan - 995.4222 J

(6z,-) 1

I

This weekend
;enjoy

i

I

l!
,44 ", a

LITTLL

Jazz musician, Toshiko Akiyoshi, will perform tomorrow night at the
Ark.

h
Brenner
cancels
Due to an illness, comedi
vid Brenner will not appea
urday night at The Michigan,
tre as stated in The List and W
END MAGAZINE. The c
has been rescheduled for M
All tickets-will be honored.

an Da-
ar Sat -
.Thea -
WEEK -
concert
arch 7.

NIGHT
'MUSIC

A UAC MUSKET PRESENTATION

IIVOLI
- Mark The Date For November's
. TI VOLT FASHION SHOW
Fashions by Her Favorite Things, a Kerrytown
* shop, featuring holiday gift ideas for her.
Hair and make-up by Audi Hays
NOVEMBER 19
12:00 noon to 2:00 pm
Reservations Suggested
And stop by any day to enjoy our recently expanded
* menu. You'll find old favorites and well as new taste
treats, including our New Orleans (Cajun) Omelet,
and of course we continue to offer our popular
* daily specials such as Clam Chowder, Beef Stew,
Chicken Dijon, and others. Other suprises
are in store for you. . . so watch
* for further announcements!
-

NOV.6,7,8

8:00pm

POWER CENTER
FOR MORE INFO, CALL 763-1107

STUDENT
SEATING
ONLY $3.00


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