福居良 Ryo Fukui – Ryo Fukui Trio At The Slowboat 2004 (2CD)

This is what I call an unexpected pleasure. This is Ryo Fukui's "new work". The recording was made on June 26, 2004. It is an actual recording of a live performance to commemorate the 9th anniversary of the jazz live house "Slow Port," which Fukui presided over and was the base of his activities. The trio consisted of Fukui, Benisuke Sakai (bass), and Yoshito Eto (drums). Fukui was 56 years old at the time. The performance is powerful and large in scale, yet delicate and sharp at the same time. In terms of the balance of energy, stamina, and technique, this was a time when he was approaching maturity. He spun his beloved Phineas Newborn, Jr. and Tommy Flanagan with a profound and lustrous quality, and thrillingly played Wayne Shorter, to whom he had devoted his younger days. Slow Boat, which opened in June 1995, celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025. (C)RS