HIROAKI HONSHUKU: Hiro Honshuku and A-NO-NE Christmas ~ volume 2 ~

Hiroaki Honshuku

Hiro Honshuku and A-NO-NE Christmas ~ volume 2 ~

© 2004 A-NO-NE Music (711517677820)

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International groove jazz influenced by Brazilian rhythms

notes

"Honshuku's playing is creative and forceful, as he waves unique melodic lines over the standard and not so standard pieces he chooses to play. His compositions are fresh and innovative. He doesn't rely on 'safe' harmonies or chord changes, and strives to break away from the standard meters of time that most people choose to play in. Most importantly however, is that he is a jazz flutist and that he does it with a great deal of skill and pride."
- jonah berman, Denebola

"Flautist and EWI expert Hiroaki Honshuku was the definition of versatility, zinging agile flute solos at one moment then adding subtle textures the next"
- jonathan babu, Northeast Performer Magazine

"Honshuku's improvisations were generally quite inventive, his tone was warm and full and his technique reflected the classical training he received in Japan.
- ken kufferl jr., The Patriot Ledger

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Hiro Honshuku was first introduced to jazz in 1985 while teaching music at the US Naval Base in Yokosuka, Japan. Two years later, Hiro came to Boston area. He started at Berklee College of music as a scholarship student in January 1987. By the fall, he was also accepted to New England Conservatory as a scholarship graduate student. He has studied with George Russell, Thomas McKinley, Dave Holland, Bob Moses, George Garzone, and Matthew Marvuglio. Hiro was chosen leader of the 1990 New England Conservatory Honors Jazz Quintet, which performed throughout Massachusetts.

In May 1990, Hiro graduated simultaneously from Berklee College of Music and New England Conservatory. He received Summa Cum Laude for his Diploma of Music at Berklee as a performance major. He received Academic Honors and Distinction in Performance for his Master of Music at New England Conservatory as a Jazz Composition major. Beside being very active playing in Boston jazz clubs, he has been busy teaching in the Boston area. Since graduation, he had taught at New England Conservatory.

Hiro has been an assistant director for George Russell at New England Conservatory since 1987. He was invited as a assistant conductor and a flutist for Russell's 1998 Europe tour.

Hiro has also played with Mike Stern, Dave Liebman, Mick Goodrick, Dave Weckl, Tiger Okoshi, George Russell, George Garzone, Maria Schneider, Bob Moses, and Tom McKinley. Hiro has recorded two CDs with Ken Schaphorst Big Band as well as performing at jazz clubs. He also recorded "Are You Blue" with his own group A-NO-NE Band in 1994.

Since Hiro joined Brazilian group, Manga-Rosa led by Sergio Brandão in 1992, he is also active performing and recording in Brazilian music scene including Teresa Inês Group, Zabumbatuq led by Leonardo Cioglia, Gilson Schachnik Group, and many others. He is also a regular member of a jazz ensemble, Chester Brezniak Group and a contemporary improvisational ensemble, Klaresque Ensemble led by Ernesto Klar.

The nature of the A-NO-NE Band varies according to the performance. This concept was started by Hiro at the end of 1987 when he realized he wanted to be a strong composer. He made a list of good musicians around the Boston area, and tried to organize different size bands and different types of music for several concerts. The A-NO-NE Band can be a small Jazz group, Avant-garde, Funk Fusion and even a Big Band. All of the selections of the A-NO-NE Band are written by Hiro. Because of the success in four A-NO-NE Big Band concerts, he was invited to Paris as a guest conductor in June 1990, and his newly formed big band "Boston Blazing Jazz Orchestra" was invited to Jazz Festival in Kyoto '94 for a week long performance hosted by Geila Zilkha.

Hiro still keeps his classical music activity. Among those, he was invited for a recital at Paroisse de la Trinité, Paris, France, where he performed his own compositions dedicated to Messiaen.

Summer, 1998

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  • Sophisticated, yet accessible flute-centric jazz quartet
    author: Carol Swanson

    So frustrating. Masterful flutist Hiro Honshuku presents his A-NO-NE Christmas: Volume 2, and it is a jazzy gem. So where on earth is the elusive Volume 1? If you are a fan of instrumental jazz for the holidays, Honshuku will undoubtedly rock your world. He plays the flute with a light, spirited, and inventive touch. And his skills do not end there; Honshuku plays numerous other instruments and is an EWI wizard. His artistry is evident throughout. All eight cuts on this generous CD (over 53 minutes) are familiar holiday numbers, but in the hands of this intimate band, the pieces are lively and fresh. The jazz improvisations never stray so far that the listener is cut completely adrift. The playing is sophisticated, yet accessible. The mood fluctuates somewhat from piece to piece. Most reflect a playful jazz feel warmed by Brazilian flavors. Gentleman, on the other hand, has a driving bass line that evokes a harder rock mentality, and this is probably my favorite cut. Perhaps the most challenging number is the multi-layered, inspired Maria, which is also the longest at almost 11 minutes. Look carefully in the dictionary. Hiro Honshuku and A-NO-NE Christmas, Volume 2 defines "cool." Nicely done! --Carol Swanson (Reviewed in 2006)

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