Nicki Parrott - Sakura Sakura (2012)

Wonderfully talented jazz bassist and singer, Nicki Parrott is releasing new albums from the Japanese label Venus Records at a stunning pace, reflecting her popularity in Japan and the eagerness of the label to put out new material.

Sakura Sakura is a Japanese traditional song about cherry blossoms, which Parrott sings in very good Japanese, partly to show her appreciation for the Japanese fans, I suspect, and to show support to the survivors of the earthquake/tsunami disaster that hit Japan. A quick glance will reveal that the theme of this album is Spring, a season filled with hope and celebration of new life.

A stellar team of New York-based musicians supports the leader. Nicki's sister Lisa Parrott is prominently featured on soprano and baritone saxophone, and the participation of the great young trumpeter Dominick Farinacci is a welcome surprise. Another twist is bassist Martin Wind, who plays cello instead of his usual instrument in this album.

Tracklist:

01. April In Paris (4:18)
02. April Showers (4:55)
03. Cherry Pink And Apple Blossam White (3:35)
04. It Might As Well Be Spring (5:39)
05. Sakura Sakura (3:24)
06. Some Other Spring (5:09)
07. I Love Paris (4:53)
08. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most (4:53)
09. Spring Is Here (3:35)
10. Suddenly It's Spring (3:47)
11. There'll Be Another Spring (5:24)
12. They Say It's Spring (5:10)
13. You Must Believe In Spring (5:53)
14. I'll Remember April (4:33)

Personnel:

Nicki Parrott (bass,vocal)
John di Martino (piano)
Lisa Parrott (baritone sax,soprano sax)
Paul Meyers (guitar)
Tim Horner (drums)
Martin Wind (cello)
Dominick Farinacci (trumpet)