The connection between Jazz and me has continued for nearly 35 years
or more now.
From childhood, my house was full of the sounds of Classical music because
my mother was a piano teacher, and I grew up with this as a life sound.
Since infancy, I had difficulty playing classical music that had to be
performed
in a precise way, although I was easily able to play the familiar tunes without
sheet music (by ear) but I felt more than a little uncomfortable with
the classical form.
This is how my mother came to see the scene of me, playing the tunes by
improvisation in my own way.
"Classical music is unsuitable for my daughter !"
she said,and she forcibly threw me into the world of Pop music (Yamaha
Organ).
At first, I was confused about her act, but there is no child who wouldn't
become
crazy about a big toy of an electric keyboard filled with the latest technology.
I naturally became a prisoner of this instrument too, and I had a strong
inclination
toward the world in which it is possible to perform with a rich individual sense and
free method.
Then the person who taught me the Yamaha organ introduced me into the world
of Jazz.
It is not an exaggeration to say that the impact of the Jazz sounds, which I never knew
before, changed my life.
My canvas, which was as pure as white snow, was at once dyed in the color
of Jazz.
This experience became a motivation to go on to the Music Academy.
Then,when I had the opportunity of marriage, I became a full time housewife,
but the dream I had been holding since before was gone, withering little
by little.
That dream was to arrange music for Jazz Big Band, the most eminent ability
for
students who study Jazz.
To produce an arranged tune with my poor knowledge, for Jazz musicians who
were strong in their belief and loved to criticize, would take a lot of
nerve.
It is not a thing that can be easily done. Precise advanced knowledge,
skill, and sense of refined taste are essential to the Big Band arrangement.
" So, what could I do ??????"
"Surprise !!"
At last my dream came true in Vancouver !!!
What wonderful thing !!
I was helped by the network of my best friend, Wendy.
In those days, she had been having private lessons on the Yamaha organ.
(Introducing it in Episode 5-E. S. L Part2)
One day her teacher asked to meet me.
It was the time when I had begun to compose with my computer through Daniel's
influence.
The teacher had been interested in me, because Wendy told him about my
computer music.
His name was Chuck and he worked at the music store downtown.
At my house, I played my original songs for him and we performed together.
When we were engrossed in a music chat, he slowly told me that his special
musical instrument was not the electronic organ but were flute & saxophone
and he belonged to the Jazz Big Band of North Shore of Vancouver.
They practiced once a week, and they were looking for a person who could
play the piano because they had no pianist that time.
And he added,
"If you are interested, join us as the pianist !!!"
I am a person, who knows more than others about the severity and the difficulty
of Jazz,so I was aware that it was difficult to play the piano
with my poor skill and what's more,I had not been practicing the piano
for a long time.
"I can't play the piano but if I arrange the Band music, doing my best,
would they perform my song?"
I asked him impudently.
"Why don't you visit us first !!"
Chuck said to me with a smiling face.
"A person away from home should feel no shame"
People can be in an expansive mood when in a foreign country and they
can behave more boldly than usual.
I guess that everyone has this tendency.
But how could I become one who was this impudent?
For 5 years, after the first day of visiting the Band,I played as the
regular pianist in their Band.
