Featured Artist: Henry Franklin, Akeo Katsuyama, Tony Austin

CD Title: Sakura

Year: 2002

Record Label: WJ3 Records

Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic

Musicians: Henry Franklin, bass. Akeo Katsuyama, piano, composer. Tony Austin, drums.

Review: Henry Franklin is one of the finest bass performers in contemporary jazz, and in his new release, SAKURA, his talent alongside that of composer-pianist Akeo Katsuyama and drummer Tony Austin succeeds in creating a contemporary classic in the straight-ahead/classic mode of jazz. This is one of the finest trio works to appear in 2002, and the performances are superb in every aspect.

There are 11 selections on this CD. The selections are: Masao Yoneyama's "Ringo Oiwake," Johny Burke/Van Heusen's "It Could Happen to You," Drake/Fisher/Higgenbothan's "Good Morning Heartache," Bernstein/Comden/Green's "Some Other Time," Akeo Katsuyama's "Melody For Micah," John Coltrane's "Lazy Bird," Akeo Katsuyama's "No Ribs For Khalid," "Sakura" (by Zenon Gakufu Shupansha, arranged by Akeo Katsuyama), Thelonious Monk's "Ruby My Dear," Harold Land's "Short Subject," and Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life."

This CD collection should be up for awards. It has outstanding performances, memorable solo work, and is a true example of contemporary straight-ahead/classic jazz. Highly recommended to all lovers of fine jazz.

The "Lush Life" rendition is a classic take on a classic song with classic results for jazz listeners. Henry Franklin is at his finest in SAKURA as is Katsuyama and Austin. Excellent.

Reviewed by: Lee Prosser

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